The ERF062 Antibody (Product Code: CSB-PA874539XA01DOA) is a polyclonal reagent targeting the Ethylene Response Factor 062 (ERF062) protein in Arabidopsis thaliana. This antibody falls under the AP2/ERF transcription factor family, which regulates stress responses and developmental pathways in plants .
ERF062 belongs to the AP2/ERF superfamily, which binds to GCC-box cis-elements in promoters of pathogenesis-related genes. While ERF062's specific role is not fully characterized, related ERF proteins (e.g., ERF55/ERF58) interact with phytochromes to modulate light-dependent germination and stress responses :
Functional Analogs: ERF55/ERF58 form complexes with phyA/phyB photoreceptors, influencing seed germination under varying light conditions .
Structural Features: AP2/ERF proteins contain a conserved DNA-binding domain, but ERF062's epitope remains unmapped.
Current data about ERF062 Antibody is limited to commercial catalogs, with no peer-reviewed studies directly citing its use. This contrasts with extensively validated antibodies like those in the YCharOS initiative, where 50–75% of commercial antibodies showed utility in standard assays .
Functional Studies: Link ERF062 to specific pathways using knockout mutants or overexpression lines.
Technical Validation: Perform Western blotting with Arabidopsis protein extracts and include negative controls (e.g., erf062 mutants).
Comparative Analysis: Benchmark against antibodies for related ERFs (e.g., ERF057, ERF020) listed in the same catalog .
ERF062 Antibody belongs to the family of antibodies targeting components of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Similar to antibodies like Phospho-Erk1/2(Thr202/Tyr204), ERF062 recognizes specific phosphorylation states that are crucial for signal transduction in this pathway. The MAPK/ERK cascade plays essential roles in regulating diverse biological functions including cell growth, adhesion, survival, and differentiation through the regulation of transcription, translation, and cytoskeletal rearrangements .
When designing experiments, researchers should consider that antibodies targeting the MAPK pathway typically function in research applications such as Western blotting and ELISA, with specificity for particular phosphorylation sites that indicate activation states. For optimal experimental design, validation against positive and negative controls is essential to confirm target specificity.
For optimal preservation of antibody activity, storage protocols similar to those used for other research antibodies should be followed:
Maintain refrigerated storage at 2-8°C for short-term use (up to 2 weeks)
For long-term storage, keep at -20°C in small aliquots to prevent freeze-thaw cycles
When preparing working dilutions, use sterile techniques and appropriate buffer systems
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles which can lead to protein denaturation and loss of binding efficiency
For working dilutions, the standard practice is to prepare only the amount needed for immediate experiments. Remaining stock should be promptly returned to appropriate storage conditions. Documentation of freeze-thaw cycles is recommended as part of standard laboratory practice for tracking antibody performance over time.
Determining optimal dilution ratios requires systematic titration experiments for each specific application. Based on comparable antibodies:
| Application | Recommended Initial Dilution | Optimization Range | Buffer System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | 1:1000 | 1:500-1:2000 | TBS-T with 5% BSA or milk |
| ELISA | 1:2000 | 1:1000-1:5000 | PBS-T with 1% BSA |
| Immunofluorescence | 1:100 | 1:50-1:500 | PBS with 1% BSA |
| Flow Cytometry | 1:100 | 1:50-1:200 | PBS with 2% FBS |
Methodologically, researchers should perform a preliminary titration experiment using positive control samples containing the target protein. Plot signal-to-noise ratio against antibody concentration to identify the optimal working dilution that provides maximum specific signal with minimal background . When transitioning between different experimental systems or sample types, re-optimization is strongly recommended.
Cross-reactivity assessment requires systematic validation using both positive and negative controls. When deploying ERF062 Antibody in multi-protein detection systems:
Perform preliminary experiments with known positive samples (expressing target) and negative samples (target knockout or samples known not to express the target)
Include competition assays using purified antigen to confirm binding specificity
For multiplex systems, test for signal bleeding between channels by running single-stained controls
Consider using non-competing antibody combinations that target different epitopes for more robust detection systems
When designing multiplex experiments, the principle of using non-competing antibodies that can simultaneously bind to their targets (as demonstrated with the REGEN-COV antibody combination) provides a methodological framework applicable to many detection systems . Epitope mapping prior to experimental design can help identify potentially competing antibodies.
Validation of antibody specificity requires a multi-parameter approach:
Western blot analysis showing bands of expected molecular weight (and absence of non-specific bands)
Testing with positive and negative control samples (including genetic knockouts or knockdowns when available)
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to confirm target identity
Peptide competition assays to demonstrate epitope specificity
Cross-validation using alternative antibodies against the same target but recognizing different epitopes
Documentation of validation experiments should include images of complete blots (not just the region of interest), quantification of signal-to-noise ratios, and comparative analysis across different sample types. For phospho-specific antibodies, treatments that modulate phosphorylation status (e.g., phosphatase treatment or kinase activation) should be included as controls .
