DTX2 (deltex homolog 2) is a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase encoded by the DTX2 gene (NCBI Gene ID: 113878) and plays dual roles in Notch signaling, acting as both a positive and negative regulator depending on cellular context . It mediates ubiquitination processes, influencing cell fate determination and antineural activity . The protein is observed at ~68 kDa in Western blot (WB) analyses , with isoforms potentially contributing to molecular weight variations .
WB: Strong reactivity in cancer cell lines (e.g., HeLa, A549) .
IHC: Detected in human tissues with optimized antigen retrieval .
Cross-Reactivity: Human, mouse, rat (predicted in pig, bovine, horse) .
Titration: Optimal dilutions vary by experimental conditions; perform serial dilutions (e.g., 1:50 to 1:10,000) for new batches .
Storage: Stable at -20°C in PBS with 0.02% sodium azide and 50% glycerol .
DTX2 antibodies enable studies on Notch pathway modulation, particularly in cancer (e.g., oral squamous cell carcinoma) and developmental biology. While direct therapeutic applications are not yet established, DTX2's role in ubiquitination positions it as a potential target for drug discovery .
DTX2 (Deltex homolog 2) is a protein that functions as a probable E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. It belongs to the Deltex family with similarity to Drosophila Deltex and is also known as RNF58 (RING finger protein 58). The protein has a calculated molecular weight of approximately 67 kDa and plays important roles in signaling pathways, particularly those related to ubiquitination processes . DTX2 contains zinc ion binding domains and is involved in protein-protein interactions essential for cellular functions. The full-length human DTX2 protein consists of 575 amino acids and contains several functional domains including RING-finger motifs characteristic of E3 ubiquitin ligases .
DTX2 antibodies are primarily validated for Western Blot (WB) applications, making them suitable for protein expression analysis in denatured samples . While Western blotting is the main validated application, some manufacturers may also suggest using these antibodies for immunohistochemistry (IHC) on both paraffin sections (IHC-p) and frozen sections (IHC-f), immunofluorescence detection of cell samples (IF/ICC), and ELISA for detecting antigenic peptides . Researchers should note that optimal dilutions for each application need to be determined empirically, as sensitivity can vary across different experimental conditions and sample types.
Commercial DTX2 antibodies demonstrate confirmed reactivity with human, mouse, and rat samples . Computational prediction models suggest potential cross-reactivity with additional species including pig, bovine, horse, sheep, rabbit, and dog samples, though these predicted reactivities require experimental validation before use in critical experiments . When working with species not explicitly listed in the validated reactivity profile, preliminary testing is strongly recommended to confirm antibody specificity and performance in the specific context of your experimental system.
The choice between polyclonal and monoclonal DTX2 antibodies depends on experimental requirements:
A robust validation strategy for DTX2 antibodies should include:
Positive control testing: Confirmed DTX2-expressing cell lines such as HeLa, HepG2, MCF-7, and A549 cells should produce clear, specific bands at the expected molecular weight (67 kDa) .
Knockout/knockdown verification: Testing antibody reactivity in DTX2 knockout or knockdown models to confirm signal extinction or reduction.
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry: To confirm the identity of the captured protein.
Epitope mapping: Understanding the specific region recognized by the antibody helps predict potential cross-reactivity and effectiveness in different applications.
Cross-reactivity assessment: Testing against related proteins (e.g., other DTX family members) to ensure specificity.
Multiple application validation: If claiming utility across applications (WB, IHC, IF), the antibody should be validated in each context independently .
These validation steps ensure experimental reliability and help troubleshoot unexpected results when working with DTX2 antibodies in research settings.
