CK1 antibodies are monoclonal or polyclonal immunoreagents designed to detect specific isoforms of the CK1 serine/threonine kinase family, which includes CK1α, CK1δ, and CK1ε. These antibodies are widely used in research for applications such as Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) .
CK1 isoforms are implicated in oncogenic pathways, making their antibodies essential for mechanistic studies:
Hematological Cancers: CK1δ/ε inhibitors (e.g., umbralisib) block Wnt-5A/ROR1 signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) .
Glioma: High CK1 expression correlates with tumor grade and poor survival, driving proliferation via the AKT-MMP2 pathway .
AML/MDS: Selective CK1α degraders (e.g., SJ3149) induce apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) by stabilizing p53 .
CK1δ regulates mitotic checkpoints by interacting with CDC2/CDK1 and Wee1, influencing microtubule stability and centrosome positioning .
The CK1α isoform (UniProt: P48729) undergoes extensive PTMs, which modulate its activity and interactions :
PTM Site | Modification Type | Functional Impact |
---|---|---|
S218 | Phosphorylation | Regulated by PKA; impacts kinase activity |
Y274 | Phosphorylation | Linked to DNA damage response |
K138 | Ubiquitination | Associated with proteasomal degradation |
A2, K8 | Acetylation | Modulates protein stability |
Compound | Target Isoform | Mechanism | Stage | Cancer Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Umbralisib | CK1ε/PI3Kδ | Dual inhibitor | Clinical trials | CLL, NHL |
SJ3149 | CK1α | PROTAC degrader | Preclinical | AML, solid tumors |
IC261 | CK1δ/ε | ATP-competitive inhibitor | Preclinical | Breast cancer |
SJ3149 achieves DC₅₀ (degradation concentration) of 6 nM for CK1α, outperforming lenalidomide in AML models .
CK1δ/ε inhibitors reduce minus-end microtubule transport in melanophores, affecting organelle trafficking .
CK1 antibodies are rigorously validated for specificity:
Western Blot: AF4569 detects CK1α at 38 kDa in HCT116 cells, with knockdown validation .
Immunoprecipitation: CK1ε antibody (#12448) confirms isoform-specific binding in HEK293 lysates .
IHC: BF0141 demonstrates reactivity in paraffin-embedded human tissues .
Antibody | Validation Method | Result |
---|---|---|
AF4569 | WB, ICC | 36–38 kDa band; reduced signal in CK1α-KO cells |
#2655 | WB | 34 kDa band in human, mouse, rat lysates |
Question: How can I validate the specificity and efficacy of a CK1 antibody in my research? Answer: To validate a CK1 antibody, use a combination of techniques such as western blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. Employ knockout cell lines and isogenic parental controls to assess specificity and sensitivity. This approach helps in identifying high-quality antibodies that can detect CK1 proteins effectively across different applications .
Question: What strategies can I use to resolve contradictory data when using different CK1 antibodies? Answer: When encountering contradictory data, consider the following strategies:
Cross-validation: Use multiple antibodies from different sources to validate findings.
Cell Line Controls: Utilize knockout or knockdown cell lines as negative controls to assess antibody specificity.
Experimental Conditions: Ensure consistent experimental conditions across different assays.
Literature Review: Consult existing literature for similar observations or methodological insights .
Question: How can I ensure that my CK1 antibody specifically targets the desired CK1 isoform? Answer: To achieve isoform specificity, select antibodies that have been validated for the specific CK1 isoform you are interested in. Use techniques like immunoblotting with isoform-specific peptides or knockout cell lines to confirm specificity. Additionally, consult the manufacturer's data on cross-reactivity and species reactivity .
Question: What are the best practices for using CK1 antibodies in immunofluorescence assays? Answer: For optimal results in immunofluorescence:
Fixation and Permeabilization: Optimize fixation and permeabilization protocols to preserve antigenicity.
Blocking and Washing: Use appropriate blocking agents and washing conditions to minimize background.
Antibody Concentration: Titrate the antibody to find the optimal concentration.
Control Experiments: Include negative controls (e.g., secondary antibody alone) and positive controls (e.g., known CK1-expressing cells) .
Question: How do I choose a CK1 antibody that works across different species? Answer: When selecting a CK1 antibody for use in different species, consider the following:
Sequence Homology: Check the amino acid sequence homology between the species of interest.
Manufacturer's Data: Consult the manufacturer's information on cross-reactivity with other species.
Experimental Validation: Validate the antibody's performance in each species using appropriate controls .
Question: How can CK1 antibodies be used to study disease pathology, particularly in cancer? Answer: CK1 antibodies can be used to investigate CK1 expression levels and localization in cancer tissues. Techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence can provide insights into CK1's role in disease progression. Additionally, co-staining with other markers can help understand interactions between CK1 and other signaling pathways .
Question: What are common issues encountered when using CK1 antibodies, and how can they be addressed? Answer: Common issues include non-specific binding and low signal intensity. To address these:
Optimize Antibody Concentration: Titrate the antibody to find the optimal concentration.
Improve Sample Preparation: Ensure proper fixation, permeabilization, and blocking.
Use Appropriate Controls: Include negative and positive controls to validate results .
Question: How can CK1 antibodies be integrated into high-throughput screening assays for drug discovery? Answer: CK1 antibodies can be used in high-throughput assays like ELISA or fluorescence-based assays to screen for compounds that modulate CK1 activity or expression. This involves optimizing assay conditions, using appropriate controls, and integrating with automated screening platforms .
Question: What are the future directions in CK1 research, particularly in terms of antibody development and therapeutic applications? Answer: Future research should focus on developing isoform-specific antibodies and inhibitors with improved specificity and reduced off-target effects. Additionally, exploring CK1's role in various diseases beyond cancer, such as neurodegenerative disorders, could uncover new therapeutic avenues .
Antibody | Western Blot | Immunoprecipitation | Immunofluorescence |
---|---|---|---|
Antibody 1 | + | + | + |
Antibody 2 | - | - | - |
Antibody 3 | + | + | - |
Note: "+" indicates successful detection, and "-" indicates failure to detect CK1.