ID2 was tested in BALB/c mice using three regimens:
ID2 alone (20 µg/dose in PBS).
ID2 + Alum (aluminum hydroxide adjuvant).
ID2 + GLA-SE (TLR-4 agonist adjuvant).
Immunization Group | Anti-ID2 IgG Titer (Post-4th Dose) | A32 Competition (%) | ADCC Activity (% Cytotoxicity) |
---|---|---|---|
ID2 alone | Low/undetectable | <20% | None |
ID2 + Alum | Moderate | 40–60% | Modest (non-significant) |
ID2 + GLA-SE | High | >80% | Significant (peaked at 1:10 dilution) |
GLA-SE adjuvant induced the highest anti-ID2 titers and ADCC activity .
Sera from GLA-SE groups blocked >80% of A32 and N5-i5 monoclonal antibody binding to ID2, confirming epitope specificity .
Conformational dependence: Adsorption with denatured ID2 did not reduce binding to native ID2, confirming recognition of conformational epitopes .
Cross-clade reactivity: ID2-induced antibodies mediated ADCC against clade B BaL gp120, demonstrating broad applicability .
ID2 antibodies showed no neutralization against tier 2 HIV-1 strains, consistent with their non-neutralizing, effector-function-focused design .
ID2 serves as a tool to study the role of non-neutralizing antibodies in protection against HIV-1. Key findings include:
ADCC enhancement: GLA-SE-adjuvanted ID2 elicited robust ADCC, critical for clearing infected cells .
Memory response: A fourth booster dose at week 8 increased antibody titers, suggesting durable immunity .
While ID2 targets HIV, other antibodies like anti-DSG2 (post-COVID-19 autoimmunity ) and IA-2 (type 2 diabetes ) highlight diverse pathological roles of autoantibodies. For example:
Antibody Target | Clinical Context | Key Finding |
---|---|---|
ID2 | HIV-1 immunity | Induces ADCC against conserved epitopes |
DSG2 | Post-COVID-19 syndrome | Elevated in 29.3% of recovered patients |
IA-2 | Latent autoimmune diabetes | Linked to insulin deficiency in youth |
KEGG: spo:SPBC13G1.12
STRING: 4896.SPBC13G1.12.1
DVL2 is a segment polarity protein dishevelled homolog encoded by the DVL2 gene in humans. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 78.9 kilodaltons and plays a crucial role in Wnt signaling pathways . DVL2 acts as a mediator between cell surface receptors and downstream signaling components, making it an important target for studying development, cell polarization, and various disease states including cancer.
DVL2 antibodies are frequently employed in multiple research applications including Western Blot (WB), Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Immunofluorescence (IF), Immunocytochemistry (ICC), and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) . Each application requires specific optimization, with Western blotting being particularly valuable for quantifying DVL2 protein levels and identifying potential post-translational modifications.
When selecting a DVL2 antibody, consider that many commercially available antibodies react with human samples, while some also cross-react with mouse, rat, canine, porcine, and monkey orthologs . For comparative studies across species, it's essential to verify the cross-reactivity of your chosen antibody through literature or validation data from suppliers.
For robust experimental design, incorporate positive controls using tissues or cell lines known to express DVL2 (such as neuronal tissues or Wnt-responsive cell lines). For negative controls, consider using:
Primary antibody omission controls
Isotype controls matching the DVL2 antibody host species
Blocking peptide competition assays
Tissue from DVL2 knockout models (where available)
These controls help distinguish specific from non-specific binding and validate antibody performance across experimental conditions .
When designing experiments for DVL2 detection, systematically control:
Independent Variables:
Antibody concentration
Incubation time and temperature
Blocking reagents
Sample preparation methods
Dependent Variables:
Signal intensity
Signal-to-noise ratio
Reproducibility across replicates
Extraneous Variables:
Sample storage conditions
Potential cross-reactivity with other Dishevelled family members
Optimal antibody dilution varies by application. Based on available data, recommended starting dilutions are:
Application | Recommended Dilution Range | Optimization Approach |
---|---|---|
Western Blot | 1:500-1:2000 | Titration series with 2-fold dilutions |
IHC | 1:50-1:500 | Begin with manufacturer recommendations, then optimize based on signal-to-noise ratio |
IF/ICC | 1:100-1:500 | Test multiple fixation methods alongside antibody dilutions |
ELISA | 1:1000-1:5000 | Standard curve with known protein concentrations |
Always titrate the antibody in your specific experimental system to determine optimal conditions .
