What is Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) and what is its biological significance?
Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) refers to histone H4 that has been dimethylated at the lysine residue at position 79. Histones are basic nuclear proteins responsible for the nucleosome structure of chromosomal fiber in eukaryotes. The nucleosome consists of approximately 146 bp of DNA wrapped around an octamer comprised of pairs of the four core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) . Histone methylation is a critical epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression. Methylation events that weaken binding between histone tails and DNA typically lead to increased transcription by making DNA more accessible to transcription factor proteins and RNA polymerase . While H3K79 methylation has been extensively studied and shown to be associated with active transcription in coding regions , H4K79 dimethylation represents another important histone modification involved in chromatin regulation.
How should I prepare samples for optimal results with Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody?
For optimal results with Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody, follow these methodological steps:
Western Blotting preparation: Use a dilution of 1:500-1:1000
Sample preparation: For histone extraction, use acid extraction methods that preserve post-translational modifications
Storage conditions: Store antibody at -20°C and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Buffer composition: The antibody is typically supplied in PBS with 0.02% sodium azide and 50% glycerol at pH 7.4
| Application | Recommended Dilution | Validated Species |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blotting | 1:500-1:1000 | Human, Mouse, Rat |
| Immunoprecipitation | Not specified | Not specified |
| ChIP | Not specified | Not specified |
How specific is the Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody?
Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody is highly specific for the dimethylated lysine 79 of histone H4. Based on patterns observed with similar histone modification antibodies, these antibodies are typically validated for specificity using:
Dot blot analysis against panels of modified histone peptides
Western blotting against recombinant histones with defined modifications
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
High-quality antibodies should not cross-react with:
What are the storage and handling requirements for Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody?
For optimal antibody performance and longevity:
Store at -20°C in the dark
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by preparing small working aliquots
The antibody is typically supplied in PBS with 0.02% sodium azide and 50% glycerol pH 7.4
When working with the antibody, keep it on ice
Centrifuge the antibody vial before opening to ensure all liquid is at the bottom
For long-term storage of diluted antibody solutions, add carrier proteins like BSA (0.1-1%) to prevent adsorption to surfaces
Monitor antibody performance over time as sensitivity may decrease with extended storage
What controls should be included when using Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody for ChIP experiments?
For rigorous ChIP experiments with Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody, include these essential controls:
Experimental controls:
Input DNA (pre-immunoprecipitation chromatin) - crucial for normalization
IgG control (same species as the primary antibody) - measures non-specific binding
No-antibody control - assesses background from beads/reagents
Positive control regions - known to be enriched for the modification
Negative control regions - known to lack the modification
Antibody validation controls:
Peptide competition assay - confirms specificity
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry - verifies target
Dot blot against modified peptide arrays - tests cross-reactivity
Biological controls:
Samples with known alterations in H4K79 methylation
Treatment with methyltransferase inhibitors
Cell types with different expression levels of methyltransferases
Based on practices established for H3K79me2 ChIP protocols , a systematic approach including positive control genes (EIF2S3, CCT5) and negative control regions (inactive genes like MYOD1 and satellite repeats) provides robust validation.
How can Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody be used to study the interplay between different histone modifications?
To study the interplay between histone modifications, researchers can employ several sophisticated approaches:
Sequential ChIP (Re-ChIP):
Perform ChIP with Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody
Elute the immunoprecipitated chromatin
Perform a second ChIP with antibodies against other modifications
This identifies regions with co-occurrence of both modifications
Integrated genomic analysis:
Perform separate ChIP-seq experiments for multiple modifications
Use computational approaches to identify regions of overlap or mutual exclusion
Correlate with transcriptomic data to assess functional consequences
Mass spectrometry-based approaches:
Immunoprecipitate nucleosomes with Di-Methyl-Histone H4 (Lys79) Antibody
Analyze co-occurring modifications using mass spectrometry
Quantify the relative abundance of different modification patterns
Proximity ligation assays:
Use antibodies against different modifications
Generate signal only when modifications are in close proximity
Provides spatial information about co-occurring modifications
The complex interplay between H4K79 dimethylation and other modifications likely functions within the broader context of the histone code, influencing transcription factor recruitment, chromatin accessibility, and gene expression.