The At1g17200 antibody is a custom-produced polyclonal reagent designed to detect the protein product of the AT1G17200 gene. This gene is annotated as part of the "Uncharacterized Protein Family (UPF0497)" , with limited functional characterization. The antibody is utilized in techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to study protein expression patterns in plant tissues.
Ubiquitination Studies: AT1G17200 was identified in a proteomic study analyzing ubiquitination sites on membrane-associated proteins in Arabidopsis. The protein was enriched in microsomal fractions, suggesting a role in membrane-related processes or stress responses .
Immune Response Link: The study highlighted its association with immune-related pathways, particularly in cells treated with microbial peptides (e.g., elf18), though its exact mechanism remains uncharacterized .
Antibody Validation: While no direct validation data exists for the At1g17200 antibody, broader studies on plant antibodies emphasize the need for rigorous specificity checks. For example, non-specific binding is a common issue in commercially available antibodies targeting membrane proteins .
Protein Localization: Mapping the subcellular distribution of AT1G17200 in plant tissues.
Interaction Networks: Identifying binding partners via co-immunoprecipitation or yeast two-hybrid screens.
Stress Response Studies: Investigating its role in abiotic/biotic stress pathways, given its detection in immune-challenged samples .
At1g17200 is an Arabidopsis thaliana gene that encodes a protein involved in cellular signaling pathways. The protein contains domains typically associated with receptor-like functions, making it an important target for antibody-based research. Understanding the structure and function of this protein is essential when developing or selecting antibodies for experimental purposes. Researchers should begin by examining the protein's primary sequence, predicted secondary structure, and potential post-translational modifications that might affect antibody recognition.
Researchers can utilize several types of antibodies for At1g17200 detection, including polyclonal, monoclonal, and recombinant antibodies. Polyclonal antibodies offer broader epitope recognition but with potential cross-reactivity, while monoclonal antibodies provide high specificity to single epitopes. Recombinant antibodies, such as those created through genetic fusion of single-domain antibodies to IgG Fc domains, combine specificity with conventional antibody features . When selecting the appropriate antibody type, researchers should consider their experimental goals, required sensitivity, and application-specific needs.
Antibody validation is a critical step to ensure experimental reliability. A comprehensive validation approach includes:
Western blot analysis using positive and negative controls (tissue/cells known to express or not express At1g17200)
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to confirm target specificity
Testing in knockout/knockdown systems where At1g17200 expression is absent
Cross-checking with orthogonal methods such as RNA expression data
Testing for cross-reactivity with related proteins
Validation should be performed in the specific experimental conditions and cell/tissue types that will be used in your research to ensure relevance and reproducibility.
At1g17200 antibodies can be powerful tools for studying protein-protein interactions through several methodological approaches:
Co-immunoprecipitation: Use the antibody to pull down At1g17200 and identify interacting partners through mass spectrometry or Western blotting
Proximity ligation assay: Combine At1g17200 antibody with antibodies against potential interacting partners to visualize interactions in situ with subcellular resolution
ChIP-seq applications: If At1g17200 has DNA-binding properties, chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with sequencing can map genomic binding sites
FRET-based assays: Label At1g17200 antibody and putative interacting protein antibodies with appropriate fluorophores for Förster resonance energy transfer analysis
Successful implementation requires careful antibody selection with minimal steric hindrance to interaction sites and thorough controls to rule out artificial interactions introduced during experimental procedures.
When employing At1g17200 antibodies for subcellular localization studies, researchers should:
Confirm antibody specificity through appropriate knockout controls
Optimize fixation and permeabilization protocols, as these can significantly affect epitope accessibility
Use complementary approaches such as fractionation followed by Western blotting alongside microscopy
Consider the use of multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes of the At1g17200 protein
Include colocalization studies with established organelle markers
For immunofluorescence applications, dilution ratios typically range from 1:500 to 1:1000, though this should be empirically determined for each antibody . Storage conditions significantly impact antibody performance; reconstituted antibodies should typically be stored at -80°C for long-term storage, with working aliquots at -20°C for up to 4 weeks .
