KEGG: ath:AT5G51845
STRING: 3702.AT5G51845.1
At5g51845 encodes a defensin-like (DEFL) family protein in Arabidopsis thaliana. Defensin-like proteins comprise a large family of small cysteine-rich proteins that play critical roles in plant immunity and defense mechanisms against pathogens . The DEFL family in Arabidopsis includes numerous members with diverse functions, primarily involved in antimicrobial activity and signaling processes during plant development and stress responses.
To study this protein effectively, researchers should consider its structural characteristics, including conserved cysteine residues that form disulfide bridges essential for protein stability and function. Experimental approaches for functional characterization may include gene expression analysis under various stress conditions, protein localization studies, and phenotypic analysis of knockout or overexpression lines.
The At5g51845 antibody is a rabbit polyclonal antibody produced against recombinant Arabidopsis thaliana At5g51845 protein . This affinity-purified antibody is designed primarily for plant-based research with validated applications in ELISA and Western blot techniques . The product typically includes:
| Component | Quantity | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Purified rabbit polyclonal antibodies | Varies by supplier (e.g., 2mg) | Primary detection reagent |
| Recombinant antigens | 200μg | Positive control |
| Pre-immune serum | 1ml | Negative control |
The antibody recognizes plant species and should be stored at -20°C or -80°C for optimal stability and performance . When designing experiments, researchers should consider the polyclonal nature of this antibody, which provides broad epitope recognition but may require additional optimization steps for specific applications.
Validating antibody specificity is crucial for obtaining reliable research results. For At5g51845 antibody, implement a comprehensive validation strategy that includes:
Positive and negative controls: Use the provided recombinant antigen (200μg) as a positive control and pre-immune serum (1ml) as a negative control in initial validation experiments .
Western blot analysis: Run parallel samples from wild-type plants and At5g51845 knockout/knockdown mutants. A specific antibody will show reduced or absent signal in mutant lines.
Peptide competition assay: Pre-incubate the antibody with excess recombinant At5g51845 protein before immunodetection. Specific binding should be significantly reduced or eliminated.
Cross-reactivity assessment: Test the antibody against closely related DEFL family proteins to evaluate potential cross-reactivity, especially important given the sequence similarities within this protein family.
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry: This approach can definitively identify the proteins being recognized by the antibody in complex biological samples.
Document all validation steps methodically, as antibody specificity is fundamental to result interpretation and reproducibility in plant molecular biology research.
Effective sample preparation is critical for detecting At5g51845 protein. For plant tissue extraction, consider these methodological recommendations:
Tissue selection: Choose appropriate tissues based on At5g51845 expression patterns. For defensin-like proteins, young leaves, roots, or tissues under pathogen stress often show higher expression levels.
Extraction buffer optimization:
For soluble proteins: Use 50mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 150mM NaCl, 1mM EDTA, 10% glycerol, 1mM DTT, and protease inhibitor cocktail
For membrane-associated proteins: Add 0.5-1% non-ionic detergent (e.g., NP-40 or Triton X-100)
Protein denaturation: Heat samples at 95°C for 5 minutes in Laemmli buffer containing a reducing agent for Western blot applications.
Protein concentration determination: Use Bradford or BCA assay to standardize loading amounts.
Sample storage: Prepare aliquots to avoid freeze-thaw cycles and store at -80°C.
For antibody-based detection techniques, optimize protein loading (typically 20-50μg total protein per lane for Western blot) and antibody concentration (start with a 1:1000 dilution and adjust as needed based on signal-to-noise ratio).
Implementing appropriate controls is essential for experimental rigor when working with At5g51845 antibody:
For quantitative analyses, include a dilution series of recombinant protein to create a standard curve. Additionally, consider tissue-specific controls, particularly when examining tissues with varying protein expression levels or potential post-translational modifications.
