Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody is a polyclonal antibody that specifically detects endogenous levels of the activated Integrin Alpha 5 Light Chain (ITGA5 LC) protein fragment resulting from proteolytic cleavage adjacent to glutamic acid at position 895 (E895) . This antibody recognizes the cleaved form rather than the intact protein, making it valuable for studying integrin activation and processing events. The specificity comes from the immunogen design, which utilizes a synthesized peptide derived from the C-terminal region of human ITGA5, typically within the amino acid range of 876-925 .
To validate specificity in your experiments, consider these methodological approaches:
Run parallel Western blots comparing cleaved versus non-cleaved samples
Include positive controls where ITGA5 cleavage is known to occur
Implement peptide competition assays with the immunizing peptide to confirm binding specificity
The ITGA5 gene encodes a preproprotein that undergoes post-translational cleavage in the extracellular domain to yield disulfide-linked light and heavy chains . The cleavage at E895 is particularly significant as it represents a key activation step. Proteolytic processing by PCSK5 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 5) mediates activation of the precursor . This processing enables the alpha 5 chain to associate with the beta 1 chain to form a functional fibronectin receptor (α5β1 integrin) .
The significance of this cleavage includes:
Regulation of integrin activation state
Modulation of binding affinity to extracellular matrix components
Influence on downstream signaling cascades
Potential role in cell migration, adhesion, and invasion
Based on extensive validation data, Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody is primarily recommended for Western Blot (WB) and ELISA applications . For optimal results in these applications, follow these methodological recommendations:
Western Blot Recommendations:
Dilution range: 1:500-1:3000 (optimize for your specific sample type)
Expected molecular weight: ~18kDa (observed in 293 cells), though the calculated molecular weight is approximately 115kDa for the full-length protein
Include positive controls (e.g., cell lines known to express cleaved ITGA5)
Consider gradient gels (10-20%) to effectively resolve the cleaved fragment
ELISA Recommendations:
Coating concentration: 1-10 μg/ml of capture antibody
Blocking: 1-5% BSA in PBS is typically effective
Detection system: HRP or AP-conjugated secondary antibodies work well
To maintain optimal activity of Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody, follow these evidence-based storage and handling recommendations:
Aliquot upon first thaw to avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles that can degrade antibody activity
The antibody is typically provided in liquid form in PBS containing 50% glycerol, 0.5% BSA (or 0.5% protective protein), and 0.02% sodium azide, pH 7.4
For short-term storage (less than 1 month), 4°C is acceptable
Centrifuge the vial before opening to ensure recovery of all contents
Avoid contamination by using sterile technique when handling
Proper control design is essential for interpreting results with Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody. Consider implementing these methodological approaches:
Positive Controls:
293 cells, which have been validated to express the cleaved form (~18kDa band)
Cells treated with agents known to induce ITGA5 cleavage (e.g., certain proteases or activators)
Recombinant cleaved ITGA5 protein fragments (if available)
Negative Controls:
Cells with ITGA5 knockdown (siRNA or CRISPR)
Pre-immune serum at equivalent concentration to primary antibody
Primary antibody pre-absorbed with immunizing peptide
Secondary antibody only (to detect non-specific binding)
Validation Approach:
Run parallel samples with cleaved and non-cleaved conditions
Confirm specificity using peptide competition assays
Validate using multiple detection methods (e.g., WB and ELISA)
Sample preparation significantly impacts the detection of cleaved ITGA5. For optimal results:
Protein Extraction:
Use RIPA buffer supplemented with protease inhibitors to prevent artificial cleavage during extraction
Include phosphatase inhibitors if studying phospho-dependent events
Maintain cold temperatures throughout extraction to minimize protein degradation
Consider including specific inhibitors of PCSK5 if studying natural cleavage levels
Sample Processing:
Do not boil samples before loading if detecting membrane proteins (heat at 70°C for 10 minutes instead)
Use fresh samples when possible; if freezing is necessary, snap-freeze in liquid nitrogen
For cell fractionation, separate membrane fractions where integrins naturally localize
Calculate protein concentration and load equal amounts (typically 20-50μg total protein per lane)
Western Blot Optimization:
Consider using gradient gels (4-20%) for better resolution of cleaved fragments