At1g17200 antibodies can be valuable tools for studying plant response to pathogens or environmental stressors:
Tissue-specific expression analysis through immunohistochemistry before and after stress exposure
Quantitative analysis through ELISA or Western blotting to measure protein level changes
Phosphorylation-specific antibodies to track activation status during stress response
Chromatin immunoprecipitation to identify stress-responsive gene targets if At1g17200 has transcription factor properties
This approach parallels methodologies used in human disease research, where antibodies against specific targets help identify biomarkers and disease mechanisms, as demonstrated in studies of autoantibodies in conditions like SARS-CoV-2 infection .
Proper storage is critical for maintaining antibody functionality. For At1g17200 antibodies:
Lyophilized antibodies can typically be stored at 2-8°C for up to 12 months
After reconstitution, store at -80°C for up to 6 months
Working aliquots should be stored at -20°C for up to 4 weeks
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by preparing appropriately sized aliquots
Consider adding preservatives such as 0.1% sodium azide to reconstituted antibodies
These recommendations align with standard practices for antibody storage as seen with other research antibodies . Importantly, each antibody may have specific manufacturer recommendations that should be followed for optimal results.
Robust experimental design requires appropriate controls:
Positive control: Samples known to express At1g17200 protein
Negative control: Tissues/cells lacking At1g17200 expression
Technical controls: Secondary antibody-only control to assess background
Isotype control: Primary antibody of same isotype but irrelevant specificity
Genetic controls: When possible, use knockout/knockdown systems
Preabsorption control: Antibody preincubated with purified antigen
Orthogonal validation: Confirm results using alternative antibodies or methods
For Western blotting applications, loading controls are essential to normalize protein expression, while for immunoprecipitation, mock IP controls help identify non-specific binding.
Antibody optimization requires systematic testing:
For Western blotting: Begin with a concentration range of 1:500 to 1:5000
For immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence: Start with 1:500 dilution as suggested for similar antibodies
For ELISA: Test concentrations from 0.1-10 μg/ml
For immunoprecipitation: Typically 1-10 μg of antibody per 100-500 μg of protein lysate
Perform titration experiments with serial dilutions to determine the optimal signal-to-noise ratio. The optimal concentration may vary by application, tissue type, and detection method. Document optimization procedures thoroughly to ensure reproducibility.
Non-specific binding is a common challenge that can be addressed through several approaches:
Increase blocking concentration (5-10% BSA or normal serum)
Optimize antibody concentration through titration experiments
Include detergents (0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 or Tween-20) in washing steps
Preabsorb the antibody with tissues/cells lacking the target
Increase wash duration and frequency
Use alternative secondary antibodies with less cross-reactivity
Consider alternative blocking agents if background persists
Importantly, all optimization steps should be documented as part of the experimental protocol to ensure reproducibility and transparency in reporting.
When different antibodies targeting At1g17200 yield conflicting results:
Verify the epitope recognized by each antibody - they may target different regions of the protein
Check for post-translational modifications that might affect antibody binding
Evaluate fixation and sample preparation effects on epitope accessibility
Assess antibody specificity through knockout/knockdown validation
Consider protein conformation changes in different experimental conditions
Employ orthogonal techniques (e.g., mass spectrometry) to resolve contradictions
Sequence the gene region in your experimental system to check for mutations or variants
This methodical approach parallels strategies used in clinical research where contradictory antibody results require careful validation, as observed in studies of autoantibodies in disease contexts .
Rigorous data analysis and reporting are essential for experimental reproducibility:
Use appropriate statistical methods based on data distribution and experimental design
For Western blots, employ densitometry with proper normalization to loading controls
Report biological and technical replication numbers clearly
Include measures of variability (standard deviation or standard error)
Present all relevant controls alongside experimental data
Document image acquisition settings and avoid post-acquisition manipulations that alter data interpretation
Consider using standardized reporting guidelines such as ARRIVE for animal studies or similar standards for plant research