CLPR4 forms part of the Clp proteolytic core complex in chloroplasts, which maintains protein homeostasis by degrading misfolded or damaged proteins . This protease system consists of:
Catalytic subunits: ClpP (proteolytic) and ClpR (non-proteolytic)
Regulatory ATPases: ClpC and ClpD
Quantitative analyses in Arabidopsis thaliana demonstrate CLPR4's abundance at 60 ± 3 nmol/g stromal protein, forming hetero-oligomeric rings with ClpP subunits . Mutant studies reveal severe developmental defects in clpr4 knockout plants, including chlorosis and growth retardation .
Commercial CLPR4 antibodies exhibit the following properties:
These antibodies detect CLPR4 at ~33 kDa in Western blots and show no cross-reactivity with unrelated plant proteins .
Protein Complex Analysis: Co-immunoprecipitation studies using CLPR4 antibodies confirmed its interaction with ClpP4/P5 subunits in 350 kDa core complexes .
Mutant Phenotyping: Antibody-based quantification showed 95% reduction of CLPR4 in clpr4-2 knockdown mutants compared to wild-type plants .
Subcellular Localization: Immunolocalization experiments demonstrate exclusive chloroplast stroma localization .
Sample Preparation: Requires chloroplast isolation buffers containing 50 mM HEPES-KOH (pH 8.0) and 5 mM MgCl₂ to maintain complex integrity .
Buffer Compatibility: Optimal detection achieved in Tris-glycine SDS-PAGE systems with PVDF membranes .
Cross-Reactivity: Shows 98% sequence homology across Brassica, Glycine max, and Vitis vinifera .
CLPR4 (ClpP4) is a subunit of the Clp protease complex, which plays crucial roles in protein homeostasis and quality control in organisms including plants like Arabidopsis thaliana. The Clp protease complex consists of multiple subunits including ClpP3 and ClpP4, which contribute to its organization and function . Antibodies against CLPR4 are vital research tools for studying protein degradation pathways, stress responses, and development. These antibodies enable detection, quantification, and localization of CLPR4 in various experimental contexts, providing insights into how proteolytic systems maintain cellular homeostasis.
CLPR4 antibodies are primarily utilized in:
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) to examine tissue localization patterns
Immunofluorescence to assess cellular distribution
Western blotting for protein expression analysis
Immunoprecipitation for protein-protein interaction studies
Flow cytometry for quantitative analysis in cell populations
Similar to approaches used with Claudin-4 antibodies, CLPR4 antibodies can be applied to detect expression in different cell types, as demonstrated by the use of Claudin-4 antibodies in cancer cell lines . The methodological approach would involve optimizing antibody dilutions for each application, as different assays may require distinct antibody concentrations.
Validating antibody specificity is critical for reliable research outcomes. For CLPR4 antibodies, researchers should employ multiple complementary approaches:
Testing against wild-type and CLPR4 knockout/null samples
Comparative binding analysis against related ClpP family members
Peptide competition assays to confirm epitope specificity
Western blot verification of band specificity at predicted molecular weight
Immunohistochemical comparison between positive and negative control tissues
Drawing from methodologies used for validating claudin-4 antibodies, researchers should test antibodies on both positive and negative control cell lines. For example, the claudin-4 antibody (MAB42191) was verified using PC-3 human prostate cancer cells (positive control) and HLDM-2 human Hodgkin's lymphoma cells (negative control) .
Optimization parameters include:
| Parameter | Range to Test | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Antibody concentration | 1-10 μg/mL | Start with manufacturer recommendation, then titrate |
| Incubation time | 1-24 hours | Balance signal strength with background |
| Temperature | 4°C, RT, 37°C | Lower temperatures may increase specificity |
| Blocking reagent | BSA, serum, commercial blockers | Test multiple options to minimize background |
| Detection system | Fluorescent, enzymatic, chemiluminescent | Select based on required sensitivity |
As seen with claudin-4 antibody applications, researchers typically use concentrations around 8 μg/mL with 3-hour room temperature incubations for optimal results in immunofluorescence applications .
