COPT3 Antibody

Shipped with Ice Packs
In Stock

Description

Definition and Biological Role of COPT3

COPT3 (Copper Transporter 3) is an intracellular copper transporter protein in Arabidopsis thaliana that facilitates copper (Cu) ion transport across cellular membranes. It belongs to the CTR/COPT family of Cu transporters and is primarily expressed in pollen grains and tissues requiring high Cu levels for metabolic processes . COPT3 localizes to compartments of the secretory pathway, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and trans-Golgi network (TGN), where it regulates Cu homeostasis .

Key structural features of COPT3 include:

  • Three transmembrane domains (TMDs) with conserved Mx₃M and Gx₃G motifs critical for Cu transport .

  • A cytosolic C-terminus and extracellular N-terminus for membrane anchoring .

COPT3 Antibody: Applications and Validation

COPT3 antibodies are essential tools for studying Cu transport mechanisms in plants. These antibodies are validated for applications such as:

  • Western blotting: Detects COPT3 (~48 kDa) in Arabidopsis extracts .

  • Immunofluorescence/Immunohistochemistry (IF/IHC): Localizes COPT3 in intracellular compartments .

  • Subcellular fractionation: Confirms COPT3 absence in chloroplasts, despite a predicted transit peptide .

Regulation by Transcription Factors

COPT3 expression is modulated by TCP16, a transcription factor that binds to cis CARE elements in the COPT3 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) confirmed TCP16 directly interacts with the COPT3 promoter, enhancing its transcriptional activity .

Role in Copper Homeostasis

  • COPT3-deficient Arabidopsis mutants exhibit impaired pollen development due to Cu deficiency .

  • COPT3 cooperates with COPT1 and COPT5 to maintain Cu balance, particularly under low-Cu conditions .

Subcellular Localization

Fractionation studies using sucrose gradients and immunoblotting revealed COPT3 localization in ER/TGN compartments, not plastids . This contradicts earlier predictions of chloroplast targeting .

Antibody Validation and Challenges

  • Specificity: Recombinant COPT3 antibodies (e.g., Proteintech 83822-1-PBS) show high batch-to-batch consistency due to recombinant production .

  • Cross-reactivity: Polyclonal COPT3 antibodies (e.g., Affinity Biosciences AF0187) recognize homologs in mammals (human, mouse, rat) .

  • Validation Controls: Knockout (KO) cell lines are critical for confirming antibody specificity in Western blots and IF .

Implications for Plant Biology and Beyond

COPT3 antibodies enable insights into:

  • Cu-dependent enzymatic processes (e.g., lignin biosynthesis).

  • Evolutionary conservation of Cu transport mechanisms across eukaryotes.

  • Engineering crops with improved Cu efficiency or tolerance to heavy metals.

Product Specs

Buffer
Preservative: 0.03% ProClin 300; Constituents: 50% Glycerol, 0.01M Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS), pH 7.4
Form
Liquid
Lead Time
14-16 week lead time (made-to-order)
Synonyms
COPT3; At5g59040; K18B18.3; Copper transporter 3; AtCOPT3
Target Names
COPT3
Uniprot No.

Target Background

Function
Plays a role in copper transport.
Database Links

KEGG: ath:AT5G59040

STRING: 3702.AT5G59040.1

UniGene: At.37004

Protein Families
Copper transporter (Ctr) (TC 1.A.56) family, SLC31A subfamily
Subcellular Location
Membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein.
Tissue Specificity
Highly expressed in stems and at lower levels in leaves and flowers.

Q&A

How can I confirm the specificity of my COPT3 antibody?

Antibody specificity validation requires a multi-method approach to ensure reliable research outcomes. Begin with Western blotting against both purified target protein and cell lysates expressing and lacking the target. Follow with immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry to identify all proteins pulled down by the antibody. For definitive validation, employ genetic knockout/knockdown controls to demonstrate signal reduction in the absence of target expression . Complementary methods include flow cytometry with positive and negative cell populations, and comparison with alternative antibody clones targeting the same protein but at different epitopes.

What factors influence binding properties between COPT3 antibodies and their targets?

