CREBBP (CREB-binding protein) is a histone acetyltransferase that regulates gene expression by modifying chromatin structure. It interacts with over 400 transcription factors, including CREB, NF-κB, and p53, to modulate cell differentiation, apoptosis, and DNA repair . The CREBBP antibody specifically targets this protein, enabling its detection in experimental models.
Validated applications and protocols include:
Haploinsufficiency: CREBBP loss disrupts enhancer networks governing B-cell receptor signaling and plasma cell differentiation, promoting lymphoma .
Immune Modulation: CREBBP mutations in DLBCL reduce H3K27 acetylation, activate NOTCH signaling, and polarize macrophages to an M2 phenotype, accelerating tumor growth .
CREBBP antibodies are primarily utilized in a variety of experimental applications including:
Western Blot (WB): Typically used at dilutions of 1:1000-1:4000, effective for detecting the 265-290 kDa CREBBP protein
Immunohistochemistry (IHC-P): Generally used at dilutions of 1:50-1:600
Immunofluorescence/Immunocytochemistry (IF/ICC): Recommended at dilutions of 1:100-1:1600
Immunoprecipitation (IP): Particularly useful for protein-protein interaction studies
Flow Cytometry (FC): For intracellular detection at approximately 0.25 µg per 10^6 cells
For optimal results across applications, it is recommended that researchers titrate the antibody concentration in each testing system to determine ideal conditions for specific experimental setups.
For successful immunofluorescence detection of CREBBP in cultured cells, follow this validated protocol:
Seed cells onto appropriate surfaces (poly-L-lysine coated glass slides for suspension cells)
Fix cells with 4% paraformaldehyde for 15 minutes at room temperature
Wash three times with PBS (5 minutes per wash)
Permeabilize with 0.1% Triton X-100 for 5-10 minutes
Block with 2-3% BSA in PBS for 30-60 minutes at room temperature
Incubate with primary CREBBP antibody (diluted 1:100-1:400 in blocking solution) overnight at 4°C
Wash three times with PBS
Incubate with appropriate fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibody
Counterstain nuclei with DAPI
This protocol has been validated for cell lines including HeLa, NIH-3T3, and leukemia cells, demonstrating the nuclear localization pattern characteristic of CREBBP.
When performing Western blot analysis for CREBBP:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Calculated Molecular Weight | 265 kDa |
| Observed Molecular Weight | 290-300 kDa |
| Recommended Protein Loading | 50 µg protein/lane |
| Recommended Gel System | 4-15% Tris-glycine precast gels |
| Primary Antibody Dilution | 1:500-1:4000 |
| Positive Control Samples | HeLa cells, Jurkat cells, NIH/3T3 cells |
The discrepancy between calculated (265 kDa) and observed (290-300 kDa) molecular weights is common for CREBBP and likely results from post-translational modifications. When troubleshooting, ensure adequate protein transfer of high-molecular-weight proteins by using appropriate transfer conditions and confirming with reversible protein stains .
For effective co-immunoprecipitation of CREBBP and its interacting partners:
Cell Lysis: Use Co-RIPA buffer or equivalent on ice for 30 minutes to preserve protein-protein interactions
Pre-clearing: Pre-clear lysates with protein A/G-Sepharose beads at 4°C for 1 hour to reduce non-specific binding
Immunoprecipitation:
Use 4 µg/ml of CREBBP antibody
Incubate overnight at 4°C with gentle rotation
Use appropriate IgG control (same host species) at equivalent concentration
Bead Capture: Incubate protein-antibody complexes with protein A/G-Sepharose beads for 4 hours at 4°C
Washing: Use stringent washing conditions (4-6 washes) with cold buffer
Elution and Analysis: Elute under denaturing conditions and analyze by Western blotting
This approach has been validated for detecting interactions between CREBBP and transcription factors such as E2F3, which are critical in understanding CREBBP's role in transcriptional regulation .
When analyzing CREBBP expression in clinical specimens:
| Control Type | Purpose | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Negative Controls | Validate antibody specificity | Slides without primary antibody; IgG isotype controls |
| Positive Controls | Confirm detection system | Known CREBBP-expressing tissues (pancreas, colon) |
| Internal Controls | Normalize expression levels | Non-affected tissue within same sample |
| Knockdown Controls | Verify antibody specificity | CREBBP-silenced cell lines (when possible) |
| Technical Controls | Ensure protocol consistency | Antigen retrieval optimization (TE buffer pH 9.0 or citrate buffer pH 6.0) |
For immunohistochemistry, it is particularly important to optimize antigen retrieval methods, as CREBBP detection can be significantly affected by fixation and processing. Heat-mediated antigen retrieval with sodium citrate buffer (pH 6.0) for 20 minutes has been validated for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues .
To effectively detect CREBBP loss as a potential biomarker for CDK4/6 inhibitor sensitivity:
Multi-modal approach: Combine genomic and protein analysis
Genomic: Assess for CREBBP mutations or deletions
Protein: Quantitative IHC for CREBBP protein expression
IHC scoring system: Develop a standardized scoring system
Complete loss (0% positive cells)
Low expression (<20% positive cells)
Moderate expression (20-50% positive cells)
High expression (>50% positive cells)
Validation cohort: Compare with known CREBBP wild-type and mutated samples
Correlation analysis: Correlate CREBBP status with:
FOXM1 expression (elevated in CREBBP-deficient tumors)
Ki67 staining (increased in CREBBP-deficient tumors)
Patient outcomes data
This approach has been validated in triple-negative breast cancer models, where CREBBP loss was associated with upregulation of a FOXM1-driven proliferative program that rendered cells selectively sensitive to CDK4/6 inhibition .
CREBBP expression patterns in normal versus lymphoma B cells show distinct characteristics:
| Tissue/Cell Type | CREBBP Expression Pattern | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Germinal Center B Cells | Uniform nuclear expression | Functional CREBBP in normal B cell development |
| Follicular Lymphoma | Reduced or absent in ~20% of cases | Haploinsufficient tumor suppressor |
| Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma | Heterogeneous loss in subpopulations | Associated with clonal evolution |
| Peripheral Blood B Cells | Moderate to high expression | Baseline for comparison |
When analyzing lymphoma samples, it's crucial to compare CREBBP staining with other markers including BCL2 (often overexpressed in conjunction with CREBBP loss). The pattern of CREBBP loss (complete vs. reduced) may have prognostic significance, as complete loss appears to correlate with more aggressive disease features .
To differentiate true CREBBP deficiency from technical artifacts:
Multi-antibody approach: Use antibodies targeting different CREBBP epitopes
N-terminal epitopes (amino acids 150-200)
Mid-region epitopes (amino acids 451-682)
C-terminal epitopes (amino acids 2240-2441)
Orthogonal validation:
Combine IHC with RNA analysis (qPCR or RNA-seq)
Validate with functional assays (e.g., acetylation of known CREBBP targets)
Sample processing controls:
Include known positive samples processed simultaneously
Implement step-wise fixation time controls
Use dual chromogenic/fluorescent labeling to confirm specificity
Internal controls: Look for non-tumor cells (stromal, inflammatory) within the same section that should maintain CREBBP expression as internal positive controls
These approaches help distinguish between true biological loss of CREBBP and technical artifacts that can occur with high molecular weight proteins like CREBBP (265 kDa) .
CREBBP functions as both a protein acetyltransferase and a protein lactyltransferase. To study these activities:
Detection of modified targets:
Co-immunoprecipitate CREBBP with potential target proteins
Probe with pan-acetyl-lysine or pan-lactyl-lysine antibodies
Validate with site-specific acetylation/lactylation antibodies for known targets
Functional studies:
Compare acetylation/lactylation patterns in CREBBP-proficient vs. deficient cells
Use CREBBP antibodies to confirm knockdown/knockout efficiency
Perform ChIP-seq with CREBBP antibodies to identify genomic binding sites
Specifically for lactylation studies:
Focus on MRE11 lactylation in response to DNA damage
Monitor homologous recombination efficiency in relation to CREBBP expression
This approach has revealed that CREBBP can catalyze lactylation of MRE11 in response to DNA damage, promoting DNA double-strand break repair via homologous recombination .
To investigate CREBBP's role in cell cycle regulation:
Gene silencing validation:
Use multiple shRNA/siRNA sequences targeting CREBBP
Confirm knockdown efficiency by Western blot using validated CREBBP antibodies
Compare protein and mRNA reduction levels
Functional assays:
3D spheroid growth assays to model in vivo conditions
Ki67 immunostaining to measure proliferation
Flow cytometry for cell cycle phase distribution
Downstream target analysis:
Focus on E2F3 and FOXM1 as key CREBBP-regulated transcription factors
Examine expression of cell cycle genes (CASP8AP2)
Perform ChIP-seq to identify direct CREBBP binding sites at enhancers
In vivo validation:
Generate Crebbp-deficient/BCL2-transgenic mouse models
Monitor for lymphoma development
Validate findings with patient-derived xenograft models
This comprehensive approach has revealed that CREBBP loss promotes cell cycle progression and proliferation in leukemia cells and enhances spheroid growth in breast cancer models, confirming its tumor-suppressive function in multiple cancer types .