For studying CLPR4 interactions within the Clp protease complex, researchers can employ:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) followed by mass spectrometry
Proximity ligation assays (PLA) for visualizing interactions in situ
FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) analysis with labeled antibodies
Pull-down assays with antibody-conjugated beads
Blue native PAGE followed by immunoblotting
These methods can reveal how CLPR4 interacts with other subunits and potential substrates. Similar approaches have been used with other antibodies to characterize protein complexes in research contexts .
When utilizing CLPR4 antibodies across different species, researchers should:
Evaluate sequence homology in the target epitope region
Validate cross-reactivity experimentally on each species of interest
Optimize protocols specifically for each species
Consider developing species-specific antibodies when cross-reactivity is insufficient
The importance of cross-reactivity is exemplified by the development of the rat anti-CLDN-4 monoclonal antibody (5D12), which was specifically generated to recognize both human and mouse CLDN-4, enabling evaluation of both efficacy and safety in murine models .
To minimize non-specific binding:
Increase blocking time and concentration
Optimize antibody concentration through titration experiments
Add detergents (0.1-0.3% Triton X-100) to reduce hydrophobic interactions
Perform additional washing steps with increased salt concentration
Pre-absorb antibody with tissue/cell lysates from negative control samples
Surface plasmon resonance analysis can be employed to determine binding kinetics and affinity, similar to approaches used for characterizing claudin-4 antibodies like 5D12 .
When facing contradictory results:
Verify antibody functionality in each specific application
Consider conformational changes in the target protein across methods
Evaluate buffer compositions that might affect epitope accessibility
Assess fixation effects on antigen recognition
Implement alternative antibodies targeting different epitopes
Each detection method may expose different epitopes or represent different protein pools. For example, membrane proteins like claudin-4 show specific localization patterns to cell surfaces and cytoplasm that can vary between assays .
For multiplex applications with CLPR4 antibodies:
Select compatible fluorophores with minimal spectral overlap
Validate absence of cross-reactivity between antibodies in the panel
Optimize signal amplification for targets with low expression
Implement proper controls for each antibody in the multiplex panel
Consider sequential rather than simultaneous staining for challenging combinations
This approach enables simultaneous detection of multiple proteins, providing contextual information about CLPR4 in relation to other proteins of interest.
If considering therapeutic applications:
Evaluate potential on-target/off-tissue effects
Assess cross-reactivity with closely related family members
Determine antibody format (IgG subtype) based on desired effector functions
Study potential immune-mediated toxicities
Implement comprehensive safety studies in appropriate animal models
The clinical development of antibody therapeutics typically involves careful toxicity evaluation, as seen with CTLA4 blocking antibodies that can lead to inflammatory or immune-mediated toxicities requiring monitoring and management .
For long-term stability:
Store according to manufacturer recommendations, typically -20°C to -70°C
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by preparing small aliquots
For short-term storage (1 month), 2-8°C under sterile conditions is often suitable
Consider adding stabilizing proteins (e.g., BSA) for diluted antibodies
Monitor antibody performance over time to detect potential degradation
As noted with the Human Claudin-4 Antibody, proper storage includes using a manual defrost freezer and avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles, with specific temperature recommendations of -20 to -70°C for long-term storage .
For developing novel CLPR4 antibodies:
Design immunization strategies using recombinant proteins or peptide conjugates
Consider DNA immunization approaches that produce properly folded proteins
Implement rigorous screening for specificity against related ClpP family members
Characterize binding affinity using surface plasmon resonance
Validate functionality across multiple applications (Western blot, IHC, IP)
Drawing from the methodology used for generating anti-CLDN-4 monoclonal antibodies, researchers could immunize animals with a eukaryotic expression vector encoding CLPR4, then harvest lymphocytes and generate hybridoma cells producing the desired antibodies .