FAM107A Antibody

What is FAM107A and what are its key structural and functional characteristics?

FAM107A (Family with Sequence Similarity 107 Member A), also known as TU3A or DRR1, encodes a 144 amino-acid protein containing a coiled-coil domain and a nuclear localization signal. The protein functions as a transcription factor that regulates gene expression and signal transduction . FAM107A is a stress-inducible actin-binding protein that plays roles in:

• Modulating actin filamentous (F-actin) dynamics

• Mediating polymerization of globular actin to F-actin

• Binding to, stabilizing, and bundling F-actin

• Regulating neurite outgrowth in an actin-dependent manner

• Contributing to hippocampus-dependent cognitive functions like learning and memory

• Organizing actin and microtubule cytoskeleton

FAM107A is widely expressed in normal tissues (with the exception of peripheral blood cells) but shows significant loss of expression in various cancer types, suggesting its potential role as a tumor suppressor gene .

Based on published literature, FAM107A antibodies have been extensively utilized in the following tissues and cancer models:

Most Frequently Studied Organs/Tissues:

• Brain (>9 publications)

• Lung (>5 publications)

• Kidney (>4 publications)

• Vascular tissues (>3 publications)

• Embryonic tissues, stomach, and testis (>2 publications each)

Most Relevant Disease Models:

• Adenocarcinoma (>5 publications)

• Lung neoplasms (>4 publications)

• Kidney diseases (>4 publications)

• Breast neoplasms and nervous system diseases (>3 publications each)

• Glioma (>3 publications)

• Hepatocellular carcinoma and neoplasm metastasis (>2 publications each)

When designing experiments, researchers should consider these established models, particularly when studying comparative expression patterns or functional roles.

What are the key considerations for selecting an appropriate FAM107A antibody?

When selecting a FAM107A antibody for research, consider:

Antibody Characteristics:

• Host/Isotype: Most commonly rabbit/IgG polyclonal antibodies

• Reactivity: Verify reactivity with your species of interest (common reactivities include human and mouse)

• Target Region: Some antibodies target specific regions (e.g., middle region or C-terminus)

• Conjugation: Most are unconjugated, but verify based on your application needs

• Validation: Confirm the antibody has been validated for your specific application

Storage and Handling:

• Most FAM107A antibodies are supplied in PBS with 0.02-0.05% sodium azide and 50% glycerol at pH 7.3

• Typically stored at -20°C and stable for one year after shipment

• For -20°C storage, aliquoting may be unnecessary

How can FAM107A antibodies be used to study its dual roles in different cancer types?

FAM107A exhibits a paradoxical dual role in cancer biology, functioning as both a tumor suppressor and oncogene depending on cancer type. Methodological approaches to study these contrasting roles include:

For Tumor Suppressor Function:

• Compare FAM107A expression between matched normal and cancer tissues using IHC and Western blotting in renal cell carcinoma, lung cancer, and laryngeal tumors where expression is typically downregulated

• Analyze promoter methylation status in conjunction with protein expression to establish silencing mechanisms

• Perform rescue experiments by re-expressing FAM107A in cancer cell lines with loss of expression to assess tumor suppressive effects

For Oncogenic Function:

• Study FAM107A overexpression in glioblastoma using IHC and correlate with clinical outcomes

• Investigate the relationship between FAM107A expression and cancer cell migration/invasion in glioma models using IF to visualize cytoskeletal interactions

• Design knockdown experiments in FAM107A-overexpressing cell lines to assess the impact on proliferation and malignant behavior

This dual role highlights the importance of cancer-specific context when studying FAM107A function and the need for comprehensive validation across multiple cancer types.

What methodological approaches can be used to study FAM107A methylation-induced silencing?

To investigate methylation-induced silencing of FAM107A, researchers can employ the following methodological approaches:

• Methylation Analysis:

  • Perform bisulfite sequencing or methylation-specific PCR to quantify FAM107A promoter methylation

  • In laryngeal cancer studies, significant hypermethylation was observed in 9/15 cell lines (p<0.0001) and 15/21 primary tumors (p<0.0001)

• Combined Genetic and Epigenetic Analysis:

  • Assess chromosome 3p loss in conjunction with promoter methylation to investigate the "two-hit" mechanism

  • In LSCC, the combined loss of 3p and hypermethylation of FAM107A promoter region was shown to drive transcriptional silencing

• Demethylation Treatment:

  • Treat cell lines with hypomethylating agents like Decitabine to restore FAM107A expression

  • In the UT-SCC-29 cell line with high DNA methylation, Decitabine treatment resulted in a 5-6 fold increase in FAM107A expression

• Expression-Methylation Correlation:

  • Use FAM107A antibodies in conjunction with methylation analysis to correlate protein expression with methylation status

  • Establish causal relationships between hypermethylation and protein loss

These approaches provide comprehensive insights into the epigenetic regulation of FAM107A and its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target in cancers exhibiting methylation-induced silencing.

How can researchers investigate the relationship between FAM107A expression and immune cell infiltration?

