PYD2 has been instrumental in:
Epitope Mapping: Its linear epitope (aa 587–607) enables precise localization of Polychaetoid domains critical for cytoskeletal interactions .
Developmental Studies: Used to analyze adherens junction dynamics during Drosophila embryogenesis .
Validation Initiatives: Distributed by the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank (DSHB), it is part of global efforts to standardize antibody reproducibility in protein characterization .
Specificity: PYD2 exclusively reacts with Drosophila Polychaetoid, showing no cross-reactivity with mammalian homologs like ZO-1 .
Structural Insights: The targeted epitope lies in a conserved region required for protein-protein interactions, aiding mechanistic studies of cell polarity .
Technical Validation: Recommended for use at 2–5 µg/ml in IHC/IF, with validation data publicly accessible via the DSHB .
PYD2’s linear epitope strategy contrasts with conformational epitope-targeting antibodies (e.g., HCV E2 antibodies or malaria vaccine candidates ). Unlike therapeutic antibodies blocking ligand-receptor interactions , PYD2 serves as a structural probe.
Phospho-PYK2/FAK2 (Y402) Antibody specifically recognizes the phosphorylated tyrosine residue at position 402 of Protein Tyrosine Kinase 2 (PYK2), also known as Focal Adhesion Kinase 2 (FAK2). This antibody detects activated PYK2, which plays critical roles in cellular signaling pathways .
The antibody has been validated for detecting specific bands at approximately 105-115 kDa in Western blot applications and approximately 113 kDa in Simple Western systems when working with human cell lines . This specificity makes it particularly valuable for studying signaling cascades, especially in immune cells as demonstrated by its application in detecting phosphorylated PYK2 in Raji human Burkitt's lymphoma and Jurkat human acute T cell leukemia cell lines .
Based on research data and user reviews, Phospho-PYK2/FAK2 (Y402) Antibody has been validated for multiple applications as shown in the following table:
Researchers should note that optimal dilutions should be determined for each specific application and laboratory condition .
When validating PYK2 antibody specificity, researchers should implement a multi-step approach:
Positive control verification: Test the antibody on samples known to express phosphorylated PYK2, such as pervanadate-treated Raji or Jurkat cell lines .
Negative control testing: Include untreated cells where phosphorylation is minimal as comparative controls .
Stimulation response: Confirm increased signal after treatments that activate PYK2 signaling (e.g., pervanadate treatment or CD3e antibody stimulation as demonstrated in published protocols) .
Molecular weight verification: Confirm detection at the expected molecular weight (105-115 kDa for PYK2) .
Cross-reactivity assessment: Test against closely related proteins like FAK1 to ensure specificity for the intended target.
Optimization of cell stimulation protocols for PYK2 phosphorylation studies should consider:
Stimulation parameters:
Pervanadate concentration: Typically effective at 0.2-1.0 mM for 30 minutes
Receptor-mediated activation: For T cells, anti-CD3e antibody at 10 μg/mL for 15 minutes has proven effective
Time course: Monitor phosphorylation at multiple time points (5, 15, 30, 60 minutes) to identify peak activation
Buffer considerations:
Use phosphatase inhibitors to prevent dephosphorylation during sample preparation
Process samples quickly at cold temperatures to preserve phosphorylation state
Select appropriate lysis buffers that maintain protein conformation while effectively solubilizing membrane-associated proteins
Validation controls:
Include both untreated and treated samples from the same cell population
Consider using siRNA or CRISPR knockout cells for antibody specificity validation
The selection of method should consider the research question, required sensitivity, and available sample quantity. For low abundance samples, Simple Western or ELISA may offer superior sensitivity compared to traditional Western blotting .
Integrating PYK2 antibodies into structural biology requires sophisticated approaches similar to those used for other antibody-antigen structural studies:
Epitope mapping techniques:
X-ray crystallography of antibody-RBD complexes can reveal precise interaction sites, as demonstrated for other antibody-target interactions
High-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can visualize antibody binding to larger protein complexes, potentially useful for PYK2 complexes with binding partners
Conformational state detection:
Methodological considerations:
When facing contradictory results from different phospho-specific PYK2 antibodies, researchers should implement a systematic troubleshooting approach:
Epitope characterization:
Determine precise epitope recognition sites for each antibody
Consider that antibodies targeting different regions around the phosphorylation site may have varying accessibility depending on protein conformation or binding partners
Validation with orthogonal techniques:
Employ mass spectrometry to definitively identify phosphorylation sites
Use phosphatase treatment controls to confirm signal specificity
Validate with genetic approaches (phospho-null mutants)
Binding affinity assessment:
Compare affinity constants of different antibodies
Investigate potential cross-reactivity with closely related epitopes
Data integration framework:
Develop a weighted scoring system considering antibody validation extent
Implement multivariate analysis to identify patterns in seemingly contradictory results
Consider contextual factors (cell type, stimulation protocol, detection method) that might explain divergent findings
Advanced computational approaches can significantly improve antibody specificity profiling:
Biophysics-informed modeling:
Specificity engineering:
Experimental validation:
Applications to PYK2 antibodies:
Models could predict cross-reactivity with related kinases or phosphorylation sites
Enable design of antibodies that specifically discriminate between different phosphorylation states or conformations of PYK2
When developing multiplex systems that include PYK2 phosphorylation detection:
Antibody compatibility assessment:
Test for antibody cross-reactivity and interference
Validate signal specificity in the presence of multiple detection reagents
Optimize antibody concentrations to achieve balanced sensitivity across targets
Signal normalization strategy:
Implement housekeeping proteins as internal controls
Develop standard curves for each target in multiplex format
Consider ratiometric measurements (phospho-PYK2/total PYK2)
Technical parameters:
Optimize incubation times and washing protocols specific to multiplex formats
Select compatible fluorophores or tags with minimal spectral overlap
Validate with both positive and negative control samples
Data analysis frameworks:
Develop algorithms for correcting signal spillover between channels
Implement statistical approaches for handling multiparameter data
Consider machine learning for pattern recognition in complex datasets
Emerging antibody engineering approaches hold promise for enhanced PYK2 detection:
Stereotypic antibody development:
Structure-guided optimization:
Antibody cocktail approaches:
Developing complementary antibody combinations that recognize distinct epitopes
Creating synergistic binding profiles that enhance signal-to-noise ratios
Novel modalities:
Engineered nanobodies with enhanced tissue penetration
Synthetic binding proteins based on alternative scaffolds
Proximity-dependent labeling antibodies for detecting PYK2 in specific protein complexes
PYK2 antibody applications are expanding into single-cell analysis through:
Technical innovations:
Integration with mass cytometry (CyTOF) for high-dimensional analysis of phospho-signaling
Compatibility with microfluidic platforms for dynamic stimulation studies
Development of specialized fixation protocols that preserve phosphorylation states while enabling single-cell resolution
Analytical approaches:
Trajectory analysis of phosphorylation events at the single-cell level
Correlation of PYK2 phosphorylation with other signaling nodes
Identification of rare cell populations with distinctive PYK2 activation profiles
Biological insights:
Mapping cell-type-specific PYK2 signaling networks
Identifying signaling heterogeneity within seemingly homogeneous populations
Connecting PYK2 activation patterns to functional cellular outcomes