The CHST14 antibody is a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody designed to detect the CHST14 (carbohydrate sulfotransferase 14) protein, an enzyme critical for dermatan sulfate biosynthesis. CHST14 is encoded by the CHST14 gene located on chromosome 15, and its dysfunction is linked to musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (mcEDS), a rare connective tissue disorder . This antibody is widely used in research to study CHST14’s role in extracellular matrix formation, cancer progression, and neural development.
CHST14 catalyzes the transfer of sulfate to position 4 of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) residues in dermatan sulfate, stabilizing glycosaminoglycan structures . Its molecular weight is approximately 43 kDa, and it is primarily located in the cytoplasm and cell membrane . Mutations in CHST14 impair dermatan sulfate production, disrupting collagen fibril formation and extracellular matrix integrity .
The CHST14 antibody is validated for multiple experimental techniques, including:
Western Blotting (WB): Detects CHST14 in cell lysates and tissue samples (e.g., HEK-293, HepG2 cells) .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Stains CHST14 in human tissues like placenta, brain, and kidney .
ELISA/ICC-IF: Used for protein quantification and subcellular localization studies .
Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (mcEDS): Homozygous CHST14 mutations cause mcEDS, characterized by congenital malformations, joint laxity, and tissue fragility .
Cancer: Overexpression of CHST14 is linked to gastric cancer progression via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway .
CHST14 deficiency impairs neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation in vitro and in vivo, affecting adult hippocampal neurogenesis . Its role in dermatan sulfate synthesis influences radial glial cell composition and Notch signaling .
The CHST14 antibody exhibits high specificity in detecting endogenous protein across tissues. For example:
Western Blot: Detects a 43–50 kDa band, consistent with CHST14’s molecular weight .
Immunohistochemistry: Requires antigen retrieval with TE buffer (pH 9.0) or citrate buffer (pH 6.0) .
CHST14, full name carbohydrate (N-acetylgalactosamine 4-0) sulfotransferase 14, is a critical enzyme for the biosynthesis of dermatan sulfate (DS) in vivo. It specifically catalyzes the transfer of a sulfate group from the sulfate donor 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate to the C-4 position of the GalNAc residue in DS chains . This post-translational modification is essential for the proper function of proteoglycans that regulate collagen fibrils through their interaction. CHST14 has a calculated molecular weight of 376 amino acids (43 kDa), although it typically appears at 45-50 kDa in experimental conditions . Mutations in the CHST14 gene cause musculocontractural type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (mcEDS-CHST14), characterized by joint and skin hyperextensibility and fragility of various organs .
The CHST14 antibody (such as the 17749-1-AP polyclonal antibody) has been validated for multiple research applications:
| Application | Recommended Dilution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot (WB) | 1:500-1:1000 | Validated in multiple publications |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | 1:20-1:200 | Positive detection in human placenta, brain, kidney, and spleen tissues |
| ELISA | Application-specific | Validated but specific dilutions depend on protocol |
It is recommended that researchers titrate this reagent in their specific testing systems to obtain optimal results, as the optimal dilution can be sample-dependent . When using this antibody for research requiring high specificity, validation experiments should be conducted for your specific tissue or cell type.
The CHST14 antibody has been tested and validated to react with samples from multiple species:
| Tested Reactivity | Status |
|---|---|
| Human | Positive |
| Mouse | Positive |
| Rat | Positive |
While the antibody has been cited primarily in human research applications, the cross-reactivity with mouse and rat samples makes it valuable for comparative studies and animal models of disease . This cross-species reactivity is particularly useful when studying CHST14 in knockout mouse models as described in research on placental development and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome .
CHST14 has been implicated in cancer progression, particularly in gastric cancer where it demonstrates elevated expression. Research protocols using CHST14 antibody for cancer studies typically include:
Expression analysis: CHST14 antibody (17749-1-AP at 1:1000 dilution) has been used to analyze protein expression levels in cancer cells versus normal tissue through immunoblotting techniques .
Functional studies: After CHST14 knockdown using siRNA (sense: GCAGGCGACGAUGUCACAUTT, antisense: AUGUGACAUCGUCGCCUGCTT), the antibody can detect decreased protein expression, confirming successful knockdown before proceeding with functional assays .
Pathway analysis: CHST14 antibody has been used in conjunction with antibodies against downstream markers like β-catenin, C-myc, CyclinD1, Snail, MMP2, and MMP9 to elucidate signaling pathways affected by CHST14 manipulation .
Immunohistochemistry in tumors: IHC protocols using CHST14 antibody can evaluate expression patterns in tumor tissues, with scoring based on both staining intensity and percentage of positive cells .
A comprehensive cancer research approach would combine CHST14 protein detection with RT-qPCR using primers such as: 5ʹ-TACCACCTGTGCCAGCCTTGT-3ʹ and 5ʹ-GAAATCGGACGTGAGGTGGTG-3ʹ for expression validation at both protein and mRNA levels .
Investigating CHST14's role in dermatan sulfate biosynthesis requires multiple complementary approaches:
Genetic models: Utilize Chst14 gene-deleted models (Chst14−/−) to study the functional consequences of CHST14 deficiency. These models can reveal critical information about DS biosynthesis and its biological significance .
Glycosaminoglycan analysis: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be employed to analyze disaccharide composition after enzymatic digestion with chondroitinase B (for DS moiety) or chondroitinase AC (for CS moiety) .
Quantitative comparison: Compare DS and CS disaccharide content between wild-type, heterozygous, and homozygous CHST14 knockout samples. The CHST14−/− samples typically show significantly decreased DS disaccharides while CS disaccharides remain relatively unchanged .
