At3g21130 is a putative F-box protein containing associated interaction domains in Arabidopsis thaliana. According to ThaleMine database records, it's identified with the locus tag AT3G21130 (locus:2092995) and UniProt accession Q9LJB9 . F-box proteins typically function as part of SCF (Skp, Cullin, F-box) ubiquitin ligase complexes, mediating protein-protein interactions and substrate recognition for targeted protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This protein plays potential roles in plant development, hormone signaling, and stress responses.
At3g21130 antibodies are versatile tools in plant molecular biology with several key applications:
| Application | Methodology | Typical Dilution | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western blotting | Protein separation by SDS-PAGE | 1:3000-1:5000 | Quantification of protein levels |
| Immunofluorescence | Fixed tissue visualization | 1:100-1:250 | Subcellular localization |
| Immunoprecipitation | Protein complex isolation | Variable | Identification of interaction partners |
| Expansion microscopy | Enhanced resolution imaging | 1:250 | Super-resolution visualization |
These applications help researchers study protein expression patterns, subcellular localization, post-translational modifications, and protein-protein interactions related to At3g21130 function .
Determining antibody specificity requires multiple validation approaches:
Primary validation: Western blot analysis using wild-type Arabidopsis extracts alongside At3g21130 knockout/knockdown lines. A specific antibody will show band absence or reduction in mutant lines.
Secondary validation: Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to confirm target protein enrichment.
Specificity controls: Pre-absorption with recombinant At3g21130 protein should eliminate signal if the antibody is specific.
Cross-reactivity testing: Testing against closely related F-box proteins to ensure specificity within the protein family.
The antibody should recognize the expected molecular weight protein (~45 kDa) with minimal cross-reactivity to other proteins .
For optimal immunoblotting results with At3g21130 antibodies:
Sample preparation:
Extract proteins from Arabidopsis tissues using a buffer containing 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1% Triton X-100, and protease inhibitor cocktail
Include phosphatase inhibitors if studying phosphorylation states
Western blot conditions:
Separate 20-30 μg total protein on 10-12% SDS-PAGE
Transfer to PVDF membrane at 100V for 1 hour or 30V overnight
Block with 5% non-fat milk in TBST for 1 hour at room temperature
Incubate with primary antibody (1:3000-1:5000) overnight at 4°C
Wash 3× with TBST, 10 minutes each
Incubate with HRP-conjugated secondary antibody (1:10,000) for 1 hour
Develop using enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) detection system
Controls: Always include positive controls (wild-type extract) and negative controls (At3g21130 knockout line and/or secondary antibody only) .
To study protein-protein interactions involving At3g21130:
Co-immunoprecipitation protocol:
Prepare plant tissue lysate in a gentle lysis buffer (25 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 1% NP-40, 5% glycerol, protease inhibitors)
Pre-clear lysate with Protein A/G beads
Incubate cleared lysate with At3g21130 antibody (5-10 μg) overnight at 4°C
Add Protein A/G beads for 2 hours
Wash beads extensively (at least 4 times)
Elute bound proteins by boiling in SDS sample buffer
Analyze by immunoblotting or mass spectrometry
Proximity ligation assay (PLA):
This technique allows visualization of protein-protein interactions in situ
Fix plant tissues and incubate with At3g21130 antibody plus antibody against putative interacting protein
Follow with PLA-specific secondary antibodies and detection reagents
This approach has proven successful for studying protein complexes in Arabidopsis, including those involving F-box proteins similar to At3g21130 .
When working with mutant lines:
Mutation type assessment: Determine whether the mutation affects:
Protein expression (null mutant)
Protein structure (truncation or domain mutation)
Post-translational modifications
Subcellular localization
Epitope accessibility: Confirm the antibody's epitope region isn't affected by the mutation
Expression level variation: Use loading controls appropriate for plant tissues (such as anti-actin antibodies) to normalize protein levels
Complementation analysis: Include complementation lines (e.g., cpk3-2/CPK3) alongside mutants to confirm phenotype specificity
Multiple antibody approach: When possible, use antibodies targeting different epitopes to verify results
This methodological approach has been demonstrated in studies of other Arabidopsis proteins, providing a framework for At3g21130 research .