Transfer proteins to PVDF membranes (preferred over nitrocellulose for some integrin antibodies)
Block with 5% BSA rather than milk to reduce background
Optimization of antibody dilution is crucial for obtaining specific signals while minimizing background. Based on the product specifications, implement this systematic approach:
Western Blot Dilution Optimization:
Perform a dilution series (e.g., 1:500, 1:1000, 1:2000, 1:3000)
Include positive and negative controls for each dilution
Select the dilution that provides the best signal-to-noise ratio
ELISA Dilution Optimization Table:
| Application | Starting Dilution | Optimization Range | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indirect ELISA | 1:20000 | 1:10000-1:40000 | Higher concentrations may increase background |
| Sandwich ELISA | 1:10000 (capture) | 1:5000-1:20000 | Optimize both capture and detection antibodies |
| Competitive ELISA | 1:15000 | 1:10000-1:30000 | Balance between sensitivity and specificity |
Factors Affecting Optimal Dilution:
Sample type (cell lysate, tissue extract, purified protein)
Expression level of target protein
Detection method (chemiluminescence, fluorescence, colorimetric)
Incubation conditions (time, temperature)
Leveraging Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody for signaling research requires sophisticated experimental approaches:
Co-immunoprecipitation Studies:
Use Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody to pull down associated signaling complexes
Detect interaction partners by mass spectrometry or Western blot
Compare signaling complex formation between cleaved and uncleaved states
Phosphorylation Analysis:
Examine how ITGA5 cleavage affects downstream phosphorylation events
Focus on FAK, Src, and paxillin phosphorylation states as these are key integrin signaling mediators
Implement phospho-specific antibodies in parallel with Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody
Functional Correlation Studies:
Correlate cleavage status with cell adhesion, migration, or invasion phenotypes
Examine fibronectin-binding capacity in relation to cleavage status
Investigate RGD-dependent signaling pathways, as α5β1 integrin recognizes the RGD sequence in its ligands
Integrin α5β1 has emerged as a therapeutic target, particularly in cancer research. Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody can complement therapeutic research in several ways:
Therapeutic Antibody Evaluation:
Use Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody to monitor cleavage status during treatment with anti-α5β1 therapeutic antibodies
Compare with research findings on PF-04605412, a fully human, Fc-engineered anti-α5β1 IgG1 mAb with anti-angiogenic properties
Assess whether therapeutic antibodies affect the cleavage rate or pattern of ITGA5
Biomarker Development:
Evaluate cleaved ITGA5 as a potential biomarker for response to integrin-targeting therapies
Correlate cleavage patterns with therapeutic outcomes in preclinical models
Design sandwich ELISA approaches using Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody for monitoring treatment effects
Combinatorial Therapeutic Approaches:
Investigate how ITGA5 cleavage status affects response to other therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapy)
Examine potential synergistic effects between ITGA5-targeting and other therapeutic modalities
While Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody is primarily validated for WB and ELISA , researchers interested in live cell dynamics can implement complementary approaches:
Fluorescence-Based Approaches:
Generate fluorescently-tagged ITGA5 constructs with internal sensors that report on cleavage events
Design FRET-based reporters where fluorophores are positioned to detect conformational changes upon cleavage
Use fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to monitor mobility changes associated with cleavage
Live Cell Protease Activity Monitoring:
Implement substrate-based reporters specific for PCSK5 (the protease that mediates ITGA5 activation)
Design cell-based assays that couple cleavage events to easily detectable signals (e.g., luciferase activity)
Use proximity-based assays (BioID, APEX) to identify transient interactions during cleavage
Validation Strategy:
Confirm findings from live cell assays using fixed cell approaches with Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody
Correlate real-time observations with endpoint measurements of cleavage products
Implement genetic approaches (CRISPR-based mutation of E895) to validate specificity
A notable discrepancy exists between the observed molecular weight of cleaved ITGA5 (~18kDa in Western blots) and the calculated full-length molecular weight (~115kDa) . This is a common source of confusion that can be addressed methodologically:
Understanding the Discrepancy:
The 115kDa represents the full-length protein, while 18kDa represents the cleaved light chain fragment