Binding properties are determined by several key factors that can be systematically optimized:

  • Epitope accessibility - Conformational changes in the target protein can drastically alter epitope exposure

  • Buffer composition - Ionic strength, pH, and presence of detergents affect binding kinetics

  • Temperature - Both incubation and storage temperatures influence binding efficacy

  • Target protein modifications - Post-translational modifications can create or mask binding sites

Research has demonstrated that antibodies targeting different epitopes on the same protein can display remarkably different binding profiles . For instance, antibodies binding to the N-terminal domain (NTD) regions tend to show significantly higher binding in hospitalized patients compared to non-hospitalized individuals, while those targeting fusion peptide (FP) epitopes demonstrate the opposite pattern .

How do I determine the optimal concentration for COPT3 antibody in my experiments?

Determining optimal antibody concentration requires empirical testing through titration experiments. Begin by testing a concentration range spanning at least three orders of magnitude (e.g., 0.1-100 μg/mL) with your specific sample type. Plot signal-to-noise ratio against antibody concentration to identify the inflection point where additional antibody yields diminishing returns. Be aware that optimal concentration will vary between applications—immunofluorescence typically requires higher concentrations than flow cytometry. Always include both positive and negative controls to establish specific signal thresholds .

What controls are essential when validating a new COPT3 antibody for research applications?

A comprehensive validation strategy should incorporate these essential controls:

  • Positive control: Samples with confirmed target expression (recombinant protein or cells overexpressing target)

  • Negative control: Samples lacking target expression (knockout cells, pre-absorbed antibody)

  • Isotype control: Non-specific antibody of the same isotype to assess non-specific binding

  • Secondary-only control: Omitting primary antibody to evaluate secondary antibody background

  • Cross-reactivity assessment: Testing against closely related proteins

When evaluating antibody performance, consider that epitope accessibility may vary between applications. For instance, antibodies showing strong results in flow cytometry might perform poorly in formalin-fixed tissues due to epitope masking . Research has shown that comprehensive validation across multiple techniques significantly reduces the risk of experimental artifacts and improves reproducibility .

How do I design experiments to evaluate COPT3 antibody performance across different sample types?

Designing multi-sample type experiments requires careful standardization:

First, prepare a panel of diverse samples including cell lines with varying target expression levels, tissue samples from different sources, and recombinant proteins. For each sample type, optimize fixation and permeabilization protocols independently, as these can dramatically affect epitope accessibility. Then, use parallel processing with identical antibody concentrations, incubation times, and detection methods to allow direct comparison between sample types.

Creating a standardized scoring system (signal intensity, background levels, specificity) facilitates quantitative comparison. Technical replicates across different lots of antibody will reveal lot-to-lot variability that might affect longitudinal studies .

What are the best practices for troubleshooting unexpected COPT3 antibody binding patterns?

When encountering unexpected binding patterns, implement this systematic troubleshooting approach:

  • Verify antibody integrity through SDS-PAGE to check for degradation or aggregation

  • Test different fixation and epitope retrieval methods, as chemical modifications can mask epitopes

  • Adjust blocking conditions to reduce non-specific interactions

  • Evaluate buffer composition effects by testing different detergents and salt concentrations

  • Consider epitope competition by pre-incubating with purified antigen

Research shows that antibodies targeting conserved regions may display cross-reactivity with related proteins. For example, studies have identified cases where antibodies bind to conserved regions between SARS-CoV-2 and endemic coronaviruses, explaining unexpected binding patterns . Document all troubleshooting steps methodically to build an evidence-based optimization protocol.

How can I quantitatively assess COPT3 antibody binding kinetics and affinity?

Advanced binding kinetics assessment requires specialized analytical techniques:

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) provides real-time binding analysis without labels. Immobilize either antibody or target to the sensor chip and flow the binding partner across at varying concentrations. From the resulting sensorgrams, determine association (ka) and dissociation (kd) rates, then calculate the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD = kd/ka) to quantify binding strength.

Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) offers similar kinetic data but with simpler setup requirements. Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) provides additional thermodynamic parameters like enthalpy and entropy changes during binding. For highest precision, perform all measurements under varying buffer conditions (pH, ionic strength) to determine optimal binding environments .

What approach should I take when analyzing contradictory results between different COPT3 antibody characterization methods?

