ENO4 belongs to the enolase family, which catalyzes the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate in glycolysis. Key characteristics include:
Tissue specificity: Predominantly expressed in spermatogenic cells, with transcripts detected in mouse testes by postnatal day 12 .
Structural role: Required for fibrous sheath (FS) assembly in sperm flagella. Disruption of Eno4 in mice causes infertility, reduced sperm motility (~50%), and coiled flagella with disorganized FS .
Enzymatic activity: Accounts for ~90% of total enolase activity in sperm .
Commercially available ENO4 antibodies are primarily polyclonal, raised in rabbits, and validated for diverse applications:
Knockout models: Eno4<sup>Gt/Gt</sup> mice exhibit:
Biomarker potential: ENO4 is detectable in human sperm and testicular tissue, with aberrant expression linked to idiopathic infertility .
Antibody validation: Antibodies like ab204433 show specificity for ENO4 over other enolase isoforms (ENO1/2/3) in immunoblots .
Cross-reactivity: Commercial antibodies show no cross-reactivity with ENO1/2/3 in mouse and human tissues .
Buffer compatibility: Optimized for PBS-based assays but may require antigen retrieval in IHC .
Storage: Stable at -20°C with minimal freeze-thaw degradation .
ENO4, also known as Enolase 4 or C10orf134, is a protein that catalyzes the reversible conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate, an essential step in glycolysis critical for cellular energy production . Research indicates that ENO4 is primarily expressed in the testis and appears essential for sperm function and motility . Studies in mouse models demonstrate that ENO4 is the predominant enolase in sperm cells, where it contributes to proper assembly of the fibrous sheath, a cytoskeletal structure unique to sperm flagellum . Disruption of the ENO4 gene in mice results in significant fertility issues, including reduced sperm motility and structural abnormalities in sperm flagella .
ENO4 antibodies have been validated for multiple research applications, enabling comprehensive protein characterization:
When designing experiments, researchers should perform antibody validation and optimization for their specific biological samples, as reactivity can vary based on sample preparation methods and the specific epitope targeted by the antibody .
To preserve antibody functionality and specificity, ENO4 antibodies should be stored as small aliquots at -20°C, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can cause protein denaturation and reduced activity . Commercial ENO4 antibodies are typically supplied in PBS buffer containing 0.09% sodium azide as a preservative . When working with ENO4 antibodies:
Thaw aliquots completely before use and maintain on ice during experimental procedures
Centrifuge briefly before opening to collect solution at the bottom of the vial
Return unused portions to storage promptly
Use proper personal protective equipment when handling, as some preparations contain hazardous components like sodium azide
Document lot numbers and maintain consistency within experimental series to minimize variation
Proper experimental controls are essential for interpreting results with ENO4 antibodies:
Positive controls: Tissues or cell lines with known ENO4 expression, such as testicular tissue, RT4 or U251 MG cell lysates for Western blot applications
Negative controls: Samples with confirmed absence of ENO4 expression, or tissues from ENO4 knockout models
Loading controls: Use established housekeeping proteins (β-actin, GAPDH) when quantifying ENO4 expression by Western blot
Primary antibody omission: Samples processed identically but without primary antibody addition to identify non-specific binding of secondary antibodies
Isotype controls: Use of irrelevant antibodies of the same isotype and concentration to identify non-specific interactions
ENO4 antibodies provide valuable tools for investigating male infertility through multiple methodological approaches:
Comparative expression studies: ENO4 antibodies can be used to compare protein expression levels between fertile and infertile individuals through quantitative Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Research demonstrated that ENO4 knockout mice exhibit significantly reduced sperm motility and structural abnormalities in the fibrous sheath, suggesting similar mechanisms may contribute to human male infertility .
Subcellular localization analysis: Immunofluorescence microscopy with ENO4 antibodies reveals that the protein localizes primarily to the sperm flagellum, specifically associated with the fibrous sheath structure. Altered localization patterns may correlate with specific infertility phenotypes .
