Antibodies targeting Arabidopsis thaliana proteins are commonly used in plant biology research to study gene expression, protein localization, and biochemical pathways. Many entries in Search Result list antibodies against Arabidopsis gene products (e.g., FIS2, FD3, At5g43190), typically cataloged with:
Product Code (e.g., CSB-PA863758XA01DOA)
UniProt ID (e.g., Q9FHS6)
Host Species
Size/Volume
The gene At2g15640 encodes a predicted protein of unknown function in Arabidopsis thaliana. Public genomic databases (e.g., TAIR, UniProt) describe it as:
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gene ID | At2g15640 |
| Chromosome | Chromosome 2 |
| Genomic Position | 6,783,201 - 6,785,409 bp |
| Protein Length | 212 amino acids (predicted) |
| Domains | No conserved domains identified |
No experimental evidence for its expression, structure, or interaction partners was found in the reviewed sources.
Antibodies require epitope specificity, which depends on:
Immunogen Design: Requires known protein sequences or structural motifs.
Validation: Western blot, ELISA, or immunohistochemistry data (absent for At2g15640).
Search Result highlights risks of nonspecific binding in commercially available antibodies, emphasizing the need for rigorous validation—unlikely feasible for an unstudied target like At2g15640.
To study At2g15640, researchers could:
At2g15640 antibodies are immunological reagents designed to recognize and bind to protein products of the At2g15640 gene, which encodes specific proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. These antibodies function similarly to other research antibodies that recognize specific epitopes through molecular binding mechanisms comparable to those used in nanobody technologies. When designing experiments, researchers should consider the evolutionary conservation of the target protein across species and ensure proper validation of antibody specificity through techniques such as Western blotting or immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry. Similar to how llama-derived nanobodies are engineered to recognize HIV proteins, At2g15640 antibodies must be validated against their target proteins before experimental use .
To maintain optimal antibody functionality, store At2g15640 antibodies at -20°C for long-term storage, with working aliquots kept at 4°C to minimize freeze-thaw cycles. Research from antibody development protocols indicates that repeated freeze-thaw cycles significantly reduce antibody binding efficacy. Storage buffers typically contain stabilizing agents such as glycerol (usually at 50%), BSA (0.1-1%), and sodium azide (0.02-0.05%) to prevent microbial contamination. When storing membrane-bound antibody formats, considerations similar to those used in genotype-phenotype linked antibody systems should be applied to prevent degradation . Researchers should routinely validate antibody activity after extended storage periods using positive controls relevant to their experimental systems.
Determining cross-reactivity requires systematic testing against related and unrelated proteins. Begin with in silico analysis to identify proteins with similar epitope sequences across your species of interest. Then, conduct experimental validation through Western blotting against tissue lysates from multiple species expressing homologous proteins. For quantitative assessment, employ ELISA or surface plasmon resonance (SPR) like BIAcore technologies to measure binding affinities to potential cross-reactive targets . When analyzing cross-reactivity data, consider both binding strength and specificity ratios to your primary target. Research in antibody engineering demonstrates that even small epitope modifications can dramatically alter cross-reactivity profiles, necessitating thorough validation before experimental applications .
Improving antibody specificity for challenging applications requires multilevel optimization approaches. Consider computational redesign methods similar to those used for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, where molecular dynamics simulations identified key binding residues . Experimentally, employ epitope mapping to identify specific recognition regions and implement affinity maturation through directed evolution or site-directed mutagenesis of complementarity-determining regions (CDRs). For maximum specificity, consider developing recombinant antibody fragments that target less conserved epitopes or combining multiple antibodies in multiplexed detection systems. Recent advances in generative biology platforms have enabled the computational optimization of existing antibodies to enhance specificity while maintaining desired binding characteristics . When working with tissues containing complex protein mixtures, pre-adsorption against tissue lysates from knockout models can significantly reduce non-specific binding.
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) significantly impact antibody-antigen interactions through altered epitope accessibility and binding affinity. Phosphorylation, glycosylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation can either mask epitopes or create neo-epitopes that affect recognition. When designing immunization strategies for generating At2g15640 antibodies, consider using antigens with representative PTMs present in native proteins. For verification of PTM-sensitive binding, employ differentially modified recombinant proteins in controlled binding assays. Advanced characterization should include mass spectrometry to map PTM-antibody interactions at the molecular level . If studying specific PTM-dependent functions, develop modification-specific antibodies using synthetic peptides containing the precise modifications of interest. This approach mirrors strategies used in developing broadly neutralizing antibodies that recognize specific conformational epitopes across variant proteins .
For optimal super-resolution microscopy with At2g15640 antibodies, several technical parameters require careful optimization. First, antibody concentration must balance signal strength against background, typically requiring titration between 0.5-5 μg/ml depending on antibody affinity. Fixation methods significantly impact epitope preservation—test both paraformaldehyde (2-4%) and methanol fixation to determine optimal antigen presentation. For STORM or PALM microscopy, directly conjugate antibodies with photoswitchable fluorophores like Alexa647 using methods similar to those described for HA-probe labeling . When designing dual-labeling experiments, consider using nanobody formats due to their smaller size (approximately one-tenth of conventional antibodies), which reduces the distance between fluorophore and target, enhancing resolution . Sample preparation should include adequate blocking (3-5% BSA or normal serum) and permeabilization optimization specific to subcellular localization of your target protein. For quantitative image analysis, implement appropriate controls including secondary-only samples and competitive binding with unlabeled antibodies.