Sample data from placental tissue analysis shows these differences:
| Disaccharide Component | Chst14 +/+ | Chst14 +/− | Chst14 −/− |
|---|---|---|---|
| ΔHexUA-GalNAc(4S) | 1182.0 ± 147.0 | 1186.6 ± 137.6 | 768.8 ± 303.5 |
These differences reflect CHST14's specific role in dermatan sulfate synthesis rather than chondroitin sulfate production .
When investigating CHST14 in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome research, consider these experimental design principles:
Model selection: Although Chst14−/− mice were developed as potential models for mcEDS-CHST14, the high perinatal lethality limits their use as adult models. Therefore, placental analysis or conditional knockout approaches may be more practical .
Vascular abnormality assessment: Since large subcutaneous hematomas are a serious complication in mcEDS-CHST14, focus on vascular structure analysis using:
Collagen structure analysis: Evaluate the impact of DS deficiency on collagen fibril organization using electron microscopy and mechanical property tests, as DS is involved in regulating collagen fibrils through proteoglycan interactions .
Proteoglycan analysis: Analyze changes in proteoglycans that contain DS side chains, particularly biglycan, which directly interacts with collagen fibrils .
Immunohistochemical staining: Use CHST14 antibody at 1:20-1:200 dilution with proper antigen retrieval methods (TE buffer pH 9.0 or citrate buffer pH 6.0) to assess protein expression in relevant tissues .
To achieve optimal Western blot results with CHST14 antibody, follow these methodological considerations:
Sample preparation:
Gel electrophoresis and transfer:
Use 10-12% SDS-PAGE gels for optimal separation around the 45-50 kDa range
Transfer to nitrocellulose membranes at 100V for 60-90 minutes in cold transfer buffer
Antibody incubation:
Detection and troubleshooting:
For effective immunohistochemical detection of CHST14, consider these methodological approaches:
Tissue preparation and antigen retrieval:
Antibody dilution optimization:
Detection system selection:
Use detection systems appropriate for rabbit IgG antibodies
Consider amplification systems for low-abundance targets
Result evaluation:
Proper validation of CHST14 antibody specificity requires systematic inclusion of controls:
Positive controls:
Negative controls:
Primary antibody omission control
Isotype control (rabbit IgG at equivalent concentration)
CHST14 knockdown samples: Cells transfected with CHST14 siRNA (sequence: sense: GCAGGCGACGAUGUCACAUTT, antisense: AUGUGACAUCGUCGCCUGCTT)
Tissue from Chst14−/− animal models, noting significant reduction in signal
Specificity validation approaches:
Cross-reactivity assessment:
CHST14 has been implicated in cancer cell migration and invasion, making these functional assays particularly relevant:
Migration assay protocol:
First, perform CHST14 knockdown using siRNA transfection (48h duration)
Confirm knockdown efficiency by Western blot using CHST14 antibody (1:1000 dilution)
Seed cells in migration chambers with serum-free medium (200μL)
After appropriate incubation time (typically 48h), fix cells with methanol for 30 minutes
Invasion assay protocol:
Data analysis considerations:
To comprehensively investigate CHST14's role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer progression:
Protein expression analysis:
Use CHST14 antibody (1:1000 dilution) to assess baseline expression in various cancer cell lines
Compare with EMT markers using antibodies against:
Gene expression correlation:
Functional rescue experiments:
After CHST14 knockdown, introduce wild-type CHST14 to confirm phenotype rescue
Alternatively, introduce mutant CHST14 (similar to those found in mcEDS-CHST14 patients) to investigate mechanism
In vivo validation:
When faced with contradictory results in CHST14 expression studies, consider these analytical approaches:
Technical considerations:
Antibody specificity: Ensure the CHST14 antibody (17749-1-AP) has been properly validated
Detection method sensitivity: Western blot may show different results than IHC due to different sensitivities
Sample preparation variations: Different fixation methods can affect epitope accessibility
Biological considerations:
Tissue-specific expression: CHST14 expression varies across tissues; placenta, brain, kidney, and spleen show positive results
Disease state variations: CHST14 may be upregulated in certain pathological conditions like gastric cancer
Developmental stage differences: Expression in Chst14+/+, Chst14+/−, and Chst14−/− models shows significant variation
Data reconciliation approaches:
Multi-method validation: Combine protein detection (Western blot, IHC) with mRNA analysis (RT-qPCR)
Quantitative assessment: Use scoring systems for IHC and normalized band intensity for Western blots
Functional validation: Correlate expression levels with relevant functional outcomes (e.g., DS synthesis capacity)
Meta-analysis: Compare your results with published data from TCGA and GEO databases
Statistical considerations:
Several emerging research directions could benefit from CHST14 antibody applications:
Therapeutic target validation:
Use CHST14 antibody to evaluate target engagement in drug development studies
Monitor changes in CHST14 expression after treatment with potential therapeutic compounds
Validate CHST14 as a biomarker for disease progression or treatment response
Developmental biology:
Extracellular matrix biology:
Examine how CHST14 expression correlates with collagen organization and ECM structure
Use co-localization studies with CHST14 antibody and ECM components
Investigate the relationship between CHST14, dermatan sulfate production, and tissue biomechanics
Expanded disease associations:
Beyond mcEDS-CHST14 and gastric cancer, explore CHST14's potential role in other disorders
Investigate vascular abnormalities in different pathological conditions
Consider CHST14's involvement in wound healing and tissue repair processes