Functional coupling studies: By pairing ENO4 immunoprecipitation with enzymatic activity assays, researchers can assess whether mutations or post-translational modifications affect the protein's catalytic function in converting 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate during glycolysis .
Protein-protein interaction networks: ENO4 antibodies enable co-immunoprecipitation experiments to identify binding partners within the sperm flagellum, providing insights into the molecular architecture of the fibrous sheath and its role in sperm function .
When investigating infertility, researchers should consider combining ENO4 antibody-based approaches with genetic analysis, as gene trap experiments in mice have established a direct link between ENO4 disruption and male infertility .
Cross-reactivity with other enolase isoforms (ENO1, ENO2, ENO3) represents a significant challenge when working with ENO4 antibodies due to sequence homology among family members. To address this:
Epitope selection: Choose antibodies targeting unique regions within ENO4. The amino acid sequence 334-353 (N-CLPPPKQETKKGHNGSKRAQP-COOH) has been successfully used to generate ENO4-specific antibodies with minimal cross-reactivity .
Absorption controls: Pre-absorb ENO4 antibodies with recombinant ENO1, ENO2, and ENO3 proteins to deplete cross-reactive antibodies before experimental use.
Knockout verification: Validate antibody specificity using tissues from ENO4 knockout models as negative controls. ENO4 Gt/Gt mouse models provide excellent specificity controls, as demonstrated in published research .
Orthogonal detection methods: Confirm antibody specificity by correlating protein detection with mRNA expression using techniques like qRT-PCR or RNA-seq.
Western blot analysis: Compare banding patterns with known molecular weights (ENO4: 69 kDa, ENO1: 47 kDa, ENO2: 47 kDa, ENO3: 47 kDa) to identify potential cross-reactivity .
Researchers studying ENO4 should note that the gene Gm5506 encodes a protein identical to ENO1 and is transcribed at low levels in testis, which may complicate interpretation of results if antibodies cross-react .
Optimizing ENO4 antibody protocols for reproductive tissues requires addressing tissue-specific challenges:
Fixation optimization: For testicular and epididymal tissues, 2% paraformaldehyde (PFA) fixation for 15 minutes at room temperature followed by 50 mM glycine in PBS for 30 minutes has been successfully employed to preserve ENO4 antigenicity while maintaining tissue architecture .
Antigen retrieval methods:
Heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer (pH 6.0) for 20 minutes
Enzymatic retrieval using proteinase K (20 μg/mL for 15 minutes at 37°C)
Comparison of retrieval methods by signal-to-noise ratio assessment
Permeabilization protocol: Ice-cold methanol permeabilization for 1 minute provides optimal antibody access to ENO4 epitopes in sperm cells while preserving cellular structures .
Signal amplification strategies: For low-abundance detection, implement tyramide signal amplification or quantum dot-based detection systems to enhance sensitivity while maintaining specificity.
Multi-labeling approaches: Combine ENO4 detection with markers of sperm differentiation stages (ACR, PRM1, PRM2) or structural components (AKAP4) to contextualize ENO4 expression patterns during spermatogenesis .
Dilution optimization experiments indicate that 1:50 dilution of commercial ENO4 antibodies typically provides optimal staining in paraffin-embedded human testicular tissues, while maintaining acceptable background levels .
Researchers encountering variability in ENO4 antibody results should implement a systematic troubleshooting approach:
Antibody characterization panel:
Test multiple lots of the same antibody
Compare monoclonal versus polyclonal antibodies targeting different ENO4 epitopes
Document reactivity patterns across experimental conditions
Sample preparation standardization:
Establish consistent tissue harvesting protocols, particularly important for testicular tissues where ENO4 expression varies with the spermatogenic cycle
Implement standardized protein extraction methods optimized for membrane-associated proteins
Control for post-translational modifications by using phosphatase or deglycosylation treatments prior to analysis
Quantitative validation:
Employ recombinant ENO4 protein standards in Western blotting
Use digital image analysis with calibrated exposure settings
Implement statistical analysis to distinguish biological from technical variation
Complementary techniques:
Researchers should note that ENO4 expression is highly tissue-specific, with predominant expression in testis beginning around postnatal day 12 in mice, which coincides with the onset of meiosis during spermatogenesis .
