CSNK2A1 antibodies are immunoreagents designed to detect and quantify the CSNK2A1 protein in research settings. These antibodies enable investigations into the protein’s expression, localization, and functional interactions, particularly in disease models . Their development and validation are part of broader efforts to address antibody reproducibility challenges in biomedical research .
CSNK2A1 antibodies are validated for three primary techniques:
Western Blot (WB): Detects CSNK2A1 at ~45 kDa in human cell lines (e.g., HAP1, HCT116) .
Immunoprecipitation (IP): Isolates CSNK2A1 from lysates for protein interaction studies .
Immunofluorescence (IF): Localizes CSNK2A1 in cellular compartments, using knockout (KO) controls to confirm specificity .
A 2024 study evaluated ten commercial CSNK2A1 antibodies using KO cell lines (HAP1 and HCT116). Key outcomes include:
| Antibody ID | WB Specificity | IP Efficiency | IF Signal Clarity | KO Validation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ab76040 | High | Moderate | High | Confirmed |
| Others | Variable | Variable | Variable | Partially confirmed |
Data derived from standardized protocols comparing wild-type (WT) and KO cell lines .
ab76040 (Abcam): Demonstrated specificity in WB (45 kDa band) and IF, with loss of signal in KO HCT116 and HAP1 cells . Validated for intracellular flow cytometry in Jurkat cells .
Recombinant Antibodies: Showed superior consistency in IP assays .
T2DM Association: Elevated CSNK2A1 protein levels were observed in liver tissues of diabetic mice (+Lepr db/+Lepr db) and human β-cells from T2DM patients . Serum levels in diabetic patients also trended higher, though not statistically significant .
Cancer Links: Overexpression correlates with poor survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other cancers .
CSNK2A1 antibodies are available in several formats:
Each type offers different advantages depending on the application. For example, the recombinant monoclonal antibody (CSB-RA964915A0HU) has been validated for ELISA and Western Blot applications , while polyclonal antibodies like 10992-1-AP have been validated for Western Blot, Immunoprecipitation, Immunohistochemistry, and Immunofluorescence .
When selecting a CSNK2A1 antibody, consider the following factors:
Experimental application: Different antibodies perform optimally in specific applications (WB, IP, IF, IHC)
Validation data: Look for antibodies characterized using knockout cell lines and isogenic parental controls
Species reactivity: Ensure the antibody recognizes CSNK2A1 in your species of interest (human, mouse, rat)
Epitope recognition: Consider whether the antibody recognizes regions that may be masked in your experimental conditions
Potential cross-reactivity: Be aware of possible cross-reactivity with CSNK2A2
A comprehensive study has characterized ten CSNK2A1 commercial antibodies using standardized protocols, which can serve as a guide for selecting the most appropriate antibody for specific research needs .
A standardized experimental protocol for validating CSNK2A1 antibodies involves:
Comparing readouts in knockout (KO) cell lines and isogenic parental controls
Using cell lines with adequate target protein expression (e.g., HAP1 cells express CSNK2A1 transcript at 7.0 log2 TPM+1 RNA levels)
Testing multiple applications in parallel:
This approach has been endorsed by a committee of industry and academic representatives and offers a robust framework for antibody validation . The standardized consensus antibody characterization protocols are openly available on Protocol Exchange .
The following cell lines are recommended for CSNK2A1 antibody validation:
| Institution | Catalog number | RRID (Cellosaurus) | Cell line | Genotype |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Discovery | C631 | CVCL_Y019 | HAP1 | WT |
| Horizon Discovery | HZGHC004051c003 | CVCL_SJ92 | HAP1 | CSNK2A1 KO |
HAP1 cells are particularly suitable because they express CSNK2A1 transcript at levels above the average range of cancer cells analyzed . For western blot applications, various cell lines have shown positive detection, including A431, PC-3, K-562, NIH/3T3, and Raji cells . For immunoprecipitation, HeLa cells have been successfully used .
Optimal dilutions vary by antibody and application:
It is recommended that each antibody should be titrated in specific testing systems to obtain optimal results, as performance can be sample-dependent .