When facing contradictory results, implement this analytical framework:

First, systematically document all experimental conditions across methods, including buffer compositions, incubation temperatures, and protein conformations. Consider whether each method examines the antibody-antigen interaction in different contexts—native versus denatured protein, solution-phase versus solid-phase binding.

Create a comparative analysis table listing each method's advantages and limitations. For example, ELISA detects binding to immobilized targets, while flow cytometry assesses binding to cell-surface antigens in their native conformation. Research shows that epitope accessibility significantly differs between methods—antibodies targeting conformational epitopes may fail in Western blots despite strong performance in flow cytometry .

Use orthogonal approaches to resolve contradictions. If Western blot and immunoprecipitation show discrepancies, employ mass spectrometry to definitively identify bound proteins. Consider epitope mapping to determine if structural constraints explain method-specific performance differences.

How do I engineer bispecific COPT3 antibodies for enhanced specificity or functionality?

Engineering bispecific antibodies requires strategic selection of targeting domains and linking strategies:

  • Target selection: Identify complementary targets that, when bound simultaneously, enhance specificity or functionality

  • Format selection: Determine optimal architecture (IgG-like, tandem scFv, diabody)

  • Domain optimization: Engineer each binding domain for optimal affinity and specificity

  • Linker design: Select linkers that provide appropriate spatial orientation without interfering with binding

For purification of bispecific antibodies, the TLQ mutation approach (T307P, L309Q, and Q311R) in the Fc region allows efficient separation through differential protein A elution . This technique enables high-throughput generation of bispecific antibodies suitable for in vivo studies while maintaining normal half-lives and thermal stability.

FormatAdvantagesChallengesApplications
IgG-likeNormal half-life, Effector functionsMispairing issuesTherapeutic applications
Tandem scFvSimpler productionShorter half-lifeResearch applications
DiabodyControlled valencyComplex engineeringImaging applications

Recent research demonstrates that bispecific antibodies can overcome viral escape mechanisms by targeting multiple conserved epitopes simultaneously, a particularly valuable approach for rapidly evolving targets .

How can COPT3 antibodies be optimized for detecting conformational changes in target proteins?

Optimizing antibodies for conformational detection requires specialized approaches:

Develop conformational state-specific antibodies by immunizing with the target protein locked in specific conformations through chemical crosslinking or ligand binding. Alternatively, employ phage display technology to select antibodies that preferentially bind to particular conformational states.

For screening, implement parallel binding assays under conditions that stabilize different conformations. Use hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to verify which epitopes are exposed in each conformational state, then select antibodies targeting these regions.

Research demonstrates that antibodies binding to conserved regions between conformational states serve as excellent controls, while those binding to state-specific epitopes act as sensitive conformational indicators . This approach has been particularly valuable in studies of viral spike proteins, where conformational changes dictate function.

What strategies are most effective for adapting COPT3 antibodies for therapeutic applications like CAR-T cell development?

Adapting antibodies for CAR-T applications requires systematic engineering approaches:

First, isolate antibody variable regions that demonstrate high specificity and affinity for the target. Convert these to single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) and test binding in mammalian expression systems. Optimize the CAR construct by testing multiple spacer lengths between the scFv and transmembrane domain, as spatial orientation significantly impacts CAR-T cell activation.

Recent research demonstrates successful adaptation of non-neutralizing antibodies for CAR-T therapy against viral infections. For example, the C10 antibody, which targets a conserved region within the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2, was successfully engineered into CAR-T cells that effectively eliminated infected lung epithelial cells . This approach resulted in reduced viral titers, highlighting the potential of antibody-based cell therapies beyond traditional applications.

When developing such therapies, comprehensive assessment of off-target binding is critical to prevent unintended cytotoxicity. Multiple functional assays should evaluate both antigen-specific activation and potential tonic signaling .

How should I approach epitope mapping for COPT3 antibodies targeting complex protein structures?