Western blot optimization for At5g51845 detection requires systematic adjustment of multiple parameters:
Protein extraction optimization:
Test different extraction buffers with varying detergent concentrations
Compare mechanical disruption methods (e.g., grinding in liquid nitrogen vs. bead beating)
Evaluate protein precipitation methods if target concentration is low
Gel electrophoresis parameters:
Select appropriate acrylamide percentage (12-15% recommended for small defensin-like proteins)
Consider gradient gels for better resolution
Optimize running conditions (voltage, time) to prevent protein degradation
Transfer optimization:
For small proteins like defensin-like family members, use PVDF membranes with 0.2μm pore size
Consider semi-dry transfer for 20-30 minutes or wet transfer with 10-20% methanol
Use chilled transfer buffer containing SDS (0.01-0.02%) to facilitate small protein transfer
Blocking and antibody incubation:
Test different blocking agents (5% non-fat milk vs. 3-5% BSA)
Optimize primary antibody dilution (typically start at 1:1000 and adjust)
Determine optimal incubation time and temperature (4°C overnight vs. room temperature for 1-2 hours)
Signal detection optimization:
Compare different detection systems (chemiluminescence vs. fluorescence)
For low abundance targets, consider signal amplification methods
Implement a systematic grid testing approach, modifying one variable at a time to identify optimal conditions for detecting At5g51845.
The At5g51845 antibody can be instrumental in studying protein-protein interactions involving defensin-like proteins through several methodological approaches:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP):
Cross-link proteins in vivo using formaldehyde (0.5-1%) for 10-15 minutes
Prepare lysates under non-denaturing conditions to preserve protein complexes
Immobilize At5g51845 antibody on protein A/G beads (5-10μg antibody per 50μl bead slurry)
Incubate with lysate, wash stringently, and elute for downstream analysis
Identify interaction partners through mass spectrometry or immunoblotting
Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA):
Fix plant tissues with 4% paraformaldehyde
Incubate with At5g51845 antibody and antibody against suspected interaction partner
Follow with PLA-specific secondary antibodies and ligation/amplification steps
Quantify interaction signals using confocal microscopy
Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) validation:
Clone At5g51845 and candidate interactor genes into BiFC vectors
Transform protoplasts or generate stable transgenic plants
Visualize protein interactions through reconstituted fluorescent protein signals
Use antibody for parallel confirmation of protein expression levels
Pull-down assays with recombinant proteins:
Express epitope-tagged recombinant At5g51845 protein
Use At5g51845 antibody to confirm expression and purification efficiency
Perform pull-down experiments with plant lysates
Identify specific interactions through comparative analysis with control pull-downs
When reporting protein interaction data, always include appropriate controls and multiple complementary methods for validation.
Immunolocalization of At5g51845 requires careful attention to tissue preparation, fixation, and detection protocols:
Tissue preparation:
Fix fresh tissues in 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS or PEM buffer for 2-4 hours
For better antibody penetration, consider 1-2% glutaraldehyde addition for certain applications
Optimize fixation time: excessive fixation may mask epitopes, insufficient fixation may compromise tissue integrity
Process fixed tissues through ethanol series and embedding medium appropriate for intended sectioning method
Antigen retrieval methods:
Test heat-induced epitope retrieval (pressure cooker method with citrate buffer, pH 6.0)
Compare with enzymatic retrieval using proteases (proteinase K at 10-20μg/ml for 10-15 minutes)
Document optimal retrieval conditions for specific tissues
Immunolabeling protocol:
Block with 2-5% BSA, 5-10% normal serum in PBS with 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100
Incubate with At5g51845 antibody at optimized dilution (1:100-1:500 range for immunohistochemistry)
For fluorescence detection, use appropriate fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies
Include parallel negative controls (pre-immune serum, secondary antibody only)
Special considerations for plant tissues:
Address autofluorescence using Sudan Black B (0.1-0.3% in 70% ethanol) for 10-30 minutes
Consider alternative clearance methods for thick tissues
For higher resolution, evaluate super-resolution microscopy techniques
For quantitative analysis of localization patterns, develop standardized imaging parameters and analysis workflows using appropriate software tools.
