The At2g07140 protein (UniProt accession: Q9ZV78) is a protein expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana, commonly known as Mouse-ear cress. This protein is the target of the At2g07140 antibody (catalog number CSB-PA154198XA01DOA) . Arabidopsis thaliana serves as an important model organism in plant biology research due to its relatively small genome, short generation time, and well-characterized genetics. The At2g07140 protein is studied to understand its specific cellular functions, expression patterns across different tissues, and its potential role in plant development or stress responses.
When designing experiments to study this protein, researchers should consider:
The protein's predicted molecular weight and expected cellular localization
Known expression patterns across different plant tissues and developmental stages
Potential post-translational modifications that might affect antibody binding
Available genetic resources such as knockout or overexpression lines in Arabidopsis
Antibody validation is critical for ensuring experimental reproducibility and reliability. Following the enhanced validation approach described in current literature, you should employ multiple orthogonal methods to validate the At2g07140 antibody . A comprehensive validation strategy includes:
Western blot analysis to confirm the antibody detects a protein of the expected molecular weight
Comparison with RNA expression data to verify consistency between protein and transcript levels
Use of genetic knockouts or knockdowns as negative controls
Testing in multiple relevant tissues where the protein is expected to be expressed
When possible, validation with independent antibodies targeting different epitopes of the same protein
According to established validation criteria, an antibody can be considered "approved" when it shows RNA expression pattern consistency and when the staining pattern is consistent with available literature, or when paired antibodies show similar expression patterns .
Proper experimental controls are essential for interpreting results obtained with the At2g07140 antibody. Include the following controls:
Positive control: A tissue or sample known to express the target protein
Negative control:
Primary antibody omission
Tissue from knockout/knockdown plants (if available)
Pre-absorption with the immunizing peptide/antigen
Loading control: Detection of a housekeeping protein to normalize expression levels
Isotype control: Use of an irrelevant antibody of the same isotype
Including these controls helps distinguish specific from non-specific binding and provides benchmark comparisons to validate experimental findings.
When facing weak or absent signals with the At2g07140 antibody, systematically investigate the following factors:
Antibody concentration: Titrate the antibody to determine optimal concentration
Antigen retrieval (for immunohistochemistry): Test multiple retrieval methods
Incubation conditions: Adjust time, temperature, and buffer composition
Blocking reagents: Test different blocking solutions to reduce background while maintaining specific signal
Detection system sensitivity: Consider enzyme-based vs. fluorescence-based detection
Sample preparation: Ensure protein extraction methods preserve the epitope
Target protein expression level: Verify if the target protein is expressed in your samples
Remember that antibody responses can be transient or variable in certain conditions, as observed in other biological systems . If your target protein is expressed at low levels, consider using amplification methods or more sensitive detection reagents.
Cross-reactivity occurs when an antibody binds to proteins other than its intended target. To assess and address cross-reactivity with the At2g07140 antibody:
Perform western blot analysis and look for unexpected bands
Compare immunostaining patterns with known expression patterns from RNA data
Test the antibody in tissues known not to express the target
Use mass spectrometry for immunoprecipitated samples to identify all bound proteins
Test the antibody in different species to evaluate conservation-based cross-reactivity
The enhanced validation criteria emphasize the importance of RNA similarity scores in determining antibody specificity . An antibody with high or medium RNA consistency scores is more likely to be specific to its target.
For rigorous spatial protein analysis using the At2g07140 antibody, consider implementing these advanced validation approaches:
Orthogonal validation: Compare results from antibody-based detection with alternative methods such as mRNA in situ hybridization or reporter gene fusions
Independent antibodies: Use multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes of the At2g07140 protein
Genetic approaches: Compare wildtype with knockout/knockdown plants
Super-resolution microscopy: For precise subcellular localization, combined with co-localization studies with known organelle markers
Proximity ligation assays: To validate protein-protein interactions
These approaches align with the enhanced validation strategy that has successfully uncovered missing proteins and proteins of unknown function in human tissues .
For optimal immunohistochemistry results with the At2g07140 antibody in plant tissues:
Tissue fixation:
Use 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 hours
Alternatively, test zinc-based fixatives which may better preserve some epitopes
Sectioning:
For paraffin sections: 5-8 μm thickness
For frozen sections: 10-15 μm thickness
Antigen retrieval:
Heat-induced epitope retrieval: Citrate buffer (pH 6.0), 95°C for 20 minutes
Enzymatic retrieval: Proteinase K (20 μg/ml) for 10-15 minutes
Blocking:
5% normal serum (from the species in which the secondary antibody was raised)
1% BSA in PBS with 0.1% Triton X-100
Block for 1 hour at room temperature
Primary antibody incubation:
Dilution: Start with 1:100-1:500 (optimize as needed)
Incubate overnight at 4°C
Detection system:
For brightfield: HRP/AP-based detection systems
For fluorescence: Use fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies
Counterstaining:
DAPI for nuclei
Calcofluor white for cell walls
This protocol should be optimized based on specific tissue types and experimental requirements.
