KEGG: ath:AT5G41290
STRING: 3702.AT5G41290.1
CRRSP58 (Q9FHD4) is a protein found in Arabidopsis thaliana (mouse-ear cress), a widely used model organism in plant molecular biology. While comprehensive functional studies on CRRSP58 are still evolving, this protein is of interest to researchers studying plant cellular responses and regulatory systems. The polyclonal antibodies against CRRSP58 enable detection and localization studies of this protein in plant tissues, supporting investigations into its role in signaling pathways, stress responses, or developmental processes . Unlike mammalian antibody targets that often have extensive characterization, plant protein antibodies like CRRSP58 require careful validation in context-specific experiments to establish their utility in advancing plant biology research.
CRRSP58 antibodies should be stored at -20°C or -80°C upon receipt . Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided as they can compromise antibody functionality through structural degradation. The antibody is formulated in a storage buffer containing 0.03% Proclin 300 as a preservative, with 50% glycerol and 0.01M PBS at pH 7.4 . The glycerol component helps prevent ice crystal formation during freezing, maintaining antibody integrity. For working aliquots, it's advisable to prepare small volumes (10-20 μL) to minimize freeze-thaw cycles of the stock solution. Research shows that antibody functionality can decrease by up to 30% after just three freeze-thaw cycles in standard formulations.
For rigorous experimental design with CRRSP58 polyclonal antibody, researchers should:
Include proper negative controls (tissue samples from knockout mutants)
Perform pre-adsorption tests with the immunizing antigen
Compare antibody performance across multiple protein extraction methods
Validate antibody specificity via immunoblotting with recombinant CRRSP58 protein
The estimated financial impact of inadequate antibody characterization reaches $0.4-1.8 billion annually in the United States alone, underscoring the importance of rigorous validation protocols before proceeding with extensive experimental work .
The CRRSP58 antibody was raised against recombinant Arabidopsis thaliana CRRSP58 protein , suggesting it may recognize multiple epitopes across the protein structure. Unlike antibodies developed against specific peptide fragments, antibodies generated against whole recombinant proteins typically recognize both linear and conformational epitopes. This has significant implications for detecting different protein isoforms or post-translationally modified versions of CRRSP58.
When analyzing potential detection limitations:
Protein Variant | Likely Detection | Considerations |
---|---|---|
Full-length CRRSP58 | High probability | Primary immunogen target |
Splice variants | Variable | Depends on epitope preservation |
Phosphorylated forms | Possible reduction | May alter epitope conformation |
Proteolytic fragments | Possible | If they contain recognized epitopes |
For comprehensive isoform analysis, researchers should consider complementary approaches such as mass spectrometry to confirm antibody-based findings, especially when studying tissue-specific CRRSP58 expression patterns or stress-induced modifications.
While the CRRSP58 antibody is specifically reactive with Arabidopsis thaliana , researchers often need to investigate homologous proteins in related plant species. Cross-reactivity potential depends on evolutionary conservation of epitope regions across species. The antibody development process involving antigen affinity purification suggests enhanced specificity, but systematic cross-reactivity testing data across plant species is not readily available.
When considering cross-species applications, researchers should:
Perform sequence alignment analysis of CRRSP58 homologs across target species
Conduct preliminary Western blot tests with positive controls from Arabidopsis alongside samples from the species of interest
Validate signals using genetic approaches (e.g., RNAi knockdown of the homologous gene)
Consider developing species-specific antibodies for crucial experiments
Recent studies in antibody characterization highlight that even for well-characterized human protein targets, cross-reactivity remains a significant challenge, necessitating careful validation for plant antibodies across species boundaries .
Optimizing protein extraction for CRRSP58 detection requires consideration of both tissue type and protein characteristics. Given that CRRSP58 antibody is validated for Western blot applications in Arabidopsis thaliana , extraction methods should preserve epitope integrity while effectively solubilizing the target protein.
Recommended extraction protocol comparison:
Extraction Method | Advantages | Limitations | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
TRIzol-based extraction | High protein yield, compatibility with RNA isolation | Potential loss of some membrane proteins | Total protein analysis |
Phenol extraction | Excellent for removing interfering compounds | Time-consuming, uses hazardous chemicals | Tissues with high phenolic compounds |
Native extraction (non-denaturing) | Preserves protein complexes and structures | Lower yield, potential coprecipitation | Interaction studies |
RIPA buffer extraction | Good balance of yield and preservation | May not extract all membrane-bound proteins | General screening |
For optimal results, extraction buffers should include protease inhibitors to prevent degradation, and samples should be processed quickly at cold temperatures. When working with Arabidopsis tissues like leaves or roots, a buffer containing 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 150 mM NaCl, 1% Triton X-100, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, and protease inhibitor cocktail has shown reliable results for similar plant proteins.
Proper controls are crucial for antibody validation, particularly for antibodies like CRRSP58 that may not have extensive characterization in the literature. Based on current antibody validation standards , the following controls should be implemented:
Positive control: Recombinant CRRSP58 protein or extracts from tissues known to express CRRSP58
Negative control: Samples from crrsp58 knockout or knockdown plants
Antibody controls:
Primary antibody omission
Isotype control (rabbit IgG at matching concentration)
Pre-absorption with immunizing antigen
Technical controls:
Loading controls (e.g., actin or tubulin)
Molecular weight markers to confirm expected band size
Implementing these controls addresses the concerning statistic that approximately 50% of commercial antibodies fail to meet basic standards for characterization . For CRRSP58 antibody, which is polyclonal and raised in rabbit , the antibody specificity validation is particularly important to ensure experimental reliability.
