DHTKD1 antibodies target the protein encoded by the DHTKD1 gene, which catalyzes the decarboxylation of 2-oxoadipate to glutaryl-CoA in lysine, hydroxylysine, and tryptophan degradation pathways . This enzyme is part of a mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate-dehydrogenase-like complex and influences cellular energy production by modulating ATP and NADH/NAD+ levels .
DHTKD1 antibodies are widely used for:
Western Blot (WB): Detecting DHTKD1 at ~103 kDa in human, mouse, and rat samples .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Localizing DHTKD1 in tissues like human kidney .
Immunofluorescence (IF/ICC): Visualizing mitochondrial distribution in cell lines (e.g., MCF7) .
Functional Studies: Investigating mitochondrial respiration, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis in DHTKD1 knockout (KO) models .
KO Models: DHTKD1 knockout in HAP1 cells reduces mitochondrial respiration, disrupts cristae structure, and decreases electron transport chain protein expression (e.g., NDUFB8, MTCO1) .
Energy Metrics: Silencing DHTKD1 lowers ATP by 30%, total NAD+/NADH by 25%, and increases NAD+/NADH ratios, indicating impaired oxidative phosphorylation .
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT2Q): Heterozygous nonsense mutations (e.g., c.1228C>T) reduce DHTKD1 mRNA/protein levels by 50%, impairing ATP synthesis .
2-Aminoadipic Aciduria: Biallelic mutations (e.g., c.2185G>A) elevate 2-oxoadipate and 2-aminoadipate in urine, linked to mild neurodevelopmental symptoms .
KO Validation: Antibody specificity confirmed using DHTKD1 KO HEK-293 cells, showing no cross-reactivity with OGDH or other dehydrogenases .
NMD Rescue: UPF1 silencing restores mutant DHTKD1 mRNA/protein levels, confirming antibody accuracy in tracking expression changes .
Biomarker Potential: DHTKD1 antibodies aid in diagnosing 2-aminoadipic aciduria and CMT2Q through immunoblotting of patient fibroblasts .
Therapeutic Targets: Inhibiting DHTKD1 has been proposed to mitigate glutaric aciduria type I by diverting toxic metabolite accumulation .
To ensure reliable results, researchers should implement a multi-step validation process:
Western Blot Controls: Use DHTKD1 knockout (KO) cell lines (e.g., CRISPR-edited HAP-1 cells) as negative controls to confirm antibody specificity . Wild-type (WT) cells serve as positive controls.
Immunoprecipitation (IP) Experiments: Validate antibody performance by co-IP with known interactors (e.g., OGDH, DLST, DLD) in mitochondrial lysates .
Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA): Confirm spatial proximity between DHTKD1 and OGDH or DLST in fixed cells to assess interaction specificity .
Functional Assays: Measure downstream metabolites (e.g., 2-aminoadipic acid) in KO vs. WT cells to correlate antibody detection with enzymatic activity .
DHTKD1 antibodies are critical for studying hybrid complexes involving OGDH (2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase) and DLST (dihydrolipoyl succinyltransferase). Key considerations include:
Cross-reactivity: Anti-DHTKD1 antibodies may weakly bind OGDH due to ~38% amino acid homology. Validate specificity using OGDH-specific antibodies or KO cell lines .
IP Efficiency: Optimize IP buffer conditions (e.g., 0.1% Triton X-100, 150 mM NaCl) to preserve mitochondrial membrane integrity and complex interactions .
Application Limitations: Avoid using DHTKD1 antibodies for detecting non-mitochondrial isoforms or in species with divergent homology (e.g., zebrafish vs. human) .
Case Study: In HEK-293 cells, anti-DHTKD1 antibodies co-IP with OGDH and DLST, confirming hybrid complex formation. KO cells eliminate co-IP signals, validating specificity .
Conflicting results arise from partial redundancy with OGDH and substrate overlap. To resolve discrepancies:
Dual KO Models: Generate Gcdh/Dhtkd1 double KO cells to assess glutaryl-CoA accumulation independent of OGDH activity .
Metabolomic Profiling: Measure glutaric acid (GA), 3-hydroxyglutaric acid (3-HGA), and 2-aminoadipic acid (2-AAA) in KO vs. WT cells to distinguish pathway contributions .
Enzymatic Assays: Quantify OADHc (2-oxoadipate dehydrogenase complex) and OGDHc activities in lysates to confirm substrate overlap .
