The At1g62320 antibody is a specialized immunological reagent targeting the ERD (early-responsive to dehydration stress) family protein encoded by the At1g62320 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana (mouse-ear cress). This antibody is primarily utilized in plant biology research to investigate stress-response mechanisms, particularly dehydration tolerance and calcium signaling pathways .
The At1g62320 gene locus encodes a calcium-permeable stress-gated cation channel implicated in cellular responses to environmental stressors. Key features include:
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gene ID | AT1G62320 |
| Protein Name | ERD family protein |
| Uniprot ID | F4HYR3 |
| Species Reactivity | Arabidopsis thaliana |
| Antibody Applications | Western blot, ELISA, immunohistochemistry (plant tissues) |
The antibody binds to epitopes within the ERD protein, facilitating detection and functional analysis of this stress-responsive molecule .
The ERD protein is critical for:
Dehydration tolerance: Mediates early responses to water deprivation.
Calcium signaling: Functions as a cation channel activated under osmotic stress .
KEGG annotations link AT1G62320 to:
KO Entry: K21989 (calcium-permeable stress-gated cation channel)
Associated Pathways: Ion transport, abiotic stress response .
Species specificity: No cross-reactivity data for non-Arabidopsis species.
Functional studies: Limited mechanistic insights into ERD’s ion channel activity in vivo.
Commercial validation: Independent peer-reviewed studies using this antibody are not publicly documented .
Priority research areas include:
Structural analysis of ERD-antibody binding interfaces.
High-throughput screens for ERD interactors under drought conditions.
Development of knockout mutants to validate antibody specificity.
KEGG: ath:AT1G62320
STRING: 3702.AT1G62320.1
The At1g62320 gene encodes the CSC1-like protein OSCA1.4, a member of the mechanosensitive ion channel family in Arabidopsis thaliana. This protein plays important roles in plant osmotic stress sensing mechanisms. OSCA1.4 is typically studied to understand fundamental plant stress responses and signaling pathways. Researchers interested in this protein should note that it has been cataloged in multiple databases including KEGG, RefSeq, UniProt, and TAIR, allowing for comprehensive genomic and proteomic analyses . The protein's significance in plant biology makes antibodies against it valuable tools for investigating plant cellular responses to environmental stressors and osmotic challenges.
At1g62320 antibodies are typically supplied in lyophilized form and require specific storage conditions to maintain their functionality. For optimal preservation:
Use a manual defrost freezer to store the antibody
Strictly avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles which can degrade antibody quality
Upon receipt, store immediately at the recommended temperature
When shipped at 4°C, transfer to long-term storage conditions promptly
These storage recommendations align with general best practices for antibody preservation to maintain binding specificity and activity. Researchers should also consider aliquoting reconstituted antibodies to minimize freeze-thaw events if multiple experiments are planned over time.
The selection between monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for At1g62320 detection should be guided by your experimental requirements:
When selecting an At1g62320 antibody, consider whether your application requires detection of denatured protein (as in Western blots) or native protein (as in immunofluorescence). Polyclonal antibodies generally offer greater versatility in detecting both variants through heterogeneous binding to several different epitopes . For specific quantitative applications where consistency is paramount, monoclonal antibodies may be preferable despite their potentially narrower detection range.
Proper validation of At1g62320 antibodies is critical for experimental reliability. Implement these methodological approaches:
Perform Western blotting with positive controls (e.g., Arabidopsis extracts) and negative controls (e.g., knockout lines lacking At1g62320)
Include peptide competition assays where the antibody is pre-incubated with excess target peptide
Test cross-reactivity with related proteins from the OSCA family
Verify specificity using multiple detection techniques (e.g., immunofluorescence and immunoblotting)
Conduct BLI (bio-layer interferometry) analysis to quantitatively measure binding affinities
These approaches mirror validation techniques used for other research antibodies, where multiple orthogonal methods are employed to confirm antibody specificity . Documenting and reporting these validation steps enhances experimental reproducibility and confidence in research findings.
