DNASE2B (deoxyribonuclease II beta) is a paralog of DNASE2, sharing structural similarities but exhibiting distinct tissue-specific expression, primarily in salivary glands and lungs . Unlike DNASE2, which is ubiquitously expressed, DNASE2B's restricted localization suggests specialized roles in DNA clearance and cellular homeostasis . The DNASE2B antibody targets this protein, facilitating its detection and functional analysis in research settings.
A pan-cancer analysis revealed DNASE2B's variable prognostic significance across cancer types :
In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), DNASE2B overexpression correlates with advanced tumor stages and immune infiltration subtypes, suggesting its role in tumor microenvironment modulation .
DNA Degradation: DNASE2B contributes to lysosomal DNA hydrolysis, preventing aberrant immune activation by clearing apoptotic and phagocytosed DNA .
Autoinflammatory Diseases: DNASE2 deficiency in mice causes lethal interferon-driven inflammation, highlighting the importance of DNase II family proteins in immune regulation .
DNASE2B antibodies have been validated across multiple platforms:
IHC: Positive staining in human tonsillitis and prostate hyperplasia tissues .
Cross-Reactivity: Confirmed in guinea pig, rat, cow, and horse tissues .
Cancer Research: Investigating DNASE2B's dual role as a tumor suppressor or promoter, depending on cancer type .
Autoimmune Studies: Exploring its interaction with toll-like receptors (TLRs) and implications in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) .
Developmental Biology: Studying its role in erythropoiesis and keratinocyte differentiation .
While DNASE2B antibodies are widely used, their restricted reactivity to specific isoforms and lack of monoclonal variants limit some applications . Future studies could explore DNASE2B's glycosylation sites and catalytic mechanisms using advanced antibody derivatives .
DNASE2B (deoxyribonuclease II beta) is a lysosomal endonuclease that functions as the primary acid DNase essential for nuclear DNA degradation during lens cell differentiation. It shares considerable sequence similarity to and is structurally related to DNase II, which catalyzes DNA hydrolysis in the absence of divalent cations at acidic pH. Unlike DNase II which is ubiquitously expressed, DNASE2B expression is more restricted, with notable presence in the salivary gland and lungs .
The protein has:
Molecular weight of approximately 42 kDa
361 amino acids in its canonical form
Gene ID (NCBI): 58511
UniProt ID: Q8WZ79
Recent research has identified DNASE2B's potential involvement in cancer cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer .
When selecting a DNASE2B antibody, consider these key parameters based on your experimental objectives:
When evaluating technical specifications, review the antibody datasheet for:
Documented reactivity with specific cell lines (e.g., Jurkat cells, A549 cells)
Validation data for your intended application
Recommended positive control tissues (e.g., human tonsillitis tissue)
Storage conditions and stability information
For optimal Western blot detection of DNASE2B, follow these methodological guidelines:
Sample preparation:
Human cell lines showing consistent DNASE2B expression include Jurkat cells, A549 cells, HEK-293 cells, and HeLa cells
Use standard lysis buffers with protease inhibitors
Load 20-50 μg total protein per lane
Protocol optimization:
Use recommended dilutions: 1:1000-1:4000 for Proteintech antibody (22652-1-AP) or 1:500-1:2000 for Abbexa antibody
Expect detection at approximately 42 kDa molecular weight
Include positive controls (e.g., A549 cell lysate) validated for DNASE2B expression
For troubleshooting non-specific bands, increase blocking time or adjust antibody concentration
Research by Zhou et al. demonstrated successful DNASE2B protein detection in A549 cells using Western blot, validating DNASE2B knockdown experiments with clear band reduction at the expected molecular weight .
For effective DNASE2B detection in tissue sections:
Tissue preparation and antigen retrieval:
Positive control tissues: human tonsillitis tissue or human prostate hyperplasia tissue
Recommended antigen retrieval: TE buffer at pH 9.0 (primary) or citrate buffer at pH 6.0 (alternative)
Use 4-6 μm thick sections from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues
Staining protocol optimization:
Antibody dilution: Start with 1:20-1:200 range for most DNASE2B antibodies
Incubation conditions: Overnight at 4°C for primary antibody is typically optimal
Detection systems: HRP/DAB-based detection systems are commonly effective
Counterstaining: Hematoxylin provides good nuclear contrast
Always include validated positive and negative controls
For challenging samples, consider testing multiple antigen retrieval methods or extending primary antibody incubation time to enhance signal without increasing background.
When encountering discrepancies between Western blot and immunofluorescence results for DNASE2B:
Systematic analysis approach:
Verify antibody specificity:
Evaluate protein localization effects:
DNASE2B is primarily lysosomal, which may affect accessibility in fixed cells
Subcellular fractionation may reveal pools of protein not detected in whole cell lysates
Consider post-translational modifications:
Glycosylation or other modifications may affect epitope recognition differently in native vs. denatured conditions
Western blot uses denatured proteins while IF observes proteins in their cellular context
Experimental verification strategies:
Perform knockdown experiments to confirm antibody specificity
Use multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Include controls with known DNASE2B expression patterns
Research shows that DNASE2B has been successfully detected in A549 cells using both Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques , suggesting both approaches can be valid with proper optimization.