When facing discrepancies between CREBBP protein and mRNA levels:
Technical verification:
Confirm antibody specificity with positive and negative controls
Verify primer specificity for qPCR with melt curve analysis
Check for potential cross-reactivity with EP300 (p300), which shares significant homology
Biological explanations:
Post-transcriptional regulation: Assess miRNA expression targeting CREBBP
Post-translational modifications: Examine ubiquitination status
Protein stability: Perform cycloheximide chase experiments to determine protein half-life
Experimental design considerations:
Temporal dynamics: Different time points for mRNA vs. protein analysis
Cellular compartmentalization: Nuclear vs. cytoplasmic fraction analysis
Protein complexes: Native vs. denaturing conditions may affect antibody recognition
Validation approach:
Use multiple antibodies recognizing different epitopes
Perform absolute quantification of transcript copy numbers
Implement mass spectrometry-based protein quantification
These approaches can help determine whether discrepancies represent biological phenomena or technical artifacts .
For successful ChIP experiments with CREBBP antibodies:
| Parameter | Optimization Strategy | Critical Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Crosslinking | 1% formaldehyde, 10 minutes at RT | Excessive crosslinking can mask epitopes |
| Chromatin Shearing | 200-500 bp fragments | Over-sonication can destroy epitopes |
| Antibody Selection | Target HAT domain or N-terminus | C-terminal epitopes may be occluded in chromatin context |
| Antibody Amount | 4-10 μg per ChIP reaction | Titrate for optimal signal-to-noise ratio |
| Washing Stringency | Low salt → High salt → LiCl | Balance between specificity and yield |
| Elution Conditions | 65°C overnight reversal | Incomplete reversal reduces yield |
| Controls | IgG and input controls | Essential for determining enrichment |
When analyzing CREBBP binding to enhancer and super-enhancer regions, focus on genes involved in B-cell receptor signaling, CD40 receptor signaling, and transcriptional control of germinal center and plasma cell development, as these have been identified as key CREBBP-regulated networks .
When confronting seemingly contradictory roles of CREBBP across cancer types:
Tissue context matters:
In B-cell lymphomas: CREBBP functions as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor
In triple-negative breast cancer: CREBBP loss specifically promotes growth in 3D conditions
Molecular context:
Examine co-occurring genetic alterations (e.g., BCL2 overexpression in lymphomas)
Assess FOXM1 pathway activation status
Evaluate p53 pathway integrity
Functional readouts:
Growth conditions: 2D vs. 3D culture systems show different dependencies
Differentiation status: Effects on terminal differentiation programs
Cell cycle regulation: Impact on specific phase transitions
Translational implications:
Different therapeutic vulnerabilities emerge:
CDK4/6 inhibitor sensitivity in CREBBP-deficient breast and lung cancers
HDAC inhibitor responses in CREBBP-mutant lymphomas
This nuanced approach recognizes that CREBBP functions in a highly context-dependent manner, with its tumor-suppressive or tumor-promoting effects depending on tissue type, molecular context, and microenvironmental conditions .
When observing different subcellular localization patterns:
Epitope-specific considerations:
N-terminal antibodies may detect different CREBBP isoforms or fragments
C-terminal antibodies might be affected by post-translational modifications
Middle region antibodies could be influenced by protein-protein interactions
Methodological factors:
Fixation methods: Paraformaldehyde vs. methanol have distinct effects
Permeabilization conditions: Triton X-100 concentration affects nuclear membrane permeability
Antigen retrieval: Different buffers (citrate pH 6.0 vs. TE pH 9.0) reveal different epitopes
Biological explanations:
Cell cycle-dependent localization
Stimulus-responsive shuttling (e.g., DNA damage response)
Cell type-specific patterns
Validation approaches:
Use tagged CREBBP constructs to confirm antibody findings
Perform subcellular fractionation followed by Western blotting
Implement super-resolution microscopy to resolve fine localization patterns