The choice of technique depends on your specific research question:
| Technique | Best for | Limitations | Sample Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | Protein size verification, semi-quantitative analysis | No spatial information | Protein extraction, denaturation |
| Immunohistochemistry | Tissue/cellular localization | Lower quantitative accuracy | Fixation, sectioning |
| Immunofluorescence | Subcellular localization, co-localization | Autofluorescence in plant tissues | Fixation, permeabilization |
| ELISA | Quantitative analysis | No spatial information | Protein extraction |
| Immunoprecipitation | Protein-protein interactions | Potential for non-specific binding | Native protein extraction |
| ChIP | DNA-protein interactions | Requires high antibody specificity | Crosslinking, chromatin fragmentation |
When selecting a technique, consider:
The level of sensitivity required
Whether spatial information is important
If you need quantitative or qualitative data
Available equipment and expertise
Different Arabidopsis tissues require specific adaptations for optimal antibody performance:
Leaf tissue:
Challenge: High chlorophyll autofluorescence
Adaptation: Use brightfield IHC or red-shifted fluorophores; pre-treat samples with sodium borohydride to reduce autofluorescence
Root tissue:
Challenge: Dense cell walls
Adaptation: Extended proteinase K digestion; consider vibratome sectioning for thicker samples
Seed/silique:
Challenge: Hard tissues, difficult penetration
Adaptation: Extended fixation; additional permeabilization steps; vacuum infiltration
Floral tissue:
Challenge: Complex morphology, variable protein expression
Adaptation: Careful orientation during embedding; modified clearing protocols
Embryos:
Challenge: Small size, difficult to manipulate
Adaptation: Whole-mount procedures; extended antibody incubation times
For all tissue types, consider using the bispecific antibody design principles discussed in current literature to enhance specificity and reduce background .
For quantitative analysis of immunohistochemistry data:
Image acquisition:
Use consistent exposure settings across all samples
Capture multiple fields per sample (minimum 5-10)
Include all relevant controls in the same imaging session
Software-based quantification:
Use ImageJ/Fiji with appropriate plugins
Define regions of interest (ROIs) consistently across samples
Measure parameters such as:
Mean signal intensity
Integrated density
Area percentage
Colocalization coefficients (if applicable)
Normalization:
Subtract background signal
Normalize to internal controls
Consider cell/tissue density variations
Statistical analysis:
Use appropriate statistical tests based on data distribution
Compare between experimental groups
Report both statistical significance and effect size
Remember that antibody-based quantification provides relative rather than absolute values and should be interpreted accordingly.
When facing discrepancies between antibody-detected protein levels and transcript data:
Consider post-transcriptional regulation:
microRNA-mediated suppression
Translation efficiency differences
Protein stability and turnover rates
Evaluate technical factors:
Antibody specificity issues
Detection method sensitivity thresholds
RNA quantification accuracy
Biological explanations:
Temporal delays between transcription and translation
Tissue-specific post-transcriptional regulation
Protein transport between tissues
Validation approaches:
The RNA similarity score method described in enhanced validation approaches can help determine if such discrepancies represent a true biological phenomenon or a technical artifact .
Integrating the At2g07140 antibody into multi-omics research:
Proteomics integration:
Use the antibody for immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
Identify interaction partners and post-translational modifications
Compare with predicted protein-protein interaction networks
Transcriptomics correlation:
Map protein expression against transcriptome data
Identify discordant regions suggesting post-transcriptional regulation
Use single-cell approaches to resolve cell-type specific variations
Metabolomics connections:
Connect protein localization with metabolite distributions
Identify potential metabolic roles of At2g07140
Correlate protein levels with metabolic pathway activities
Phenomics relationships:
Link protein expression patterns with phenotypic variations
Use in genetic screens to identify functional relationships
Apply in natural variation studies
This multi-omics approach provides a comprehensive understanding of At2g07140 function within the broader biological context of Arabidopsis thaliana.
When developing new antibodies against At2g07140 or related proteins:
Epitope selection:
Choose regions with low sequence similarity to other proteins
Avoid transmembrane domains and highly conserved functional domains
Consider multiple epitopes for comprehensive protein detection
Antibody format considerations:
Validation strategy planning:
Production optimization:
Consider the expression system impact on post-translational modifications
Evaluate purification strategies to maintain epitope integrity
Test different conjugation approaches for specialized applications
Documentation:
Record detailed validation data for reproducibility
Document experimental conditions affecting performance
Share validation data with the research community
These considerations align with modern antibody engineering principles that emphasize both functionality and developability .