Investigating At5g51845's role in plant stress responses requires integrated experimental approaches:
Stress-induced expression analysis:
Subject plants to relevant stresses (pathogen infection, drought, salinity)
Collect tissues at different time points post-stress induction
Use At5g51845 antibody in Western blot to quantify protein levels
Normalize against appropriate loading controls
Correlate protein levels with transcript abundance through parallel RT-qPCR
Spatial regulation under stress:
Perform immunolocalization of At5g51845 in stressed vs. control tissues
Document changes in subcellular localization or tissue distribution
Quantify signal intensity changes across different cell types
Protein modification analysis:
Investigate post-translational modifications using specialized techniques:
Phosphorylation: Phos-tag gels followed by Western blot with At5g51845 antibody
Glycosylation: Treat samples with glycosidases before immunoblotting
Ubiquitination: Immunoprecipitate with At5g51845 antibody and probe with anti-ubiquitin
Functional protein complex dynamics:
Compare protein interaction partners under normal vs. stress conditions
Use co-immunoprecipitation with At5g51845 antibody followed by mass spectrometry
Validate key interactions through reciprocal co-IP or BiFC
Transgenic approaches with integrated antibody validation:
Generate overexpression and knockdown/knockout lines of At5g51845
Use the antibody to confirm altered protein levels
Assess phenotypic consequences under various stress conditions
Correlate molecular and physiological parameters
Document stress treatment conditions precisely, including intensity, duration, and environmental parameters to ensure experimental reproducibility.
Multiplexing the At5g51845 antibody with other antibodies enables simultaneous detection of multiple proteins, providing valuable insights into co-localization and relative expression patterns:
Western blot multiplexing approaches:
Sequential immunoblotting: Strip and reprobe membranes with careful validation of stripping efficiency
Dual-color detection: Use At5g51845 antibody with antibodies raised in different host species
Size-based multiplexing: Detect proteins of sufficiently different molecular weights on the same blot
Immunofluorescence multiplexing:
Primary antibody selection: Combine At5g51845 rabbit polyclonal with mouse or goat antibodies against other targets
Secondary antibody selection: Use spectrally distinct fluorophores with minimal overlap
Sequential detection protocol:
| Step | Procedure | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Incubate with first primary antibody (At5g51845) | Overnight, 4°C |
| 2 | Wash extensively (3-5x with PBST) | 30-45 minutes |
| 3 | Apply first secondary antibody | 1-2 hours, RT |
| 4 | Wash extensively | 30-45 minutes |
| 5 | Apply second primary antibody | Overnight, 4°C |
| 6 | Wash extensively | 30-45 minutes |
| 7 | Apply second secondary antibody | 1-2 hours, RT |
| 8 | Final washing and mounting | 45-60 minutes |
Validation of multiplexed detection:
Perform single-antibody controls in parallel
Include absorption controls to verify absence of cross-reactivity
Document potential spectral bleed-through using single-fluorophore samples
Analyze co-localization using appropriate quantitative metrics (Pearson's correlation, Manders' coefficients)
Advanced multiplexing technologies:
Consider tyramide signal amplification for detecting low-abundance proteins
Evaluate sequential immunofluorescence techniques for detecting multiple rabbit antibodies
For mass cytometry applications, conjugate At5g51845 antibody with distinct metal isotopes
When reporting multiplexed detection results, thoroughly document all experimental controls and optimization steps to ensure result reliability.
When encountering weak or absent signals with At5g51845 antibody, implement a systematic troubleshooting approach:
Expression level considerations:
Verify At5g51845 expression in your experimental system through RT-qPCR
Consider tissue-specific or developmental regulation of the target protein
Evaluate induction conditions that might increase protein levels
Sample preparation optimization:
Test multiple protein extraction protocols with different detergents and buffer compositions
Evaluate protein enrichment methods (e.g., immunoprecipitation before Western blot)
Ensure complete solubilization of membrane-associated proteins if applicable
Add protease inhibitors freshly before extraction
Detection sensitivity enhancement:
Increase protein loading (up to 50-80μg total protein per lane)
Decrease antibody dilution (1:500 or 1:250 instead of 1:1000)
Extend primary antibody incubation time (overnight at 4°C)
Try more sensitive detection systems (enhanced chemiluminescence, fluorescent detection)
Consider signal amplification methods (biotin-streptavidin systems)
Epitope accessibility improvement:
Test different antigen retrieval methods for immunohistochemistry
Evaluate alternative membrane blocking agents (5% BSA vs. 5% milk)
Try different membrane types (PVDF vs. nitrocellulose)
Antibody functionality verification:
Document all troubleshooting steps methodically to identify the specific variables affecting detection sensitivity.