The method of ENO4 antibody generation significantly influences detection characteristics:
Current evidence indicates that polyclonal antibodies generated against the central region (amino acids 388-414) or the 50-150 amino acid region of human ENO4 provide optimal detection sensitivity across multiple applications . Antibodies targeting the 334-353 amino acid region have demonstrated excellent specificity in mouse models .
Successful Western blot analysis of ENO4 requires optimization of several parameters:
Sample preparation:
Electrophoresis conditions:
Employ 10% polyacrylamide gels for optimal resolution around the 69 kDa range where ENO4 migrates
Include molecular weight markers spanning 50-100 kDa range for accurate band identification
Consider gradient gels (4-15%) when analyzing multiple proteins simultaneously
Transfer parameters:
Implement semi-dry transfer at 15V for 60 minutes or wet transfer at 100V for 60 minutes
Use PVDF membranes with 0.45 μm pore size for optimal protein retention
Verify transfer efficiency with reversible staining methods (Ponceau S)
Antibody incubation:
Detection optimization:
Employ enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) for standard detection
Consider fluorescent secondary antibodies for multiplexing and quantitative analysis
Validate results with multiple exposure times to ensure linear range detection
Research indicates that ENO4 typically appears as a 69 kDa band in Western blots, though post-translational modifications may result in additional bands or mobility shifts in certain tissues or developmental stages .
ENO4 antibodies enable sophisticated comparative analyses in reproductive pathology research:
Quantitative expression profiling:
Implement tissue microarray analysis with ENO4 antibodies to compare expression across multiple patient samples simultaneously
Utilize digital pathology tools to quantify staining intensity, subcellular localization, and cell-type specificity
Correlate ENO4 expression patterns with clinical parameters such as sperm count, motility, and morphology
Functional correlation studies:
Pair ENO4 immunodetection with enzymatic activity assays to correlate protein levels with glycolytic function
Investigate whether ENO4 expression correlates with ATP production in sperm cells
Analyze ENO4 in conjunction with other glycolytic enzymes to identify metabolic bottlenecks in pathological samples
Structural analysis approaches:
Combine ENO4 immunogold labeling with electron microscopy to assess ultrastructural localization in normal versus abnormal sperm
Implement super-resolution microscopy (STORM, STED) with ENO4 antibodies to map precise distribution within the fibrous sheath
Correlate ENO4 mislocalization with structural abnormalities in the sperm flagellum
Temporal expression analysis:
Mouse models have demonstrated that ENO4 disruption results in a 2-fold reduction in epididymal sperm numbers and substantial decrease in sperm motility, suggesting that similar quantitative assessments may reveal correlations with human infertility phenotypes .
Selecting the optimal ENO4 antibody for sperm metabolism research requires careful consideration of several factors:
Target epitope location:
Choose antibodies targeting conserved catalytic domains (amino acids 50-150) when investigating enzymatic function
Select antibodies recognizing C-terminal regions (amino acids 388-414) for studying protein-protein interactions
Consider antibodies against unique regions (amino acids 334-353) when specificity is paramount
Species cross-reactivity:
Application compatibility:
Validation evidence:
Technical considerations:
Research has established that ENO4 provides most of the enolase activity in sperm, while ENO1 (and possibly the ENO1-identical Gm5506 gene product) contributes only minor activity, making ENO4-specific antibodies particularly valuable for sperm metabolism studies .