Several immunoassay techniques can be effectively applied for At1g62320 protein detection, each with distinct advantages:
For optimal results with At1g62320 antibodies, researchers should consider combining techniques to gain complementary data. Flow cytometry approaches, especially FACS, offer powerful capabilities for analyzing protein expression in plant protoplast populations, allowing researchers to isolate cells with specific expression patterns for further analysis . The choice of technique should align with the scientific question being addressed and the resolution of data required.
For successful immunoprecipitation of At1g62320 protein complexes:
Optimize extraction buffers to preserve protein-protein interactions (consider mild detergents like 0.5% NP-40)
Pre-clear lysates with protein A/G beads to reduce non-specific binding
Incubate with At1g62320 antibody using gentle rotation at 4°C overnight
Include appropriate negative controls (non-specific IgG, knockout material)
Consider crosslinking approaches if interactions are transient
Validate results using reciprocal immunoprecipitation with antibodies against suspected interaction partners
This methodological approach reflects best practices in protein complex isolation, adapted to plant tissue contexts. The complexity of plant tissues often requires additional optimization of extraction conditions to effectively solubilize membrane proteins like OSCA1.4 while maintaining their native interaction networks.
Structural analysis approaches can significantly improve At1g62320 antibody development through:
Epitope mapping to identify accessible regions of the protein for antibody binding
X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM to determine precise antibody-antigen interactions
Molecular modeling to predict epitope accessibility in native protein conformations
Analysis of amino acid conservation to target unique epitopes within the OSCA family
These approaches mirror techniques used in therapeutic antibody development, where detailed structural characterization guides optimization efforts . For example, high-resolution structural analysis through X-ray crystallography has been instrumental in defining antibody binding sites on target proteins, as demonstrated in coronavirus research where such analysis identified potent antibody combinations with therapeutic potential . Similar approaches can be applied to optimize At1g62320 antibodies by identifying optimal epitopes that are both accessible and specific.
Flow cytometry offers powerful capabilities for At1g62320 research:
Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) can isolate plant protoplasts expressing At1g62320 at different levels
Multi-parameter analysis allows correlation of At1g62320 expression with other cellular markers
Quantitative assessment of protein expression across different cell populations
Monitoring changes in protein localization or abundance in response to stress treatments
The application of flow cytometry to plant protein research follows established principles from other systems, where these techniques have revolutionized antibody discovery efforts. As described in antibody discovery workflows, FACS enables researchers to sift through diverse cell populations to isolate cells producing antibodies with desired binding characteristics . When applied to At1g62320 research, this approach allows for precise quantification of protein expression and detailed phenotypic characterization of cells with varying expression levels.
When encountering non-specific binding with At1g62320 antibodies, implement these methodological solutions:
Increase blocking agent concentration (try 5% BSA or milk instead of standard 1-3%)
Optimize antibody dilution through systematic titration experiments
Add 0.1-0.5% Triton X-100 or Tween-20 to washing buffers to reduce hydrophobic interactions
Include competitors (1-5% normal serum from the host species) to reduce non-specific interactions
Perform negative control experiments with pre-immune serum or isotype controls
Consider using knockout/knockdown lines as negative controls to distinguish specific from non-specific signals
These approaches address common challenges in plant protein detection, where cell wall components and abundant photosynthetic proteins can contribute to background signals. Systematic optimization of each experimental parameter is essential for distinguishing specific signals from experimental artifacts.
When faced with contradictory results from different detection methods:
Evaluate the nature of protein preparation in each method (native vs. denatured)
Consider epitope accessibility differences between techniques
Assess potential post-translational modifications that might affect antibody recognition
Examine reagent compatibility issues across different buffers and protocols
Implement independent verification approaches (e.g., mass spectrometry, genetic approaches)
Consult literature for known challenges with the protein family
This methodical approach to resolving contradictory results reflects scientific best practices. Different antibody-based techniques may access different epitopes of the target protein, particularly for membrane proteins like OSCA1.4 where conformation and accessibility can vary significantly between native and denatured states. Researchers should document all experimental conditions thoroughly when reporting seemingly contradictory results to facilitate interpretation by the scientific community.