High background or non-specific binding can significantly impact data quality. Address these issues through:
Blocking optimization:
Test different blocking agents (5% non-fat milk, 3-5% BSA, commercial blocking buffers)
Extend blocking time (1-2 hours at room temperature or overnight at 4°C)
Add 0.1-0.3% Tween-20 to all washing and antibody incubation buffers
Antibody dilution optimization:
Perform a dilution series (1:500 to 1:5000) to identify optimal concentration
Pre-absorb antibody with proteins from non-target species if cross-reactivity is suspected
Purify antibody through antigen-specific affinity chromatography for critical applications
Washing protocol enhancement:
Increase washing duration and frequency (5-6 washes of 10 minutes each)
Use higher stringency wash buffers (increase salt concentration to 300-500mM NaCl)
Add 0.1% SDS to wash buffer for particularly problematic backgrounds
Cross-reactivity reduction:
Detection system optimization:
For chemiluminescence, reduce substrate incubation time
For fluorescence detection, include additional washing steps after secondary antibody incubation
Optimize imaging parameters to balance specific signal detection and background reduction
Always include appropriate negative controls in parallel experiments to facilitate accurate interpretation of results.
Accurate protein quantification requires rigorous methodological approaches:
Western blot quantification:
Use a standard curve of recombinant At5g51845 protein (spanning the expected concentration range)
Include multiple biological and technical replicates (minimum n=3)
Select appropriate loading controls (constitutively expressed proteins unaffected by experimental conditions)
Apply densitometric analysis with background subtraction
Verify the linear range of detection for your system
ELISA development:
Quantitative considerations:
Normalize against total protein concentration determined by Bradford or BCA assay
For relative quantification, calculate fold changes relative to appropriate control samples
For absolute quantification, use purified recombinant protein standards
Statistical analysis:
Apply appropriate statistical tests based on experimental design
Report both biological and technical variability
Consider power analysis to determine adequate sample size
Advanced quantitative approaches:
For greater precision, consider targeted proteomics approaches (Selected Reaction Monitoring)
Implement fluorescence-based quantification using labeled secondary antibodies
For spatial quantification, develop immunofluorescence intensity measurement protocols
Document all quantification parameters, including image acquisition settings, analysis software, and calculation methods to ensure reproducibility.
Adapting At5g51845 antibody for high-throughput applications requires optimization of protocols for automation and scalability:
Microplate-based assay development:
Optimize ELISA protocols for 384-well format
Develop homogeneous assay formats to reduce washing steps
Establish robust positive and negative controls for plate normalization
Implement automated liquid handling systems for consistent reagent delivery
Tissue microarray applications:
Develop miniaturized immunohistochemistry protocols
Optimize antibody concentration and incubation conditions for small tissue sections
Establish automated image acquisition and analysis pipelines
Validate signal consistency across the microarray
Flow cytometry adaptation:
Develop cell permeabilization protocols compatible with intracellular At5g51845 detection
Optimize antibody concentration for flow cytometry applications
Establish appropriate gating strategies and controls
Consider fluorescent cell barcoding for multiplexed analysis
Automated Western blot systems:
Adapt protocols for capillary-based protein separation systems
Optimize protein loading, antibody dilution, and incubation parameters
Develop standard curves for quantitative analysis
Validate across multiple sample types
Quality control considerations:
Implement robust statistical methods for assay validation (Z'-factor calculation)
Establish acceptance criteria for high-throughput screening campaigns
Develop secondary confirmation assays for primary hits
Document optimization parameters methodically to ensure reproducibility across multiple experimental batches and operators.
Single-cell protein analysis with At5g51845 antibody presents unique methodological challenges:
Sample preparation optimization:
Develop gentle cell isolation protocols to preserve protein integrity
Optimize fixation and permeabilization conditions for single plant cells
Establish sorting parameters for specific cell populations if using flow cytometry
Imaging-based single-cell analysis:
Implement high-resolution confocal microscopy with deconvolution
Optimize immunofluorescence protocols for maximum sensitivity
Develop automated image segmentation algorithms to identify individual cells
Establish quantitative parameters for single-cell protein expression analysis
Mass cytometry applications:
Conjugate At5g51845 antibody with appropriate metal isotopes
Optimize staining protocols for plant cell suspensions
Develop appropriate gating and clustering strategies
Integrate with other protein markers for comprehensive phenotyping
Validation approaches:
Correlate protein detection with single-cell RNA sequencing data
Implement spike-in controls for technical variation assessment
Develop computational methods to account for technical artifacts
Data analysis considerations:
Apply dimensionality reduction techniques (t-SNE, UMAP) for visualization
Implement clustering algorithms to identify cell subpopulations
Develop trajectory inference methods for developmental studies
Establish appropriate statistical methods for single-cell protein quantification
When reporting single-cell analysis results, thoroughly document all preprocessing steps, quality control metrics, and analysis parameters to ensure reproducibility.
Integrating antibody-based detection with multi-omics approaches provides comprehensive insights into biological systems:
Proteogenomic integration:
Correlate At5g51845 protein levels (detected by antibody) with transcript abundance
Develop sampling protocols that enable parallel protein and RNA extraction
Apply computational methods to integrate protein and transcript data
Investigate potential post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms
Spatial proteomics approaches:
Combine immunolocalization with in situ RNA hybridization
Develop multiplexed detection protocols for spatial co-expression analysis
Implement computational image analysis for quantitative spatial correlation
Consider emerging technologies like Spatial Transcriptomics with immunofluorescence
Interaction proteomics:
Use At5g51845 antibody for immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
Develop crosslinking protocols to capture transient interactions
Implement quantitative approaches (SILAC, TMT) for comparative interaction studies
Validate key interactions through orthogonal methods
Functional genomics integration:
Combine CRISPR-based gene editing with antibody-based protein detection
Develop inducible expression systems with quantitative protein analysis
Establish phenotypic readouts that correlate with protein expression levels
Implement systems biology approaches to model protein function
Data integration frameworks:
Develop computational pipelines for multi-omics data integration
Implement statistical methods for correlation analysis across data types
Consider machine learning approaches for pattern recognition
Establish visualization tools for integrated data presentation
Document all experimental protocols and computational methods in sufficient detail to enable reproducibility of the integrated analysis workflow.
Ensuring reproducibility with At5g51845 antibody requires meticulous attention to multiple experimental parameters:
By implementing these comprehensive reproducibility practices, researchers can enhance the reliability and impact of their At5g51845 antibody-based research in plant molecular biology.
The future of At5g51845 antibody applications in plant research will likely be shaped by several emerging technologies and methodological advances:
Antibody engineering advancements:
Development of recombinant antibody fragments with enhanced specificity
Creation of nanobodies or single-domain antibodies for improved tissue penetration
Implementation of site-specific conjugation strategies for optimal orientation
Generation of bispecific antibodies for simultaneous detection of multiple targets
Advanced imaging technologies:
Integration with super-resolution microscopy for subcellular localization
Application in expansion microscopy for enhanced spatial resolution
Development of cleared-tissue immunolabeling for whole-organ imaging
Implementation of light-sheet microscopy for dynamic protein tracking
Quantitative proteomics integration:
Development of improved targeted proteomics workflows with antibody-based enrichment
Implementation of multiplexed protein quantification using mass cytometry
Creation of spatial proteomics approaches combining antibody detection with mass spectrometry
Advancement of single-molecule detection methods for absolute quantification
Translational applications:
Utilization in crop improvement programs targeting defensin-like proteins
Application in biosensor development for agricultural monitoring
Implementation in high-throughput phenotyping platforms
Integration into diagnostic tools for plant disease detection
Computational and AI-driven advances:
Development of machine learning algorithms for automated image analysis
Creation of predictive models for protein-protein interactions
Implementation of systems biology approaches integrating antibody-derived data
Advancement of knowledge bases specific to plant immunity proteins