Comprehensive epitope mapping requires integration of multiple complementary techniques:

Begin with computational prediction using the target protein's 3D structure to identify surface-exposed regions likely to serve as antigenic determinants. Follow with experimental validation through techniques of increasing resolution:

  • Peptide array analysis: Synthesize overlapping peptides spanning the target protein to identify linear epitopes

  • Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS): Identifies regions protected from exchange upon antibody binding

  • X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM: Provides atomic-level resolution of the antibody-antigen complex

  • Alanine scanning mutagenesis: Systematically replaces residues to identify critical binding contacts

Research on antibody responses to viral proteins has demonstrated that multiple binding epitopes exist on structures like spike proteins, including the N-terminal domain (NTD), C-terminal domain (CTD), fusion peptide (FP), and stem-helix heptad repeat (SH-H) regions . Different disease states and vaccination status can significantly alter which epitopes predominate in antibody responses, highlighting the importance of comprehensive epitope mapping .

What databases and repositories are most valuable for COPT3 antibody research?

Researchers should leverage these specialized antibody resources:

  • Antibody Database: Contains approximately 3.5 million antibody sequences from patent documents (USPTO, WIPO, DDBJ, EBI), with about 280,000 unique sequences

  • Therapeutic Antibody Repository: Houses data on more than 826 therapeutic antibodies with assigned International Nonproprietary Names (INNs), including target information

  • Protein Data Bank (PDB): Contains over 6,500 structural depositions featuring antibodies, providing three-dimensional conformation data

  • Scientific Literature Curated Collection: Includes over 5,000 manually curated antibody sequences from publications and supplementary materials

  • NGS Database: Covers more than 200 bioprojects with a combined 25 billion raw reads, offering insights into antibody sequence variability

  • NCBI GenBank: Contains approximately 175,000 unique variable region sequences from about 200,000 accessions

For computational analysis, specialized tools like IMGT/V-QUEST for immunoglobulin sequence analysis and DiscoTope for epitope prediction provide valuable insights for antibody engineering and characterization .

How do I analyze large-scale antibody sequence data to identify optimal COPT3 antibody candidates?

Large-scale antibody sequence analysis requires a structured computational approach:

Begin by preprocessing sequence data to filter low-quality reads and standardize formats. Perform clustering analysis to group related sequences based on CDR similarity, identifying sequence families that target similar epitopes. Calculate sequence diversity metrics within each cluster to assess coverage of the antigenic landscape.

Integrate functional data (binding affinity, neutralization potency) with sequence information to identify sequence features associated with desired properties. Implement machine learning algorithms to predict binding properties based on sequence patterns.

Analysis StepToolsOutputApplication
PreprocessingANARCI, AbNumStandardized sequencesQuality control
ClusteringCD-HIT, MUSCLESequence familiesDiversity assessment
CDR AnalysisPyIgClassifyCDR conformationsStructure prediction
ML PredictionDeepAAI, AbLangProperty predictionCandidate selection

Research demonstrates that combining sequence analysis with structural modeling significantly improves the selection of antibody candidates with desired properties . For example, principal component analysis has been used to identify key differences in epitope binding patterns between patient groups, informing therapeutic antibody development .

What methodologies enable accurate prediction of cross-reactivity for COPT3 antibodies against related targets?

Predicting cross-reactivity requires integration of sequence, structural, and experimental approaches:

Implement sequence-based homology searching to identify proteins sharing significant similarity with the intended target. Focus on regions containing the epitope rather than whole-protein comparisons. Utilize structural bioinformatics to superimpose the 3D structures of potential cross-reactive proteins, assessing epitope conservation in three-dimensional space.

Perform experimental cross-reactivity assessment using protein arrays containing related proteins. Analyze binding profiles across concentration gradients to develop quantitative cross-reactivity indices. Research has shown that some individuals possess preexisting cross-reactive antibodies that bind to conserved regions between related proteins, such as between SARS-CoV-2 and endemic coronaviruses .

Create a cross-reactivity risk matrix incorporating:

  • Epitope sequence conservation

  • Structural similarity at the binding interface

  • Tissue expression patterns of potential cross-reactive proteins

  • Accessibility of the epitope in native proteins

This comprehensive approach allows researchers to predict potential cross-reactivity issues before they manifest in advanced research applications .

Quick Inquiry

Personal Email Detected
Please use an institutional or corporate email address for inquiries. Personal email accounts ( such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook) are not accepted. *
© Copyright 2025 TheBiotek. All Rights Reserved.