High background when using ENO4 antibodies can be systematically reduced through multiple approaches:
Blocking optimization:
Antibody dilution optimization:
Tissue-specific considerations:
Fixation adjustments:
Technical controls:
Empirical data indicate that a 1:50 dilution for immunohistochemistry and 4 μg/mL for immunofluorescence provide optimal signal-to-noise ratios for ENO4 detection in most tissues, though this should be validated for each experimental system .
Researchers may encounter variations in ENO4's apparent molecular weight across different experimental systems. To address this:
Sample preparation factors:
Post-translational modification analysis:
Treat samples with phosphatase to identify phosphorylation-dependent mobility shifts
Apply deglycosylation enzymes (PNGase F, O-glycosidase) to assess glycosylation status
Consider other modifications by comparing mobility with prediction algorithms
Gel system optimization:
Isoform consideration:
Methodological validation:
Ensuring reproducible quantitative results with ENO4 antibodies requires implementing robust standardization protocols:
Antibody validation and standardization:
Sample processing standardization:
Technical replication strategy:
Normalization approaches:
Data analysis standardization:
Research on ENO4 mouse models has demonstrated that quantitative analysis requires careful standardization, as disruption of ENO4 expression leads to approximately 50% reduction in enolase enzymatic activity in sperm, highlighting the protein's substantial contribution to sperm metabolism .
Accurate interpretation of ENO4 subcellular localization requires addressing several technical and biological complexities:
Fixation and permeabilization effects:
Compare multiple fixation methods (2% PFA, methanol, acetone) to verify consistent localization patterns
Assess different permeabilization approaches (Triton X-100, saponin, digitonin) for their effect on membrane structures
Consider the impact of fixation duration on epitope accessibility and structural preservation
Resolution limitations:
Co-localization analysis:
Species-specific considerations:
Maturation state analysis:
Research has established that ENO4 predominantly localizes to the fibrous sheath in the principal piece of the sperm flagellum, consistent with its role in providing localized ATP production for sperm motility. This localization is disrupted in ENO4 knockout mouse models, resulting in coiled flagella and disorganized fibrous sheath structures .
ENO4 antibodies offer several promising avenues for male contraceptive research:
Target validation studies:
Functional inhibition screening:
Mechanism elucidation:
Delivery system development:
Mouse knockout studies demonstrate that disruption of ENO4 leads to male infertility through multiple mechanisms including reduced sperm numbers, impaired motility, and structural abnormalities in the sperm flagellum, suggesting that targeted inhibition could provide an effective contraceptive approach with multiple mechanisms of action .
Emerging technologies offer opportunities to advance ENO4 detection capabilities:
Proximity ligation assays (PLA):
CRISPR-engineered reporter systems:
Mass spectrometry applications:
Single-cell analysis technologies:
Advanced imaging techniques:
These emerging approaches could address current limitations in studying ENO4, particularly regarding the protein's dynamic behavior during sperm activation and the relationship between its enzymatic function and structural role in the fibrous sheath .
ENO4 antibodies can facilitate comparative evolutionary studies across species:
Cross-species reactivity assessment:
Comparative localization studies:
Functional conservation analysis:
Developmental expression profiling:
Paralog relationship studies:
Research has established that while ENO4 provides the majority of enolase activity in mouse sperm, ENO1 and potentially the ENO1-identical Gm5506 gene product contribute minor activity, suggesting evolutionary adaptations that could vary across species with different sperm energy requirements .
ENO4 antibodies hold promise for developing diagnostic approaches for male infertility:
Diagnostic panel development:
Morphological assessment enhancement:
Non-invasive testing approaches:
Personalized treatment stratification:
Genetic counseling integration:
Mouse models demonstrate that ENO4 disruption creates a distinctive phenotype including coiled flagella and disorganized fibrous sheath, suggesting that similar structural abnormalities in human sperm might be linked to ENO4 dysfunction and could be detected using antibody-based approaches .