One limitation in CSNK2A1 antibody research is the potential for cross-reactivity with CSNK2A2 . To address this challenge:
Implement genetic validation strategies using CSNK2A1 knockout cell lines compared to wild-type controls
Test multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes of CSNK2A1
Include appropriate controls in your experiments, such as CSNK2A2 expression analysis
Consider examining expression patterns in tissues where one isoform is predominantly expressed
The genetic approach using knockout cell lines allows researchers to identify selective and renewable CSNK2A1 antibodies for their experimental needs . This strategy is particularly important when proprietary information about antibody specificity is not always provided by manufacturers .
CSNK2A1 has been implicated in multiple aspects of cancer biology. Key experimental approaches include:
Expression analysis:
Functional studies:
Therapeutic targeting:
Monitoring changes in CSNK2A1 expression following treatment
Evaluating effects on downstream phosphorylation events
Given the association between CSNK2A1 mutations and autism spectrum disorder , researchers can:
Compare wild-type and mutant CSNK2A1 expression patterns in neuronal models using immunofluorescence
Investigate alterations in CSNK2A1 kinase activity using phospho-specific antibodies
Examine protein-protein interactions of wild-type versus mutant CSNK2A1 using co-immunoprecipitation
Study subcellular localization changes in neurons expressing mutant CSNK2A1
These approaches can help elucidate the mechanisms by which CSNK2A1 mutations contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and potentially identify novel therapeutic targets.
Common challenges in CSNK2A1 antibody experiments include:
Cross-reactivity with CSNK2A2: Validate using genetic approaches with CSNK2A1 knockout models
Insufficient target expression: Verify expression levels in your cell line using transcriptomics databases
Non-specific binding: Optimize antibody dilutions and blocking conditions
Species specificity issues: Check predicted species reactivity before extending research to different species
Imaging and analysis bias: Use approaches like the mosaic strategy where wild-type and knockout cells are imaged in the same field of view
The standardized antibody characterization platform acknowledges these inherent limitations and encourages researchers to adopt an agnostic approach, performing antibody-based applications and analyzing results in the context of their specific research questions .
When faced with discrepancies between different antibodies:
Review the validation data for each antibody, particularly performance in wild-type versus knockout cells
Consider epitope differences: antibodies targeting different regions of CSNK2A1 may give varying results
Evaluate application-specific performance: some antibodies work well for certain applications but not others
Assess experimental conditions: buffer composition, fixation methods, and incubation times can affect results
Consult Table 3 mentioned in the study as a guide for assessing antibody performance in different applications
The study characterizing ten commercial CSNK2A1 antibodies acknowledges that while antibody use and protocols vary between laboratories, their standardized assessment provides a valuable reference point for interpreting discrepancies .
For optimal results with CSNK2A1 antibodies, consider these sample preparation factors:
For Western Blot:
For Immunoprecipitation:
Analyze equal proportions of starting material, unbound fraction, and immunoprecipitate eluates
Use a specific CSNK2A1 antibody for immunoblot detection following IP
For Immunohistochemistry:
For polyclonal antibody 10992-1-AP, use antigen retrieval with TE buffer pH 9.0 or alternatively, citrate buffer pH 6.0
Evaluate staining in both positive tissues (e.g., human breast cancer, human colon cancer) and negative controls
CSNK2A1 antibodies have significant potential in precision medicine applications:
Biomarker development:
Patient stratification:
Identifying patient subgroups based on CSNK2A1 expression levels
Predicting therapy response based on CSNK2A1 status
Therapeutic monitoring:
Tracking changes in CSNK2A1 expression during treatment
Developing companion diagnostics for CSNK2A1-targeted therapies
Emerging technologies that could enhance CSNK2A1 antibody applications include:
Single-cell analysis:
Applying antibodies in single-cell western blot or mass cytometry
Examining heterogeneity in CSNK2A1 expression at the single-cell level
Spatial proteomics:
Combining in situ antibody detection with spatial transcriptomics
Mapping CSNK2A1 expression patterns in complex tissues
Proximity labeling:
Using antibody-enzyme fusions to identify proteins in close proximity to CSNK2A1
Mapping localized interactomes in different cellular contexts
High-content screening:
Developing antibody-based assays for screening CSNK2A1 inhibitors
Evaluating compound effects on CSNK2A1 expression and localization
These technologies could provide deeper insights into CSNK2A1 biology and accelerate therapeutic development.