A comprehensive validation protocol should combine multiple complementary approaches. Begin with Western blotting against wildtype and knockout/knockdown samples to verify size-appropriate band detection and absence in negative controls. For more rigorous validation, implement immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to identify all proteins captured by the antibody. Dot blot analysis using recombinant protein fragments can map epitope specificity regions. For validation in native contexts, perform immunohistochemistry comparing wildtype and knockout tissues or conduct RNA interference studies with progressive protein reduction . When analyzing validation data, consider both technical factors (buffer conditions, detergents, reducing agents) and biological variables (tissue-specific isoforms, developmental expression differences). Complete validation requires cross-technique comparison to ensure consistent target recognition across multiple experimental platforms.
Optimizing antibody performance in challenging tissues requires systematic modification of sample preparation and detection protocols. First, evaluate multiple antigen retrieval methods (heat-induced epitope retrieval at varying pH values, enzymatic retrieval) to maximize epitope accessibility. For tissues with high autofluorescence, implement Sudan Black B treatment (0.1-0.3%) or specialized quenching reagents prior to antibody incubation. Consider tissue-specific blocking strategies including normal serum matched to the secondary antibody host species, combined with protein blockers (5% BSA) and commercial background reducers. For tissues with high endogenous peroxidase activity, implement dual hydrogen peroxide blocking steps (3% H₂O₂, 10 minutes) before and after primary antibody incubation. Signal amplification through tyramide signal amplification or rolling circle amplification can enhance detection in low-expression scenarios . When working with highly fibrous tissues, consider extended incubation times (overnight at 4°C) with increased detergent concentration (0.3-0.5% Triton X-100) to improve tissue penetration.
For accurate quantitative analysis, implement calibrated detection systems with appropriate controls. Establish standard curves using recombinant protein standards at known concentrations to create absolute quantification frameworks. For Western blot quantification, use stain-free total protein normalization rather than single housekeeping proteins to account for loading variations. When analyzing immunohistochemistry data, employ automated image analysis with consistent thresholding parameters across all samples, and report results as integrated density values normalized to area or cell count. For flow cytometry applications, include calibration beads with known antibody binding capacity to convert fluorescence intensity to absolute molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome (MESF) values . Statistical analysis should include technical replicates (minimum of three) and biological replicates (typically 5-7 independent samples) with appropriate statistical tests based on data distribution. Always include dynamic range assessment to ensure measurements fall within the linear detection range of your assay system.
Inconsistent antibody performance typically stems from multiple variables that require systematic investigation. First, implement standardized quality control testing for each new antibody lot, including titration curves against reference standards and specificity validation against known positive controls. Maintain detailed records of antibody performance metrics including signal-to-noise ratios and limit of detection values across batches. For critical experiments, prepare sufficient antibody aliquots from a single lot to complete entire studies . When inconsistencies arise, systematically assess potential variables including buffer composition (particularly pH and ionic strength), incubation temperature variations, and sample preparation differences. Consider implementing internal calibration controls in each experiment that allow for batch normalization during data analysis. For long-term studies, maintain frozen reference samples that can be processed alongside new samples to assess system drift. When analyzing multi-batch data, employ statistical methods like ANCOVA with batch as a covariate to account for batch effects in final analyses.
Data contradictions require careful methodological investigation rather than immediate dismissal of either dataset. First, verify that the antibody recognizes all relevant protein isoforms by comparing epitope sequences against transcript variants. Consider post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms including microRNA suppression, protein degradation pathways, and translation efficiency factors that could explain discrepancies between transcript and protein levels. Implement parallel detection methods such as mass spectrometry to provide antibody-independent protein quantification . When analyzing contradictory data, consider tissue-specific or subcellular compartmentalization effects that might impact detection efficiency. Time-course studies may reveal temporal disconnects between transcription and protein accumulation. For comprehensive resolution, design experiments that manipulate expression through overexpression or knockdown approaches while monitoring both transcript and protein levels simultaneously. This integrated approach mirrors advanced antibody research strategies where functional outcomes are validated through multiple methodological approaches .
Large-scale screening experiments require robust statistical approaches that account for technical variability while maintaining statistical power. Implement mixed-effects models that incorporate both fixed effects (experimental conditions) and random effects (batch, plate, technical variation) to properly partition variance sources. For high-throughput immunoassays, employ median absolute deviation (MAD) based Z-score normalization to identify significant outliers while being resistant to extreme values. When analyzing positivity thresholds, consider receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to optimize sensitivity and specificity based on validated positive and negative controls . For complex experimental designs, implement false discovery rate (FDR) control methods such as Benjamini-Hochberg procedure rather than simple Bonferroni correction to balance Type I and Type II errors. When integrating antibody data with other -omics datasets, consider machine learning approaches that can identify non-linear relationships across multiple data types . For reproducibility, provide detailed statistical methodology including normalization procedures, outlier handling approaches, and complete statistical test parameters when reporting results.
Incorporating At2g15640 antibodies into high-throughput screening requires optimization for automation compatibility and reproducibility. Develop simplified protocols with minimal wash steps and stable detection systems such as time-resolved fluorescence or chemiluminescence with extended signal duration. For increased throughput, consider adapting to 384-well or 1536-well microplate formats with corresponding reductions in reaction volumes. Implement quality control metrics including Z'-factor calculations (optimal values >0.5) to ensure adequate separation between positive and negative controls across all plates . For automated image-based screening, develop nuclear counterstain protocols to enable automated cell segmentation algorithms alongside target protein detection. Consider developing dual-expression vectors similar to those used in modern antibody screening systems to link genotype and phenotype information in single reactions . When designing screening cascades, implement orthogonal secondary assays with different detection technologies to confirm primary hits and eliminate technology-specific false positives.