Common technical challenges when working with DNASE2B antibodies include:
For reliable results, verify antibody performance through:
Positive and negative controls in each experiment
Correlation with mRNA expression data when possible
Based on recent research by Zhou et al. (2018), DNASE2B plays a significant role in cell cycle regulation in non-small cell lung cancer cells . To investigate this function:
Experimental approach for cell cycle studies:
DNASE2B knockdown using shRNA or CRISPR:
Transfect cells with shDNASE2B lentivirus (verified with antibody detection)
Confirm knockdown efficiency via Western blot and qPCR (>70% reduction)
Cell cycle analysis:
Proliferation analysis:
Colony formation assay with crystal violet staining
Cell counting using Celigo Cell Counting application
MTT assay for metabolic activity assessment
Molecular mechanism investigation:
Analyze cell cycle regulators (Ki-67, PCNA) using DNASE2B antibodies in combination with antibodies against these markers
Correlate DNASE2B levels with cancer cell proliferation markers
Zhou et al. demonstrated that DNASE2B knockdown significantly reduced colony formation and proliferation in A549 cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target in NSCLC .
DNASE2 and DNASE2B share sequence similarity but have distinct biological functions that can be investigated using specific antibodies:
Comparative analysis approach:
Differential research strategies:
Co-immunoprecipitation studies:
Use specific antibodies against DNASE2 and DNASE2B to identify unique binding partners
Identify differential protein complexes in various cell types
Knockout model comparisons:
Immunofluorescence co-localization:
Use dual staining with specific antibodies to determine subcellular localization differences
Analyze co-localization with lysosomal markers
Functional assays:
Measure DNase activity in different pH conditions
Analyze DNA degradation patterns in different cellular contexts
Research has shown DNASE2 is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with decreased serum DNase activity correlating with antinucleosome antibody levels (rs = -0.256, p<0.01) , while DNASE2B has been implicated in cancer cell proliferation .
To comprehensively evaluate both DNASE2B protein levels and its enzymatic function:
Integrated experimental approach:
Protein expression quantification:
Enzymatic activity measurement:
Correlation analysis:
Compare expression levels with enzymatic activity across:
Different cell types
Normal vs. pathological conditions
Wild-type vs. mutant DNASE2B variants
Validation strategies:
Genetic manipulation (knockdown/overexpression) followed by activity assays
Use of specific inhibitors to confirm assay specificity
Recombinant DNASE2B protein as positive control
This integrated approach provides more comprehensive insights than protein detection alone and can reveal functional implications of DNASE2B expression changes in different research contexts.
Based on findings showing DNASE2B's role in NSCLC cell proliferation , researchers can explore its biomarker potential using these methodological approaches:
Biomarker validation strategy:
Tissue microarray analysis:
Multi-marker panel development:
Combine DNASE2B with established lung cancer markers
Perform multiplexed IHC with DNASE2B and cell cycle markers (Ki-67, PCNA)
Develop scoring system based on intensity and distribution patterns
Functional validation:
Correlate DNASE2B expression with S-phase depletion patterns
Analyze relationship between DNASE2B levels and treatment response
Liquid biopsy development:
Investigate circulating antibodies against DNASE2B in patient sera
Explore DNASE2B in extracellular vesicles from lung cancer patients
The research by Zhou et al. provides a foundation, showing DNASE2B knockdown significantly affects cell cycle with S-phase depletion (2.75% vs. 17.37% in controls, p<0.001) and reduced colony formation in A549 cells , suggesting its potential utility as a proliferation marker.
To distinguish between physiological and pathological DNASE2B functions:
Comprehensive analytical framework:
Quantitative expression analysis:
Use calibrated immunohistochemistry with DNASE2B antibodies
Implement digital pathology quantification methods
Compare expression levels across:
Normal vs. disease tissues
Different disease stages
Treatment-responsive vs. non-responsive samples
Subcellular localization analysis:
Use high-resolution immunofluorescence to detect aberrant localization
Co-stain with lysosomal markers to assess proper compartmentalization
Evaluate nuclear vs. cytoplasmic distribution ratios
Context-specific functional assays:
Assess DNA degradation capacity in tissue extracts
Measure acid DNase activity in normal vs. pathological samples
Correlate with cell proliferation markers in matched samples
Multi-omics integration:
Combine antibody-based detection with:
Transcriptomic data (RNA-seq)
Proteomic profiles
Genetic variant analysis (particularly in DNASE2B gene region)
This approach can help establish DNASE2B's normal baseline function in tissues like lung and identify pathological alterations associated with disease processes like cancer.
While DNASE2 has established roles in inflammation and autoimmunity , DNASE2B's potential involvement remains less explored. Researchers can investigate this connection using:
Investigative approach:
Parallel analysis of DNASE2 and DNASE2B:
Use specific antibodies to compare expression patterns in inflammatory conditions
Analyze co-expression with inflammatory markers in various tissue contexts
Study expression changes during inflammatory stimulation
Genetic manipulation models:
Nucleic acid sensing pathway analysis:
Investigate DNASE2B's potential role in preventing cytosolic DNA accumulation
Analyze interactions with cGAS-STING pathway components
Measure type I interferon responses in DNASE2B-deficient cells
Translational investigation:
This approach leverages insights from DNASE2 research while exploring DNASE2B's unique contributions to DNA clearance and inflammation regulation.
To expand understanding of DNASE2B's role in cellular differentiation:
Experimental framework:
Expression profiling across differentiation models:
Temporal dynamics analysis:
Time-course studies of DNASE2B expression during differentiation
Correlation with chromatin remodeling markers
Analysis of DNA degradation patterns at different differentiation stages
CRISPR-based functional genomics:
Generate tissue-specific DNASE2B knockout models
Perform lineage tracing with simultaneous DNASE2B detection
Analyze differentiation capacity in DNASE2B-deficient cells
Mechanistic investigations:
Study DNASE2B's involvement in programmed nuclear degradation
Compare with other DNases in differentiation contexts
Analyze epigenetic consequences of DNASE2B deficiency
These approaches can reveal whether DNASE2B's established role in lens cell differentiation extends to other cellular contexts, potentially identifying new biological functions and therapeutic targets.