Optimal antibody dilution is critical for balancing signal strength against background noise. For CRRSP58 antibody, which is validated for ELISA and Western blot applications , systematic dilution testing is recommended rather than relying solely on manufacturer suggestions.
For Western blot applications, a recommended dilution optimization approach includes:
Initial broad-range testing: Prepare a mini-gradient of dilutions (e.g., 1:500, 1:1000, 1:2000, 1:5000)
Fine-tuning: Once an approximate optimal range is identified, test narrower increments (e.g., 1:800, 1:1000, 1:1200)
Validation across samples: Test the optimal dilution across different tissue types or treatment conditions
Standardization: Document the optimal dilution for specific detection methods (ECL vs. fluorescence)
For ELISA applications:
Begin with a checkerboard titration approach using both antigen and antibody dilution series
Plot signal-to-noise ratios to identify optimal working concentrations
Validate with known positive and negative samples
Each new lot of CRRSP58 antibody should undergo verification of optimal dilution, as lot-to-lot variation can significantly impact performance parameters.
Non-specific binding is a common challenge with polyclonal antibodies like CRRSP58 . When encountering multiple bands or high background, consider implementing the following strategies:
Blocking optimization:
Test different blocking agents (BSA, non-fat milk, commercial blockers)
Compare blocking times (1 hour vs. overnight)
Evaluate different blocking concentrations (3% vs. 5%)
Washing protocol refinement:
Increase washing duration or frequency
Add 0.1-0.3% Tween-20 to wash buffers
Consider using PBS-T vs. TBS-T for washing
Antibody incubation conditions:
Reduce primary antibody concentration
Add 0.05-0.1% Tween-20 to antibody dilution buffer
Include 1-5% blocking agent in antibody dilution
Test 4°C overnight vs. room temperature incubation
Sample preparation modifications:
Include additional purification steps
Test different protein extraction methods
Add reducing agents (DTT or β-mercaptoethanol)
Recent studies in antibody validation have demonstrated that optimization of these parameters can significantly improve specificity, with background reduction of up to 80% in challenging samples .
For quantitative analysis of CRRSP58 in Arabidopsis samples, different approaches should be employed depending on the detection method:
Use digital image analysis software (ImageJ, Image Studio, etc.)
Include a standard curve of recombinant CRRSP58 protein (if available)
Normalize to housekeeping proteins (actin, tubulin, GAPDH)
Apply lane normalization to account for loading variations
Repeat experiments minimum 3 times for statistical analysis
Generate standard curves using purified CRRSP58 protein
Employ four-parameter logistic (4PL) curve fitting
Ensure sample values fall within the linear range of the standard curve
Calculate intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV)
Report results as concentration with confidence intervals
Analysis Parameter | Western Blot | ELISA |
---|---|---|
Typical detection limit | ~10-50 ng | ~0.1-1 ng |
Linear dynamic range | 10-fold | 100-fold |
Typical CV | 10-25% | 5-15% |
Best for | Relative changes | Absolute quantification |
The choice between methods should be driven by research questions, with Western blot being more suitable for detecting protein size changes and ELISA offering greater sensitivity for quantification .
Comprehensive validation of CRRSP58 antibody across experimental conditions is essential for generating reliable data. This validation should encompass:
Tissue-specific validation:
Test across different plant tissues (leaves, roots, flowers, etc.)
Compare protein extraction protocols for each tissue type
Document tissue-specific expression patterns
Developmental stage assessment:
Validate detection across plant growth stages
Correlate protein levels with transcriptional data
Document developmental variations in signal strength or pattern
Treatment conditions:
Validate under various stress conditions (drought, salt, pathogen, etc.)
Compare signal before and after hormone treatments
Document treatment-induced changes in expression or localization
Technical validation:
Test reproducibility across different detection systems
Confirm lot-to-lot consistency
Validate specificity under each experimental condition
The "fit-for-purpose" validation approach recommended by experts in antibody research suggests that validation must be performed within the context of specific experimental conditions rather than assuming universal applicability. For CRRSP58 antibody, this contextualized validation is particularly important given its specialized use in plant research .
While CRRSP58 antibody is currently validated only for ELISA and Western blot applications , researchers may wish to extend its utility to other experimental approaches. Emerging antibody characterization standards suggest these expansion strategies:
Immunoprecipitation adaptation:
Crosslink antibody to protein A/G beads
Use gentler lysis buffers to maintain protein interactions
Validate pulldown with Western blot confirmation
Confirm specificity with mass spectrometry analysis
Immunohistochemistry/Immunofluorescence optimization:
Test multiple fixation protocols (paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde)
Evaluate various antigen retrieval methods
Optimize antibody concentration and incubation time
Include knockout/knockdown samples as negative controls
Chromatin immunoprecipitation adaptation:
Only applicable if CRRSP58 has DNA-binding properties
Requires extensive cross-validation with other methods
Compare to established ChIP-grade antibodies if available
The systematic approach to antibody characterization demonstrated in large-scale initiatives like the Protein Capture Reagents Program (PCRP) provides a template for these expansion efforts .
The current antibody reproducibility crisis highlighted in recent literature has particular relevance for specialized antibodies like CRRSP58. Without standardized validation data, researchers face several challenges:
To address these challenges, researchers working with CRRSP58 antibody should:
Document detailed validation protocols
Share validation data in publications and repositories
Adopt minimum reporting standards for antibody usage
Consider contributing to community validation efforts
The estimated financial impact of inadequate antibody characterization ($0.4-1.8 billion annually in the US alone ) underscores the importance of addressing these standardization issues.