At5g42235 is a protein encoded by the Arabidopsis thaliana genome, identified with UniProt number Q3E8I8 and Entrez Gene ID 2746178 . While the specific function of At5g42235 isn't directly stated in current literature, its study is important within the plant research community.
To determine the function of At5g42235, researchers should implement a multifaceted approach:
Sequence analysis to identify conserved domains
Expression studies across different tissues and developmental stages
Generation of knockout/knockdown mutants to observe phenotypic changes
Protein localization studies to determine subcellular location
Interaction studies to identify binding partners
Based on research with similar plant proteins, At5g42235 may be involved in processes such as autophagy (similar to ATG proteins) , stress response mechanisms (like ABCG transporters) , or plant development pathways.
Multiple validation methods should be employed to confirm antibody specificity, following the principles outlined in enhanced validation frameworks :
Orthogonal validation: Compare protein levels determined by the At5g42235 antibody with measurements from antibody-independent methods (e.g., mass spectrometry) across samples with varying expression. Strong correlation (R>0.5) supports specificity.
Genetic validation: Use genetic knockdown approaches (RNAi or CRISPR-Cas9) to reduce expression of At5g42235. A corresponding reduction in antibody signal confirms specificity.
Independent antibody validation: Compare staining patterns from multiple antibodies raised against different epitopes of At5g42235.
Recombinant expression validation: Express tagged recombinant At5g42235 protein and confirm antibody detection. Current commercial antibodies have been confirmed to recognize recombinant At5g42235 .
Mass spectrometry validation: Perform immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to identify all proteins pulled down, confirming enrichment of At5g42235 peptides.
Vendor information indicates that current antibodies recognize recombinant At5g42235 but "reactivity on endogenous protein needs to be confirmed" , highlighting the importance of validation with endogenous protein sources.
Based on vendor specifications, At5g42235 antibody is validated for :
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): For detecting and quantifying the protein in solution.
Western Blot (WB): For detecting the protein in tissue homogenates or extracts.
Additional potential applications requiring further validation include:
| Application | Purpose | Validation Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | Detect protein in plant tissue sections | Tissue-specific controls, signal specificity |
| Immunocytochemistry (ICC) | Detect protein in cultured plant cells | Cell-type specificity, subcellular localization |
| Immunoprecipitation (IP) | Isolate protein from complex mixtures | Pull-down efficiency, non-specific binding assessment |
Each application requires independent validation following the principles outlined in enhanced validation frameworks .
Proper storage and handling are critical for maintaining antibody performance:
Store lyophilized antibody at -20°C
Once reconstituted, make small aliquots to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
For long-term storage, keep at -20°C or -80°C
Centrifuge the antibody vial briefly before opening to collect material from cap/walls
Add 50 μl of sterile water to the lyophilized antibody
Mix gently by inversion, avoid vortexing which can cause protein denaturation
Allow to stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before aliquoting
Keep antibody solutions on ice when working at the bench
Avoid contamination by using sterile technique
For long-term storage of reconstituted solutions, consider adding preservatives (e.g., 0.02% sodium azide)
Record date of reconstitution and track number of freeze-thaw cycles
Robust experimental design requires appropriate controls:
Positive controls:
Recombinant At5g42235 protein (provided as 200μg antigen with antibody)
Wild-type Arabidopsis tissue expressing At5g42235
Negative controls:
Pre-immune serum (provided as 1ml with antibody)
Tissue with low/no expression of At5g42235
Secondary antibody only (omit primary antibody)
Loading controls:
Antibodies against housekeeping proteins (actin, tubulin, GAPDH)
Total protein staining (Ponceau S, Coomassie)
Blocking peptide: Pre-incubate antibody with excess target peptide
Molecular weight markers: Confirm band at expected molecular weight
Protein concentration gradient: Demonstrate signal proportionality
Technical replicates: Minimum of three independent experiments
Orthogonal validation requires comparing antibody-based detection with antibody-independent methods :