Post-translational modifications (glycosylation, phosphorylation) can alter apparent molecular weight
The cleavage at E895 generates specific fragments with distinct molecular weights
Verification Approaches:
Run molecular weight ladders flanking your samples
Include positive control samples with known molecular weights
Consider using gradient gels for better resolution
Perform peptide competition assays to confirm specificity of bands
Analytical Methods for Verification:
Mass spectrometry analysis of the detected band
2D gel electrophoresis to separate based on both isoelectric point and molecular weight
Sequential probing with antibodies targeting different domains of ITGA5
Understanding potential artifacts is critical for accurate interpretation of experiments using Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody:
Potential False Positives:
Non-specific binding to other cleaved proteins with similar motifs
Artificially induced cleavage during sample preparation (use fresh protease inhibitors)
Cross-reactivity with related integrin family members
Secondary antibody binding to endogenous immunoglobulins in certain sample types
Potential False Negatives:
Epitope masking due to protein-protein interactions
Sample degradation leading to loss of epitope recognition
Insufficient antigen retrieval in fixed samples
Suboptimal concentration of primary or secondary antibody
Validation Strategies to Minimize Errors:
Multiple detection methods (WB, ELISA) to confirm results
Genetic manipulation (overexpression, knockdown) to validate specificity
Peptide competition assays to confirm antibody specificity
Use of multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes of the same protein
Interpreting results from Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody requires understanding the relationship between cleavage and activation:
Correlation with Activation:
Integrated Analysis Approach:
Detect cleavage status using Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody
Assess functional activation through adhesion assays or ligand binding studies
Examine downstream signaling events (FAK phosphorylation, etc.)
Correlate with biological outcomes (migration, proliferation, etc.)
Interpreting Heterogeneity:
Cell populations may show heterogeneous cleavage patterns
Consider single-cell approaches to resolve population heterogeneity
Analyze spatiotemporal dynamics to understand activation patterns
Integrins play critical roles in cancer progression, and cleaved ITGA5 may serve as an important biomarker or therapeutic target:
Cancer Research Applications:
Compare cleaved ITGA5 levels between normal and malignant tissues
Correlate cleavage status with invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance
Examine how ITGA5 cleavage contributes to tumor microenvironment interactions
Therapeutic Resistance Studies:
Investigate whether altered ITGA5 cleavage contributes to resistance mechanisms
Examine cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance in relation to ITGA5 cleavage status
Develop combination approaches targeting both ITGA5 and resistance pathways
Methodological Approach:
Use cleaved-ITGA5 antibody to screen patient-derived xenografts or clinical samples
Correlate expression with treatment response and clinical outcomes
Implement genetic approaches to modulate cleavage and assess impact on drug sensitivity
Integrins function as part of a complex network, and analyzing ITGA5 in isolation may provide incomplete information:
Comparative Analysis Framework:
Use panel approaches to simultaneously analyze multiple integrin family members
Compare ITGA5 cleavage with processing of other alpha subunits (e.g., αV)
Examine beta-partner associations and how they're affected by alpha-chain cleavage
Multi-Integrin Analysis Table:
Analytical Considerations:
Consider compensation controls when performing multiplexed analyses
Account for potential overlapping epitopes when using multiple antibodies
Implement sequential immunoprecipitation to resolve integrin heterodimer compositions
Modern research increasingly integrates antibody-based detection with broader systems biology approaches:
Integration with Genomics:
Correlate ITGA5 cleavage patterns with gene expression profiles
Examine how genetic variations in ITGA5 or PCSK5 (the processing enzyme) affect cleavage patterns
Implement CRISPR screens to identify genes modulating ITGA5 cleavage
Proteomics Integration:
Use Cleaved-ITGA5 (E895) Antibody for immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
Identify interaction partners specific to cleaved versus uncleaved forms
Implement thermal proteome profiling to examine stability changes upon cleavage
Multi-Omics Framework:
Layer cleaved ITGA5 data with transcriptomics, proteomics, and phospho-proteomics
Develop computational models predicting cleavage based on cellular context
Implement machine learning approaches to identify patterns associated with specific biological outcomes