Counterclaim: Gcdh/Dhtkd1 double KO mice retain elevated C5DC (glutarylcarnitine), indicating residual OGDH-mediated flux .
Solution: Use metabolomics to confirm whether GA/3-HGA (DHTKD1-dependent) or 2-AAA (OGDH-dependent) accumulates in specific models .
To study DHTKD1’s impact on OXPHOS (oxidative phosphorylation):
Cell Model Selection: Use HAP-1 cells (haploid, human-derived) for clean KO phenotypes. Avoid cancer cell lines with variable mitochondrial function .
Seahorse Assay Protocols:
Western Blot Normalization: Use Complex V (ATP5A) or COX IV as loading controls to account for mitochondrial content .
Parameter | WT HAP-1 | DHTKD1 KO | p-value |
---|---|---|---|
Basal Respiration | 100 pmol/min | 62 pmol/min | <0.0001 |
Maximal Respiration | 150 pmol/min | 85 pmol/min | 0.0002 |
ATP Production | 65 pmol/min | 30 pmol/min | <0.0001 |
Hybrid Complex Analysis: Use PLA to map DHTKD1-OGDH interactions in diabetic or neurodegenerative models .
Metabolic Flux Studies: Track 13C-labeled lysine or glutamine through DHTKD1-dependent pathways using LC-MS/MS .
GWAS Integration: Validate DHTKD1 SNPs associated with cardiometabolic traits using CRISPR-edited isogenic cell lines .
Fixation: 4% PFA, 15 min at RT.
Blocking: 5% BSA + 0.1% Triton X-100.
Primary Antibodies: Mouse anti-DHTKD1 + rabbit anti-OGDH (1:200 dilution, overnight, 4°C).
Secondary Probes: PLA probes with DNA-based detection (e.g., Duolink) .
Common issues and solutions:
Cross-reactivity with OGDH:
Mitochondrial Matrix Contamination:
Overexposure in WB:
Problem | Diagnosis | Resolution |
---|---|---|
Double bands in WB | Degradation or isoforms | Add protease inhibitors (e.g., PMSF) |
No signal in KO cells | Insufficient denaturation | Boil samples in SDS-PAGE buffer longer |
Background in PLA | Secondary probe aggregation | Use fresh probes and optimize dilution |
In glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) and 2-aminoadipic aciduria (AMOXAD):
Pathway Visualization: Track glutaryl-CoA and 2-oxoadipate flux via OADHc and OGDHc using antibody-based IP/MS .
Therapeutic Target Validation: Assess substrate reduction efficacy by monitoring 2-AAA/OA accumulation in KO models .
Biomarker Development: Quantify DHTKD1 protein levels in patient-derived cells to correlate with disease severity .
Disorder | Biomarker | DHTKD1 KO Impact | Source |
---|---|---|---|
GA1 | Glutarylcarnitine (C5DC) | No reduction in Gcdh/Dhtkd1 double KO | |
AMOXAD | 2-AAA + 2-oxoadipic acid | Elevated in DHTKD1 deficiency |
Hybrid Complex Formation: Co-IP with DLST and DLD to confirm OADHc/OGDHc interactions .
Protein Stability: Use cycloheximide chase assays to assess DHTKD1 degradation in stress conditions (e.g., hypoxia) .
Post-translational Modifications: Detect phosphorylation or ubiquitination sites via site-specific antibodies .
Case Study: In HEK-293 cells, DHTKD1 interacts with OGDH and DLST, forming a hybrid complex. This interaction is lost in DHTKD1 KO cells, confirming antibody specificity .
Single-Cell Analysis: Combine DHTKD1 antibodies with mitochondrial markers (e.g., Tom20) for spatially resolved metabolomics .
CRISPR Screens: Use DHTKD1 antibodies to validate gene knockouts in high-throughput screens for metabolic diseases .
Proteome Profiling: Quantify DHTKD1 abundance across tissues using targeted mass spectrometry .
Application | Method | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Spatial proteomics | Imaging mass cytometry | Map DHTKD1 localization in metabolically active cells |
Metabolic flux analysis | 13C tracer + antibody pull-down | Track substrate flow through DHTKD1-dependent pathways |
Therapeutic monitoring | ELISA | Quantify DHTKD1 levels in response to inhibitors |