For optimal DTX2 detection using Western blot, follow this methodological approach:
Sample preparation:
Lyse cells in RIPA buffer supplemented with protease inhibitors
Recommended protein load: 20-40 μg per lane
Heat samples at 95°C for 5 minutes in reducing sample buffer
Gel electrophoresis and transfer:
Use 8-10% SDS-PAGE gels (appropriate for 67 kDa proteins)
Transfer to PVDF membrane at 100V for 60-90 minutes or 30V overnight
Antibody incubation:
Block membrane with 5% non-fat milk or BSA in TBST for 1 hour
For polyclonal antibodies (e.g., DF12523): Use 1:1000 dilution
For monoclonal antibodies (e.g., 67209-1-Ig): Use 1:1000-1:6000 dilution
Incubate with primary antibody overnight at 4°C
Wash 3-5 times with TBST
Incubate with appropriate HRP-conjugated secondary antibody for 1 hour at room temperature
Wash 3-5 times with TBST
Detection:
Use enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) reagent
Expected band at approximately 67 kDa
Controls:
When encountering weak or non-specific signals with DTX2 antibodies, consider these methodological troubleshooting steps:
For weak signals:
Increase protein loading: Try 40-60 μg of total protein per lane
Optimize antibody concentration: Test concentrations up to 1:500 for enhanced sensitivity
Extend primary antibody incubation: Overnight at 4°C or 3-4 hours at room temperature
Use more sensitive detection systems: Switch to high-sensitivity ECL substrates
Optimize transfer conditions: Extend transfer time or use alternative buffer systems
Reduce washing stringency: Use lower concentrations of Tween-20 (0.05% instead of 0.1%)
For non-specific bands:
Increase blocking stringency: Use 5% BSA instead of milk, or extend blocking time
Optimize antibody dilution: Test higher dilutions (1:2000-1:6000) to reduce background
Add additional washing steps: Increase number and duration of washes
Verify sample integrity: Check for protein degradation in your samples
Test alternative lysate preparation methods: Different detergents may improve specificity
Pre-absorb antibody: Incubate with non-specific proteins before application
Implementing these methodological adjustments systematically can help identify the optimal conditions for DTX2 detection in your specific experimental system.
When selecting DTX2 antibodies for co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) studies, researchers should consider these methodological factors:
Epitope accessibility: Choose antibodies targeting epitopes that remain accessible in native conditions. Antibodies developed against peptides might perform poorly in co-IP compared to those raised against folded domains.
Antibody class selection: Monoclonal antibodies often provide higher specificity for co-IP, while polyclonal antibodies may capture more protein complexes due to recognition of multiple epitopes.
Validation requirements:
Verify the antibody can recognize native (non-denatured) DTX2
Confirm successful pull-down of DTX2 protein before proceeding to interaction studies
Include appropriate negative controls (isotype control antibodies)
Buffer optimization:
Test different lysis conditions (detergent types and concentrations)
Consider gentler detergents (NP-40, Triton X-100) that preserve protein-protein interactions
Include appropriate protease and phosphatase inhibitors
Technical approaches:
Consider pre-clearing lysates to reduce non-specific binding
Optimize antibody amount (typically 2-5 μg per mg of total protein)
Test both direct binding to beads and pre-binding to protein A/G
Confirmation strategies:
Validate interactions through reciprocal co-IP when possible
Confirm specificity through mass spectrometry analysis of immunoprecipitated complexes
While specific IP protocols for DTX2 antibodies aren't detailed in the provided search results, these general methodological principles should guide experimental design when studying DTX2 protein interactions .
DTX2 functions as a probable E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, making DTX2 antibodies valuable tools for studying ubiquitination pathways through these methodological approaches:
Detection of DTX2-mediated ubiquitination:
Perform ubiquitination assays by co-expressing DTX2, substrate proteins, and tagged ubiquitin
Immunoprecipitate potential substrates followed by DTX2 antibody detection
Use DTX2 antibodies to confirm the presence of DTX2 in ubiquitin-rich cellular compartments
Investigation of DTX2 regulation:
Examine DTX2 expression levels under different cellular conditions using Western blot analysis
Monitor DTX2 subcellular localization changes using immunofluorescence
Assess DTX2 protein half-life and stability through cycloheximide chase experiments
Structure-function analysis:
Use DTX2 antibodies recognizing specific domains to study their role in substrate recognition
Implement domain mapping through deletion mutants and subsequent immunodetection
Compare wild-type and RING domain mutants to understand catalytic requirements
Pathway analysis:
Combine DTX2 antibodies with antibodies against known E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes in co-IP studies
Investigate the relationship between DTX2 and deubiquitinating enzymes
Use proximity ligation assays to visualize DTX2-substrate interactions in situ
These methodological approaches leverage DTX2 antibodies to elucidate the protein's role in ubiquitination pathways, potentially revealing novel therapeutic targets and regulatory mechanisms .