Select 6-10 Arabidopsis samples (different tissues, developmental stages, stress conditions) with varying At5g42235 expression
Quantify protein levels using Western blot or ELISA with At5g42235 antibody
Measure mRNA levels by RT-qPCR or RNA-seq
Calculate correlation coefficient between protein and mRNA levels
Perform relative quantification of At5g42235 across the same sample panel using MS-based proteomics
Compare MS-based quantification with antibody-based detection
Calculate correlation coefficient (R>0.5 confirms specificity)
Buffer composition: Test different extraction buffers
Standard RIPA buffer
Plant-specific buffers with higher detergent concentrations
Buffers with plant protease inhibitor cocktails
Tissue disruption methods:
Mortar and pestle with liquid nitrogen
Bead beating with different bead types
Sonication parameters (time, amplitude)
Protein extraction efficiency:
TCA/acetone precipitation
Phenol extraction
Commercial plant protein extraction kits
Blocking conditions: Test various agents
5% non-fat dry milk
3-5% BSA
Commercial plant-optimized blocking reagents
Antibody parameters:
Concentration titration (1:500 to 1:2000)
Incubation temperature (4°C vs. room temperature)
Incubation time (2 hours vs. overnight)
For difficult samples:
Epitope retrieval methods
Pre-absorption with plant powder
Subcellular fractionation to enrich target
As emphasized in validation literature: "antibodies must be validated in an application-specific manner" , requiring optimization protocols tailored to specific sample types.
The polyclonal nature of the At5g42235 antibody has significant implications for reproducibility:
Multiple epitope recognition:
Advantage: More robust detection across experimental conditions
Challenge: Potential recognition of shared epitopes on related proteins
Lot-to-lot variability:
Different production batches may have varying:
Epitope affinities
Sensitivity levels
Background patterns
| Aspect | Impact | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Signal intensity | May vary between lots | Use consistent lot for entire project |
| Background | Different patterns between lots | Include matched negative controls |
| Cross-reactivity | Different profiles between lots | Validate each lot with genetic controls |
Detailed reporting:
Document antibody catalog number, lot number, dilution
Report all validation steps for your specific application
Implement orthogonal validation for each new lot
Include consistent positive and negative controls
Complementary approaches:
Confirm key findings with independent methods
Validate with different antibodies against the same target
For rigorous quantitative analysis:
Quantitative optimization:
Establish linear dynamic range with recombinant standards
Determine detection threshold and saturation point
Use gradient loading to confirm signal proportionality
Signal analysis:
Use digital image acquisition systems
Apply appropriate background subtraction
Normalize to validated loading controls
Statistical analysis:
Perform minimum three biological replicates
Calculate coefficient of variation
Apply appropriate statistical tests
Standard curve development:
Use recombinant At5g42235 for absolute quantification
Ensure curve covers physiological range
Sample considerations:
Standardize extraction across tissues
Validate matrix effects
Include spike-in recovery controls
Standard Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP):
Use At5g42235 antibody to pull down protein complexes
Analyze co-precipitated proteins by Western blot or mass spectrometry
Include controls (pre-immune serum, IgG control)
Immunoprecipitate with At5g42235 antibody
Identify all co-precipitated proteins by MS
Filter against appropriate negative controls
Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA):
Combine At5g42235 antibody with antibodies against suspected partners
Visualize interactions as fluorescent spots
Quantify interaction signals in different cellular compartments
Validation experiments:
Competitive peptide approaches
Domain mapping with truncated proteins
Genetic knockout validation
| Approach | Description | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic knockdown | Reduce expression of interaction partners | Altered complex formation |
| Domain mapping | Express truncated protein variants | Identification of interaction domains |
| Functional assays | Measure activity in presence/absence of partners | Biological relevance of interactions |
As emphasized in antibody validation literature, "a technique for isolation and concentration of specific proteins from complex mixtures" like immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry provides powerful insight into protein interactions when properly controlled.