Validation requires a multi-step approach:
Knockout controls: Use CRISPR-edited Arabidopsis thaliana lines lacking the At1g12390 gene (e.g., AT1G12390-KO) to confirm antibody specificity in Western blot (WB) or immunofluorescence (IF). A lack of signal in KO samples confirms specificity .
Orthogonal methods: Pair antibody-based detection (e.g., WB) with mass spectrometry or functional assays (e.g., ER cargo transport assays) to verify target involvement .
Cross-reactivity screens: Test the antibody against recombinant proteins from related Cornichon family members (e.g., AT2G17540) to rule out off-target binding .
Subcellular localization: Use immunofluorescence (IF) in Arabidopsis root or leaf tissues to study ER-associated protein trafficking .
Protein interaction studies: Perform co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) with ER-resident chaperones (e.g., calnexin) to map cargo receptor networks .
Developmental profiling: Apply ELISA or WB to quantify At1g12390 expression across growth stages (e.g., germination vs. flowering) .
Optimize blocking buffers: Use 5% non-fat milk or BSA in TBST to reduce background .
Validate with peptide competition: Pre-incubate the antibody with recombinant At1g12390 protein; loss of signal confirms specificity .
Alternative retrieval methods: For formalin-fixed tissues, test citrate buffer (pH 6.0) or Tris-EDTA (pH 9.0) for antigen unmasking .
Dual knockout systems: Generate Arabidopsis mutants lacking both At1g12390 and homologs (e.g., AT3G05030) to assess functional compensation. Monitor phenotypes (e.g., defective protein secretion) via antibody-based IF .
Quantitative proteomics: Combine immunoprecipitation with tandem mass spectrometry (IP-MS/MS) to identify cargo proteins dependent on At1g12390 .
Phylogenetic alignment: Compare At1g12390 epitopes (e.g., residues 50–150) with orthologs in Brassica napus or Glycine max to predict reactivity .
Functional assays: Express At1g12390 in heterologous systems (e.g., Nicotiana benthamiana) and test antibody binding via IF or ELISA .