CML43 Antibody

CML43 Protein Overview

CML43 is a calcium (Ca²⁺)-binding protein belonging to the calmodulin-like (CML) family in plants. Unlike canonical calmodulins, CML43 displays distinct biochemical properties:

• Ca²⁺ binding affinity: High-affinity binding with structural stabilization in the presence of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ .

• Subcellular localization: Primarily cytosolic and nuclear compartments .

• Expression pattern: Restricted to root tips under normal growth conditions but upregulated by salicylic acid (SA), a defense hormone .

Functional Role of CML43

CML43 acts as a Ca²⁺ sensor modulating cellular responses during:

• Root growth: Regulates Ca²⁺ signaling in root tip development.

• Immune response: Accumulates in response to SA, suggesting a role in pathogen defense .
  Experimental studies show that CML43 deficiency alters root morphology and compromises SA-mediated immune signaling, linking its function to both developmental and stress-adaptive pathways .

CML43 Antibody Applications

The CML43 antibody is primarily used in plant biology research to:

1. Localize CML43 expression: Immunostaining and promoter-reporter assays (e.g., CML43:GUS fusions) visualize tissue-specific expression .

2. Quantify protein accumulation: Immunoblotting detects CML43 levels under SA treatment or pathogen challenge .

3. Study Ca²⁺ signaling pathways: Antibody-based assays elucidate interactions with downstream targets in Ca²⁺-dependent signaling networks.

Table 1: Key Research Findings on CML43

Research Implications

CML43 antibodies enable mechanistic studies of Ca²⁺ signaling in plants. For example:

• Genetic mutants: Antibodies validate CML43 knockout lines, confirming protein absence in mutant plants .

• Stress responses: SA-treated plants show enhanced CML43 accumulation, correlating with improved pathogen resistance .

Comparative Analysis of CML Proteins

CML43 belongs to a larger family of plant-specific Ca²⁺ sensors. Key distinctions include:

• Divergent expression: Unlike CML9 (involved in flagellin signaling) or CML24 (linked to ion homeostasis), CML43 is root-specific .

• Structural uniqueness: CML43 lacks EF-hand motifs found in canonical calmodulins, suggesting alternative Ca²⁺-binding mechanisms .

Future Directions

Further studies using CML43 antibodies could explore:

• Interaction networks: Identifying binding partners via co-immunoprecipitation.

• Agricultural applications: Engineering crops with enhanced stress tolerance by modulating CML43 expression.