When designing multiplex immunofluorescence experiments involving DTX2 antibodies, researchers should consider these methodological factors:
Antibody compatibility:
Select DTX2 antibodies raised in different host species than other target antibodies
If using same-species antibodies, consider directly conjugated primary antibodies
Test for cross-reactivity between secondary antibodies
Signal optimization:
Determine optimal dilution ranges specifically for immunofluorescence applications
Test different fixation methods (paraformaldehyde, methanol, or acetone) to preserve epitopes
Optimize antigen retrieval methods if necessary for formalin-fixed tissues
Controls for multiplexing:
Include single-stained controls to assess bleed-through between channels
Use isotype controls to evaluate non-specific binding
Include biological negative controls (tissues/cells not expressing DTX2)
Technical considerations:
Order antibody application based on sensitivity (typically start with weaker signals)
Consider sequential rather than simultaneous staining for challenging combinations
Implement spectral unmixing for closely overlapping fluorophores
Validation approaches:
Compare staining patterns with those obtained in single-staining experiments
Verify subcellular localization patterns against published literature
Use siRNA knockdown controls to confirm specificity in multiplex contexts
While specific immunofluorescence protocols for DTX2 are not detailed in the provided search results, these methodological principles should guide experimental design when incorporating DTX2 antibodies into multiplex studies .
DTX2 antibodies can be instrumental in mapping protein-protein interaction networks through these methodological approaches:
Affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry:
Use DTX2 antibodies for immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry analysis
Implement RIME (Rapid Immunoprecipitation Mass spectrometry of Endogenous proteins) to identify protein complexes
Compare interaction profiles under different cellular conditions to identify context-specific interactions
Proximity-based labeling:
Combine DTX2 antibodies with BioID or APEX2 proximity labeling technologies
Validate proximity labeling results with traditional co-IP using DTX2 antibodies
Use DTX2 antibodies to confirm the expression of biotinylated proteins in specific cellular compartments
Protein microarray applications:
Probe protein arrays with purified DTX2 to identify novel interactions
Validate array-based discoveries through reciprocal immunoprecipitation with DTX2 antibodies
Develop quantitative interaction maps by combining multiple antibodies against DTX2 and its partners
Structural biology integration:
Use DTX2 antibodies to validate interaction interfaces identified through structural studies
Implement antibody-based competition assays to map binding domains
Develop domain-specific antibodies to dissect the interaction requirements
These methodological approaches leverage DTX2 antibodies to construct comprehensive interaction networks, providing insights into the protein's functional roles in cellular signaling and ubiquitination pathways .
DTX2 antibodies can be valuable tools for investigating post-translational modifications (PTMs) through these methodological approaches:
Detection of modified DTX2 forms:
Use general DTX2 antibodies to identify mobility shifts indicative of modifications
Compare migration patterns in different cell types and under various treatments
Combine with phosphatase or deubiquitinase treatments to confirm modification types
PTM-specific approaches:
Use phospho-specific antibodies (if available) to monitor DTX2 activation states
Employ ubiquitin antibodies in DTX2 immunoprecipitates to assess auto-ubiquitination
Implement Phos-tag gels with DTX2 antibodies to resolve phosphorylated species
Mass spectrometry integration:
Immunoprecipitate DTX2 under native conditions to preserve modifications
Process samples for mass spectrometry to identify specific modified residues
Validate mass spectrometry findings with targeted antibody approaches
Functional correlation:
Compare PTM profiles with DTX2 enzymatic activity measurements
Assess how modifications affect DTX2 subcellular localization
Investigate the impact of PTMs on DTX2 protein-protein interactions
Temporal dynamics:
Monitor modification changes during cell cycle progression
Assess DTX2 modifications in response to cellular stresses
Track the kinetics of modification/demodification following stimulation
These methodological approaches enable researchers to understand how post-translational modifications regulate DTX2 function, potentially revealing novel mechanisms of E3 ligase regulation and substrate recognition .