Validating DVL2 antibody specificity requires a multi-faceted approach:
Molecular weight verification: Confirm the observed band matches the expected 78.9 kDa size for DVL2
Knockdown/knockout validation: Use siRNA, CRISPR, or other genetic approaches to reduce DVL2 expression and confirm corresponding reduction in antibody signal
Peptide competition: Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide to block specific binding
Orthogonal detection methods: Compare results using antibodies targeting different DVL2 epitopes
Mass spectrometry validation: For ultimate confirmation, perform immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
This comprehensive validation approach ensures reliable experimental outcomes and addresses potential non-specific binding issues .
Sample preparation significantly impacts DVL2 antibody performance. For optimal results:
For Western Blot:
Use RIPA or NP-40 based lysis buffers containing protease inhibitors
Include phosphatase inhibitors if studying DVL2 phosphorylation status
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Consider subcellular fractionation to separate cytoplasmic from nuclear DVL2 pools
For IHC/IF:
Test both formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and frozen sections
For FFPE, antigen retrieval with TE buffer pH 9.0 often works well (similar to protocols for other membrane-associated proteins)
For cultured cells, 4% paraformaldehyde fixation followed by 0.1% Triton X-100 permeabilization typically yields good results
These preparation methods preserve DVL2 antigenicity while maintaining tissue/cellular morphology.
Inconsistent DVL2 Western blot signals may result from several factors:
Sample degradation: Ensure complete protease inhibition during sample preparation
Insufficient transfer: Optimize transfer conditions for the 78.9 kDa DVL2 protein
Antibody degradation: Aliquot antibodies to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Post-translational modifications: DVL2 undergoes phosphorylation and ubiquitination, which can affect migration patterns
Background issues: Use 5% BSA instead of milk for blocking when significant background appears
Systematic troubleshooting of each variable can resolve inconsistent results. Document optimization steps carefully for reproducible outcomes .
When different DVL2 antibodies yield contradictory results:
Compare epitope locations: Different antibodies may target distinct regions of DVL2 that are differentially accessible in certain contexts
Evaluate isoform specificity: Confirm whether antibodies recognize all or specific DVL2 isoforms
Assess post-translational modifications: Some antibodies may be sensitive to phosphorylation or other modifications
Check for cross-reactivity: Particularly with other Dishevelled family members (DVL1, DVL3)
Validate with orthogonal methods: Confirm protein expression using non-antibody methods (e.g., mass spectrometry, RNA expression)
DVL2 antibodies are powerful tools for investigating Wnt signaling complexes through:
Co-immunoprecipitation: Pull down DVL2 to identify interaction partners in different contexts
Proximity ligation assays: Visualize in situ protein-protein interactions between DVL2 and other Wnt pathway components
ChIP-seq applications: Study DVL2 association with chromatin when using nuclear fractions
FRET/BRET approaches: Combine antibody-based detection with fluorescent protein tags to study dynamic interactions
Super-resolution microscopy: Investigate DVL2 clustering and membrane association during Wnt pathway activation
These approaches have revealed critical insights into DVL2's role as a scaffolding protein in signal transduction .
When investigating DVL2 alongside other Dishevelled family members:
Specificity verification: Confirm antibody specificity against DVL1, DVL2, and DVL3 through overexpression systems
Functional redundancy: Design experiments acknowledging that Dishevelled proteins have partially overlapping functions
Tissue-specific expression: Account for differential expression patterns across tissues and developmental stages
Domain-specific antibodies: Consider using antibodies targeting unique regions outside the conserved DIX, PDZ, and DEP domains
Compensation mechanisms: In knockdown studies, monitor potential compensatory upregulation of other family members
These considerations help distinguish DVL2-specific roles from general Dishevelled functions in developmental and disease contexts .