The association between FAM107A expression and immune cell infiltration represents an emerging area of research, particularly relevant to cancer immunology. To investigate this relationship:

• Single-Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA):

  • Perform ssGSEA to quantify immune cell infiltration levels in tumor samples

  • Use Spearman correlation to assess relationships between FAM107A expression and immune cell populations

  • In prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD), FAM107A expression positively correlated with natural killer (NK) cells (R=0.637, P<0.001) and mast cells (R=0.661, P<0.001)

• Multiplex Immunofluorescence:

  • Utilize FAM107A antibodies in combination with immune cell markers in multiplex IF

  • Quantify spatial relationships between FAM107A-expressing cells and immune infiltrates

• Flow Cytometry:

  • Combine FAM107A antibody staining with immune cell surface markers to assess co-expression patterns

  • Sort cell populations based on FAM107A expression and analyze immune marker profiles

• Gene Expression Correlation:

  • Analyze correlations between FAM107A expression and immune-related genes in public databases

  • Generate heat maps to visualize relationships with different immune cell populations

These methodological approaches provide insights into how FAM107A may influence tumor immunogenicity and potential implications for immunotherapy response.

What are the optimal methods for correlating FAM107A expression with clinical outcomes in cancer patients?

To effectively correlate FAM107A expression with clinical outcomes:

These approaches enable robust assessment of FAM107A's clinical relevance and potential utility as a prognostic biomarker.

What are common technical challenges when using FAM107A antibodies and how can they be addressed?

Researchers may encounter several technical challenges when working with FAM107A antibodies:

Challenge: Inconsistent Staining Patterns

• Solution: Optimize antigen retrieval conditions. For IHC applications, FAM107A antibodies often perform best with TE buffer pH 9.0, though citrate buffer pH 6.0 can be used as an alternative

• Validate with positive control tissues: Human thyroid cancer tissue for IHC and MCF-7 cells for IF/ICC have shown reliable positive staining

Challenge: Low Signal Intensity

• Solution: Adjust antibody concentration through careful titration. Recommended dilutions vary by application (IHC: 1:500-1:2000; IF/ICC: 1:50-1:500)

• Extend incubation times or implement signal amplification techniques if necessary

Challenge: Background Staining

• Solution: Increase blocking time and ensure adequate washing steps

• Optimize secondary antibody dilution to reduce non-specific binding

Challenge: Shipping-Related Issues

• Solution: Be aware that small volumes of antibody may occasionally become entrapped in the seal of the product vial during shipment and storage

• Centrifuge the vial prior to opening to ensure recovery of the entire volume

How can researchers reconcile conflicting data about FAM107A's roles in different cancer types?

The apparently contradictory roles of FAM107A across cancer types requires careful experimental design and interpretation:

• Context-Specific Analysis:

  • Always perform experiments in multiple cell lines or tissue types representing different cancer contexts

  • Compare FAM107A function in matched normal vs. tumor samples from the same tissue origin

• Pathway Integration:

  • Investigate FAM107A in the context of tissue-specific signaling pathways

  • In PRAD, FAM107A expression relates to Wnt signaling, MAPK pathway, and immune responses

  • In neuroblastoma, FAM107A influences NF-kappa-B degradation in a COMMD1-dependent manner

• Protein Interaction Studies:

  • Use co-immunoprecipitation with FAM107A antibodies to identify tissue-specific binding partners

  • Different protein interactions may explain contrasting functions in different cellular contexts

• Functional Validation:

  • Conduct parallel gain- and loss-of-function studies in multiple cancer models

  • Employ tissue-specific in vivo models to validate in vitro findings

• Epigenetic Regulation:

  • Consider that the same gene may be regulated differently across tissue types

  • Analyze both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms controlling FAM107A expression

By employing these methodological approaches, researchers can better understand the nuanced roles of FAM107A across cancer types and potentially develop targeted therapeutic strategies.

What emerging applications of FAM107A antibodies show promise for cancer biomarker development?

Several promising research directions for FAM107A as a cancer biomarker include:

• Liquid Biopsy Development:

  • Investigate FAM107A protein levels in patient blood samples using highly sensitive ELISA

  • Correlate circulating FAM107A with tissue expression and clinical outcomes

  • Potential for minimally invasive prognostic or predictive testing

• Combined Biomarker Panels:

  • Integrate FAM107A with other molecular markers in multiparameter assays

  • In prostate cancer, combine with PSA, Gleason score, and TP53 status for improved prognostic accuracy

• Response Prediction:

  • Evaluate FAM107A expression as a predictor of response to epigenetic therapies

  • Given its methylation-based regulation, FAM107A could indicate potential responders to demethylating agents

• Imaging Biomarkers:

  • Develop FAM107A antibody-based imaging agents for tumor visualization

  • Particularly relevant for cancers with divergent expression patterns

These applications expand the utility of FAM107A beyond basic research into translational and clinical applications.

How might FAM107A antibodies be used to explore its role in actin cytoskeleton regulation?

FAM107A's role in cytoskeletal regulation presents unique research opportunities:

• Co-localization Studies:

  • Perform double immunofluorescence using FAM107A antibodies with actin markers

  • Visualize FAM107A's interaction with F-actin in various cellular contexts

  • Study subcellular localization during cytoskeletal remodeling events

• Live Cell Imaging:

  • Generate FAM107A-GFP fusion constructs and validate localization using antibodies

  • Track dynamic interactions with cytoskeletal elements during cell migration

• Stress Response Studies:

  • As a stress-inducible protein, examine FAM107A localization and expression under various cellular stressors

  • Correlate changes with cytoskeletal reorganization

• Neurite Outgrowth Assays:

  • Utilize FAM107A antibodies to monitor its role in neurite extension and synaptic function

  • Relevant for both neurodevelopmental research and cancer cell invasion studies

These methodological approaches connect FAM107A's molecular function to cellular phenotypes, bridging basic science with potential therapeutic applications.