Lot-to-lot variability remains a significant challenge in antibody-based research. To address this methodically:
When receiving a new lot, perform side-by-side comparison with the previous lot using identical samples and protocols
Document key performance metrics including:
Signal intensity at standardized exposure settings
Background levels
Signal-to-noise ratio
Specific band pattern in Western blots
Detection threshold with serially diluted samples
Implementing a standardized validation workflow for each new antibody lot is critical. This should include testing on well-characterized positive control samples at multiple dilutions to establish a calibration curve . Researchers are advised to purchase sufficient quantities of a well-performing lot for long-term studies requiring maximum consistency.
Incorporating ERF062 Antibody into multiplex immunoassays requires careful consideration of antibody compatibility and detection systems:
Epitope compatibility assessment: Ensure antibodies in the multiplex panel recognize non-overlapping epitopes to prevent steric hindrance
Species compatibility: Select primary antibodies raised in different host species to enable species-specific secondary detection
Fluorophore selection: Choose fluorophores with minimal spectral overlap when designing fluorescence-based multiplex assays
Sequential detection protocols: For challenging combinations, implement sequential staining and detection protocols with stripping or blocking steps between rounds
The experience with antibody combinations like REGEN-COV demonstrates that non-competing antibodies can be effectively combined to simultaneously bind their targets. This principle can be applied to multiplex detection systems. When spatial resolution is required (as in imaging applications), additional controls for cross-reactivity become essential .
Affinity maturation can significantly enhance antibody performance for high-sensitivity applications. Key methodological considerations include:
Selection of the appropriate maturation strategy based on the initial antibody properties:
CDR library creation (particularly LCDR3 or HCDR2) can generate variants with improved binding characteristics
High-throughput off-rate determination should be used to select candidates with the highest affinities
Final clones should undergo comprehensive validation to ensure specificity is maintained along with improved sensitivity
Performance evaluation metrics for affinity-matured antibodies:
Kon and Koff rates measured by surface plasmon resonance
Sensitivity comparison using serial dilutions of target protein
Background binding assessment to confirm specificity is preserved
The affinity maturation process typically takes 6-7 months, including the initial antibody generation, testing, selection of parental clone, creation of new antibody libraries, and final affinity determination. For critical applications requiring enhanced sensitivity, this investment can be justified by the resulting performance improvements .
Inconsistent signal intensity is a common challenge in antibody-based experiments. A methodical troubleshooting approach includes:
Antibody performance assessment:
Test freshly prepared dilutions from frozen stock
Compare current results with historical positive controls
Verify storage conditions and freeze-thaw history
Sample preparation optimization:
Standardize protein extraction protocols
Verify protein concentration measurement accuracy
Consider phosphatase/protease inhibitor effectiveness
Evaluate sample buffer compatibility with the antibody
Detection system calibration:
Test secondary antibody performance with different primary antibodies
Verify detection reagent quality (ECL substrate, fluorophores)
Calibrate imaging systems using standardized samples
When troubleshooting, changing only one variable at a time allows for systematic identification of the problematic factor. Maintaining detailed records of experimental conditions, reagent lots, and equipment settings is essential for identifying patterns in performance variation .
Differentiating phosphorylation-specific signals from background in complex samples requires rigorous controls and optimized protocols:
Essential controls:
Phosphatase-treated samples to establish baseline signal
Stimulated vs. unstimulated samples with known phosphorylation responses
Phospho-blocking peptide competition assays
Knockout/knockdown samples when available
Signal enhancement strategies:
Optimize antigen retrieval methods for tissue sections
Implement tyramide signal amplification for low-abundance targets
Use phospho-enrichment techniques prior to detection
Apply computational background correction algorithms for imaging applications
Protocol refinements:
For tissue samples specifically, comparing adjacent sections with and without phosphatase treatment provides the most definitive control for phospho-specific antibody validation.
Antibody-cell conjugation represents an emerging frontier in which antibodies like ERF062 could be deployed for targeted cellular interactions:
Conjugation methodologies applicable to research antibodies:
Experimental design considerations:
Selection of appropriate conjugation chemistry based on antibody properties
Verification that conjugation does not impair antibody binding activity
Quantification of conjugation efficiency using flow cytometry or other methods
Assessment of conjugate stability under physiological conditions
The principle underlying ACC approaches is similar to that of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), but instead links antibodies with cells to create targeted cellular therapeutics. This approach leverages both the targeting specificity of antibodies and the natural effector functions of the conjugated cells .
The strategic combination of non-competing antibodies provides robust detection in evolving biological systems, particularly relevant for monitoring dynamic signaling pathways:
Combination strategy design:
Experimental implementation:
Sequential versus simultaneous application protocols
Compatible detection systems for multi-antibody approaches
Calibration standards for quantitative analysis with antibody combinations
Controls to verify the contribution of each antibody in the combination
The REGEN-COV antibody combination case study demonstrates that non-competing antibodies targeting different epitopes provide protection against escape variants. This principle can be applied to research contexts where target heterogeneity or dynamic modification could compromise detection with single antibodies .