CSN2 antibodies target two distinct biological entities: COP9 signalosome subunit 2 (COPS2), a regulatory protein in ubiquitination pathways, and Beta-casein (CSN2), a milk-derived phosphoprotein. These antibodies are critical tools for studying cellular processes such as protein degradation, immune response modulation, and mammary gland development .
Gene: COPS2 (NCBI Gene ID: 9318)
Protein: 52 kDa subunit of the COP9 signalosome complex, involved in deneddylation of cullin proteins and regulation of E3 ubiquitin ligases .
Domains: PCI (Proteasome, COP9, Initiation factor 3) domain for complex assembly .
Gene: CSN2 (UniProt ID: P05814)
Protein: 25 kDa milk protein critical for nutrient transport and micelle formation .
CSN2 antibodies are used across diverse experimental workflows:
Key validation data for commercial CSN2 antibodies:
Low COPS2 expression correlates with advanced TNM stages and poor survival in colorectal cancer (HR = 2.14, P < 0.0001) .
COPS2 loss reduces CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), impairing immune response .
Serum Beta-casein levels serve as noninvasive biomarkers for gastric cancer prognosis (AUC = 0.82) .
Here’s a structured collection of FAQs for researchers working with CSN2 antibodies, incorporating methodological insights and data from peer-reviewed studies and technical documentation:
Methodological Answer:
Knockout Controls: Use CSN2-knockout cell lysates (e.g., CRISPR-edited HEK293T) alongside wild-type lysates to confirm absence of non-specific bands .
Peptide Blocking: Pre-incubate the antibody with its immunogen peptide (e.g., residues 25–54 for APG02814G or 1–100 for CAB12749 ). A >70% reduction in signal confirms specificity.
Cross-Reactivity Testing: Validate against homologous proteins (e.g., CSN1 or CSN3) using lysates from tissues with known expression profiles .
Key Considerations:
Fixation Time: Over-fixation in formalin (>24 hr) may mask epitopes. Optimize antigen retrieval using citrate buffer (pH 6.0) or proteinase K .
Antibody Dilution: For ab155920, a 1:500 dilution is effective in paraffin-embedded tissues, but titrate between 1:200–1:1000 depending on fixation conditions .
Positive Controls: Include tissues with high CSN2 expression (e.g., human U87 xenografts or MCF7 cell lines ) to benchmark staining intensity.
Data Interpretation Guide:
| Parameter | Predicted MW | Observed MW | Possible Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSN2 (ab155920) | 52 kDa | ~55 kDa | Post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation) |
| CSN2 (CAB12749) | 25 kDa | 30 kDa | Dimerization or glycosylation |
Actionable Steps:
Perform deglycosylation assays (e.g., PNGase F treatment).
Compare migration patterns under reducing vs. non-reducing conditions .
Technical Recommendations:
Signal Amplification: Use tyramide-based systems (e.g., TSATM) for IHC .
Pre-clearing: Incubate lysates with Protein A/G beads to reduce non-specific binding in WB .
Multiplex Approaches: Pair with a high-sensitivity chemiluminescent substrate (e.g., SuperSignal™ West Femto) and expose membranes for ≤3 min to avoid saturation .
Workflow Framework:
Model System: Use HEK293T or MCF7 cells (high endogenous CSN2 expression) .
Intervention: siRNA-mediated CSN2 knockdown + proteasome inhibitor (MG132) to stabilize ubiquitinated substrates.
Readouts:
Conflict Resolution Table:
Recommendation: Combine orthogonal methods (e.g., cellular fractionation + immunofluorescence) to resolve compartment-specific roles.
Required Controls: