KEGG: ath:AT5G40560
STRING: 3702.AT5G40560.1
DEGP13 antibody is likely part of the broader DEGP antibody family used to detect DEGP proteases, which function in protein quality control mechanisms. Based on other DEGP family members, these proteases typically serve as serine endoproteases that play critical roles in degrading misfolded or damaged proteins. The antibody would be designed to specifically recognize epitopes unique to the DEGP13 protein.
Similar to other DEGP family members such as DEGP1, which is described as "Protease Do-like 1 chloroplastic" or DEGP2 as "Protease Do-like 2 chloroplastic," DEGP13 antibody would presumably target a specific DEGP13 protease with comparable cellular functions . The DEGP protein family appears to be particularly important in plant systems, with numerous variants (DEGP1-7) identified in Arabidopsis thaliana as shown in the antibody catalog listings .
When designing experiments, researchers should consider the evolutionary relationship between DEGP family members to anticipate potential cross-reactivity issues when working with DEGP13 antibody. This is especially important when studying organisms that express multiple DEGP variants simultaneously.
Based on applications listed for other DEGP family antibodies, DEGP13 antibody would likely be compatible with several standard immunological techniques. Western blotting (WB) appears to be the most common application across all DEGP family antibodies . This suggests that DEGP13 antibody would be suitable for detecting denatured DEGP13 protein in cell or tissue lysates separated by SDS-PAGE and transferred to membranes.
Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is frequently listed as a compatible application for other DEGP antibodies . This indicates DEGP13 antibody might be effectively used in both direct and sandwich ELISA formats to quantify DEGP13 protein in solution.
While not explicitly mentioned for all DEGP variants, immunohistochemistry (IHC) is listed as a compatible application for some antibodies in this family . Researchers should validate DEGP13 antibody for IHC applications through proper controls before relying on results for localization studies.
Other potential applications might include immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, or immunofluorescence, though these would require validation as they aren't universally mentioned across the DEGP antibody family in the search results.
When selecting a DEGP13 antibody, researchers should consider several critical factors to ensure experimental success. First, host species and antibody format are important considerations. Based on patterns seen with other DEGP antibodies, rabbit-derived polyclonal antibodies appear to be common for this family . This format offers advantages in terms of recognizing multiple epitopes on the target protein, potentially increasing detection sensitivity.
Antibody specificity is another crucial factor. Researchers should review cross-reactivity data, particularly against other DEGP family members. Looking at purification methods described for similar antibodies, antigen-affinity chromatography appears to be the standard purification approach for DEGP antibodies , which typically yields high-specificity antibodies.
The isotype of the antibody (typically IgG for DEGP family antibodies) will influence downstream applications and detection methods . For instance, if planning to use secondary antibodies or protein A/G-based purification methods, compatibility with the specific IgG subclass should be verified.
Finally, researchers should confirm the antibody has been validated in their specific experimental system. While antibodies may work well in Arabidopsis thaliana, additional validation may be needed for other plant species or experimental models.
Optimizing DEGP13 antibody performance in challenging samples requires systematic troubleshooting and method refinement. Based on the protease nature of DEGP proteins, sample preparation is particularly critical. Researchers should incorporate protease inhibitors during sample extraction to prevent degradation of the target protein and potential epitope destruction.
For plant tissues, which appear to be common sources for DEGP proteins based on the search results , specialized extraction protocols may be necessary. Consider using buffers that efficiently extract proteins from chloroplasts, as several DEGP proteins (including DEGP1, DEGP2, and DEGP5) are described as chloroplastic . A typical approach involves tissue grinding in liquid nitrogen followed by extraction in a buffer containing detergents like Triton X-100 or CHAPS to solubilize membrane-associated proteins.
Signal enhancement techniques can improve detection sensitivity. For Western blotting applications, consider using high-sensitivity chemiluminescent substrates or fluorescent secondary antibodies. For samples with low DEGP13 expression, immunoprecipitation prior to Western blotting may concentrate the target protein.
Temperature management during immunodetection can also significantly impact results. While standard protocols often recommend room temperature incubation, some antibodies perform better at 4°C with extended incubation times. A systematic comparison of different temperatures and incubation durations should be performed to determine optimal conditions for DEGP13 antibody.
Finally, blocking reagents should be carefully selected. Milk proteins may contain proteases that could potentially degrade target proteins during antibody incubation. BSA or commercial blocking reagents specifically designed for protease detection may yield better results.
DEGP13 antibody can serve as a valuable tool in studies investigating stress-induced protein quality control mechanisms, particularly if DEGP13 functions similarly to other DEGP family proteases. Based on the roles of related DEGP proteins, experimental designs could focus on monitoring changes in DEGP13 expression or localization under various stress conditions.
Time-course experiments are particularly informative when studying stress responses. Researchers can expose cells or tissues to stressors (heat, oxidative stress, salt stress, etc.) and collect samples at defined intervals. Western blotting with DEGP13 antibody can then quantify temporal changes in protein abundance. Complementary qRT-PCR analysis of DEGP13 transcript levels would reveal whether observed protein changes reflect transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation.
Subcellular fractionation combined with immunoblotting can reveal stress-induced changes in DEGP13 localization. If DEGP13 is chloroplastic like several other family members , researchers might investigate how various stressors affect its distribution between soluble and membrane-associated chloroplast fractions. Density gradient centrifugation provides high-resolution separation of cellular components for precise localization studies.
Co-immunoprecipitation using DEGP13 antibody followed by mass spectrometry can identify stress-specific protein interaction partners. This approach can reveal substrates targeted by DEGP13 protease activity under specific stress conditions, providing insights into regulated protein degradation pathways.
For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence microscopy using DEGP13 antibody can visualize spatial patterns of expression across tissues following stress treatment. This approach is particularly valuable when investigating tissue-specific stress responses in multicellular organisms.
Contradictory results when using DEGP13 antibody across different experimental systems require systematic investigation to identify the source of discrepancies. Several methodological approaches can help resolve these contradictions.
First, antibody validation should be performed in each experimental system. Western blotting of wild-type samples alongside DEGP13 knockout/knockdown controls can confirm specificity. If genetic knockouts aren't available, peptide competition assays can verify whether the observed signal is specific to the DEGP13 epitope. The antibody should detect a protein of the expected molecular weight, although post-translational modifications may cause shifts from the predicted size.
Cross-reactivity with other DEGP family members is a common source of contradictory results. Based on the catalog of related DEGP antibodies (DEGP1-7) , researchers should consider the possibility that DEGP13 antibody might recognize homologous proteins, especially in systems expressing multiple DEGP variants. Immunoblotting with recombinant DEGP proteins can systematically assess cross-reactivity profiles.
Sample preparation variables can significantly impact results. Different protein extraction methods may preferentially isolate certain protein pools, particularly for membrane-associated proteases. Standardizing extraction protocols across experimental systems is essential for meaningful comparisons. Consider that DEGP proteins in plants are often associated with specific organelles (like chloroplasts) , which may require specialized extraction procedures.
Antibody performance can also vary with sample complexity. Simple systems (like purified proteins) may yield clear results while complex samples (like tissue lysates) produce conflicting data due to matrix effects. Immunoprecipitation prior to analysis can reduce sample complexity and improve consistency.
Finally, consider that post-translational modifications or alternative splicing may generate DEGP13 variants with altered antibody recognition properties. Mass spectrometry characterization of the detected proteins can reveal subtle structural differences between experimental systems.
DEGP13 antibody can serve as a crucial tool for deciphering protease-mediated signaling networks that respond to environmental challenges. Based on the roles of related DEGP family proteases, several sophisticated experimental approaches can leverage this antibody to generate comprehensive insights.
Proximity-dependent labeling combined with immunoprecipitation represents a powerful approach to mapping dynamic DEGP13 interaction networks. By creating fusion proteins that combine DEGP13 with enzymes like BioID or APEX2, researchers can label proteins in close proximity to DEGP13 during environmental stress responses. Subsequent purification using DEGP13 antibody followed by mass spectrometry analysis can identify context-specific interaction partners.
Phosphoproteomics analysis of DEGP13 immunoprecipitates can reveal how environmental signals modulate DEGP13 activity through post-translational modifications. Researchers can expose samples to various stressors, immunoprecipitate DEGP13 using specific antibodies, and analyze phosphorylation patterns via mass spectrometry. This approach can identify regulatory phosphorylation sites that control DEGP13 protease activity in response to environmental cues.
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) studies using antibodies against transcription factors, combined with DEGP13 expression analysis, can connect environmental stress-responsive transcription factors to DEGP13 regulation. This approach illuminates how transcriptional networks control protease-mediated quality control mechanisms during stress adaptation.
For spatial analysis of DEGP13's role in signaling networks, multiplexed immunofluorescence combining DEGP13 antibody with antibodies against other pathway components can visualize colocalization patterns during stress responses. Advanced microscopy techniques like super-resolution imaging or FRET can further characterize spatial relationships and direct interactions between signaling components.
Finally, quantitative proteomics comparing wild-type samples to DEGP13-deficient systems across various environmental challenges can identify substrates and downstream effectors regulated by this protease. This systems-level approach reveals the broader impact of DEGP13 activity on cellular proteostasis networks.
Designing immunoassays that distinguish between active and inactive forms of DEGP13 protease requires careful consideration of protease biology and creative assay development. Based on the protease nature of DEGP family proteins , several approaches can address this challenge.
Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) combined with DEGP13 immunoprecipitation offers a powerful approach. Researchers can treat samples with activity-based probes that covalently bind to the active site of serine proteases (the likely catalytic class of DEGP13 based on other family members). After probe binding, DEGP13 can be immunoprecipitated using specific antibodies, and the presence of the probe can be detected through its reporter tag (typically fluorescent or biotin). This approach specifically identifies catalytically active DEGP13 molecules.
Zymography provides another method for detecting active proteases. Samples are separated by non-reducing SDS-PAGE in gels containing a suitable substrate. After electrophoresis, the gel is renatured and incubated to allow proteolysis, resulting in clear bands where active proteases have degraded the substrate. Parallel Western blotting with DEGP13 antibody can confirm the identity of active bands.
Conformation-specific antibodies represent an ideal but challenging approach. These antibodies specifically recognize epitopes that are exposed only in the active (or inactive) conformation of the protease. Developing such antibodies requires structural information about DEGP13 conformational states and careful epitope selection.
FRET-based reporters offer a solution for real-time monitoring of DEGP13 activity in living systems. These reporters contain a DEGP13-specific substrate sequence flanked by fluorophores that exhibit FRET when intact. Proteolytic cleavage disrupts FRET, providing a measurable signal proportional to DEGP13 activity. These reporters can be used in conjunction with DEGP13 antibodies for validation studies.
Finally, traditional enzyme activity assays using purified DEGP13 (obtained via immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies) can directly measure proteolytic activity against defined substrates. Comparing activity measurements with quantitative immunoblotting results can establish relationships between DEGP13 protein levels and enzymatic activity.
Non-specific binding is a common challenge when using antibodies like DEGP13 in complex plant tissue samples. Based on the prevalence of plant-specific DEGP antibodies in the search results , several targeted approaches can minimize this issue.
Optimizing blocking conditions is a fundamental strategy. Plant tissues contain unique compounds that may contribute to background signal. Testing different blocking agents beyond standard BSA or milk proteins, such as plant-specific blocking solutions containing non-specific plant proteins from species unrelated to the study organism, can significantly reduce background. Extend blocking times from the standard 1 hour to 2-4 hours or overnight at 4°C for particularly problematic samples.
Pre-adsorption of the DEGP13 antibody with plant extracts from species lacking the target (or from knockout lines) can remove antibodies that bind to non-specific plant epitopes. This approach is particularly effective when working with antibodies that haven't been extensively validated in plant systems. Mix the antibody with plant extract for several hours before using it in the primary experiment.
Sample preparation modifications can reduce interfering compounds. Plant tissues contain polyphenols, polysaccharides, and secondary metabolites that can non-specifically bind antibodies. Adding polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) to extraction buffers can remove these compounds. Additionally, treatment with specific enzymes to degrade non-protein components may improve signal-to-noise ratios.
Increasing stringency of washing steps by using higher salt concentrations or adding low concentrations of detergents (0.05-0.1% Tween-20 or Triton X-100) in wash buffers can disrupt weak, non-specific interactions while preserving specific antibody binding. Extending wash times and increasing the number of washes can further reduce background.
Finally, consider secondary antibody selection carefully. Choose highly cross-adsorbed secondary antibodies specifically tested for minimal reactivity with plant proteins. Fluorescent secondary antibodies may offer better signal-to-noise ratios than enzyme-conjugated antibodies in some applications by eliminating enzyme-substrate amplification of background signals.
Detecting low-abundance DEGP13 protein requires specialized approaches to enhance sensitivity without compromising specificity. Based on techniques applicable to other DEGP family members, several strategies can be implemented.
Sample enrichment through subcellular fractionation can concentrate DEGP13 protein. If DEGP13 is localized in specific organelles similar to other DEGP proteins (which are often chloroplastic or mitochondrial based on search results ), isolating these organelles before extraction can significantly enrich the target protein. Density gradient centrifugation or magnetic bead-based organelle isolation kits can achieve this separation effectively.
Immunoprecipitation using DEGP13 antibody prior to analysis can concentrate the target protein from dilute samples. This approach can be combined with highly sensitive detection methods like Western blotting using enhanced chemiluminescence substrates designed for low-abundance proteins. The signal can be further amplified using biotinylated secondary antibodies followed by streptavidin-HRP systems that provide multilayer signal enhancement.
Tyramide signal amplification (TSA) represents another powerful approach for enhancing detection sensitivity, particularly for immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence applications. This technique uses HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies to catalyze the deposition of fluorophore-labeled tyramide molecules near the antibody binding site, creating a strong localized signal amplification that can detect very low protein levels.
For absolute quantification of low-abundance DEGP13, selected reaction monitoring (SRM) or parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mass spectrometry combined with immunoprecipitation offers exceptional sensitivity. This approach can detect and quantify DEGP13-specific peptides at attomole levels, far below the detection limit of standard Western blotting.
Finally, consider using more sensitive detection systems like digital ELISA platforms (e.g., Simoa or Single Molecule Array technology), which can detect proteins at femtogram/mL concentrations. These systems use single-molecule counting approaches to achieve sensitivity orders of magnitude greater than conventional ELISA methods.
Integrating DEGP13 antibody into multi-omics approaches enables comprehensive characterization of protease networks in stress responses. Based on applications of similar antibodies, several sophisticated strategies can generate systems-level insights.
Serial immunoprecipitation combined with multi-omics analysis represents a powerful approach. Researchers can use DEGP13 antibody to isolate protein complexes, then analyze the immunoprecipitates through multiple platforms. Proteomics identifies interaction partners, phosphoproteomics reveals regulatory post-translational modifications, and interactome proteomics using crosslinking mass spectrometry maps the structural organization of DEGP13-containing complexes. Parallel analysis of the same samples for co-immunoprecipitated RNA (RIP-seq) can identify RNA molecules that associate with DEGP13 complexes.
Spatial transcriptomics coupled with DEGP13 immunohistochemistry can correlate DEGP13 protein expression with genome-wide transcriptional programs across tissue regions. This approach reveals how DEGP13 protease activity correlates with specific transcriptional signatures in different cellular populations during stress responses, potentially identifying downstream pathways regulated by DEGP13 activity.
Protease substrate identification combined with phosphoproteomics and transcriptomics offers another multi-omics strategy. By comparing proteomes, phosphoproteomes, and transcriptomes between wild-type and DEGP13-deficient systems during stress responses, researchers can identify direct substrates and distinguish between primary effects (direct proteolysis) and secondary effects (downstream signaling and transcriptional changes).
Network analysis integrating DEGP13 antibody-derived interaction data with publicly available protein-protein interaction databases can place DEGP13 within broader stress response networks. This computational approach identifies network modules and key regulatory nodes that connect DEGP13 activity to broader cellular responses, generating testable hypotheses about protease-mediated stress adaptation mechanisms.
Finally, temporal multi-omics profiling during stress responses, incorporating DEGP13 protein measurements via quantitative immunoblotting, can reveal the dynamic coordination between DEGP13 activity and genome-wide responses, providing insights into the timing and regulation of protease-mediated quality control mechanisms.
Using DEGP13 antibody in plant breeding applications focused on stress resilience requires specialized approaches that connect molecular insights to phenotypic outcomes. Based on the prominence of plant-specific DEGP antibodies in the search results , several strategies can leverage DEGP13 antibody for breeding applications.
High-throughput screening platforms combining DEGP13 immunodetection with phenotypic assays can identify germplasm with optimal DEGP13 expression profiles under stress conditions. Researchers can develop ELISA-based screening methods that quantify DEGP13 protein levels across large germplasm collections exposed to relevant stressors. These molecular data can be correlated with stress tolerance phenotypes to identify promising genetic resources for breeding programs.
Marker-assisted selection incorporating DEGP13 protein levels as a biochemical marker can enhance breeding efficiency. By establishing correlations between DEGP13 expression patterns (detected using specific antibodies) and stress resilience traits, breeders can select materials with favorable DEGP13 profiles without waiting for full phenotypic evaluation under stress conditions. This approach is particularly valuable for traits with complex inheritance patterns or environmental dependencies.
Validation of DEGP13 as a resilience biomarker requires testing across diverse environments. Researchers can use DEGP13 antibody to analyze protein expression in field trials conducted across multiple locations and seasons, assessing whether DEGP13 expression patterns consistently correlate with stress resilience across diverse environmental conditions. This validation is essential before implementing DEGP13-based selection in breeding programs.
For targeted genetic modification approaches, DEGP13 antibody can verify expected protein expression changes in transgenic or gene-edited materials. Whether upregulating DEGP13 in stress-sensitive germplasm or fine-tuning its expression patterns, antibody-based protein quantification provides essential validation of the genetic interventions before phenotypic evaluation.
Finally, researchers should consider developing derived tools from the primary DEGP13 antibody research, such as simplified immunochromatographic strips that allow field-based assessment of DEGP13 expression. These practical tools can bridge the gap between laboratory research and applied breeding programs by enabling rapid protease profiling in field settings.