Non-specific binding is a common challenge with plant antibodies. Implement these troubleshooting strategies:
Optimize blocking conditions:
Test different blocking agents (BSA, casein, commercial blockers)
Increase blocking time to 2 hours or overnight
Add 0.1-0.5% Tween-20 to reduce hydrophobic interactions
Adjust antibody conditions:
Increase antibody dilution (1:5000 to 1:10,000)
Reduce incubation temperature to 4°C
Add 5% non-fat milk to antibody dilution buffer
Implement additional washing steps:
Increase wash duration (15-20 minutes per wash)
Add higher salt concentration (250-500 mM NaCl) to wash buffer
Consider using 0.1% SDS in wash buffer for very sticky antibodies
Pre-absorb the antibody:
Incubate diluted antibody with extract from knockout plants
Use recombinant proteins for competitive blocking
Use validated antibody from reliable sources:
When faced with inconsistent results:
Systematic evaluation:
Document all experimental conditions in detail
Verify protein extraction efficiency across samples
Check for protein degradation using fresh protease inhibitors
Technical variables assessment:
Antibody lot-to-lot variation (request same lot for critical experiments)
Storage conditions (avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles)
Buffer composition differences
Biological variables consideration:
Plant growth conditions (light, temperature, humidity)
Developmental stage differences
Stress exposure prior to harvest
Circadian rhythm effects on protein expression
Advanced troubleshooting:
Peptide competition assays to confirm specificity
Multiple antibody comparison (polyclonal vs. monoclonal)
Mass spectrometry validation of immunoprecipitated proteins
This approach has been successfully employed in resolving contradictory findings in plant immunological research .
For accurate protein quantification:
Experimental design considerations:
Include time-course measurements to capture dynamics
Maintain strict environmental controls for reproducibility
Use biological replicates (minimum n=3) from independent experiments
Sample preparation optimization:
Standardize tissue collection and flash-freezing protocols
Use consistent protein extraction method across all samples
Include phosphatase inhibitors to preserve post-translational modifications
Quantification methodology:
Use infrared fluorescence-based Western blot systems for wider linear range
Include internal loading controls (anti-actin antibodies) on same membrane
Employ standard curves using recombinant protein for absolute quantification
Data analysis protocol:
Use image analysis software with background subtraction
Normalize target protein signal to loading control
Apply appropriate statistical tests (ANOVA with post-hoc tests for multiple conditions)
This approach provides more reliable quantification than traditional chemiluminescence methods, especially when measuring subtle changes in protein expression .
Advanced computational approaches enhance antibody-based experiments:
Epitope prediction and antibody design:
In silico approaches can identify optimal epitopes for antibody generation
Computational tools predict protein structure to identify accessible regions
Molecular docking simulations evaluate potential antibody-antigen interactions
Experimental validation enhancement:
Molecular dynamics simulations assess antibody stability
Statistical models optimize experimental design parameters
Machine learning algorithms improve signal detection in complex samples
Recommended computational tools:
| Tool Purpose | Example Tools | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Protein structure prediction | AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold | Identify optimal epitopes |
| Molecular docking | GROMACS, HADDOCK | Predict antibody-antigen interactions |
| Epitope prediction | BepiPred, IEDB | Design specific antibodies |
| Image analysis | ImageJ, CellProfiler | Quantify immunofluorescence signals |
These computational methods have revolutionized antibody research, increasing success rates while reducing experimental costs .
At3g21130 antibodies can illuminate plant immunity mechanisms:
Pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) analysis:
Track At3g21130 protein levels and modifications following PAMP exposure
Combine with phospho-specific antibodies to detect activation-dependent phosphorylation
Perform co-immunoprecipitation to identify immunity-specific interaction partners
Effector-triggered immunity (ETI) investigation:
Monitor At3g21130 stability during pathogen infection
Examine subcellular relocalization using immunofluorescence microscopy
Employ chromatin immunoprecipitation if At3g21130 regulates defense gene expression
Methodology integration with calcium signaling:
As demonstrated with CPK3 studies, combine antibody approaches with:
Actin cytoskeleton analysis using anti-actin antibodies
Pathogen growth assays to correlate protein function with resistance
Complementation studies in knockout lines
Recent research on Arabidopsis calcium-dependent protein kinase 3 (CPK3) provides a methodological framework applicable to studying At3g21130 in immunity contexts .
Cutting-edge single-cell approaches with At3g21130 antibodies:
Single-cell immunofluorescence:
Protoplast isolation followed by immunolabeling
Clearing methods for whole-tissue immunofluorescence with cellular resolution
Quantitative image analysis of protein abundance at single-cell level
Mass cytometry (CyTOF):
Metal-conjugated antibodies for high-dimensional cellular analysis
Simultaneous measurement of multiple proteins in single cells
Clustering algorithms to identify cell populations with distinct At3g21130 expression
Spatial transcriptomics integration:
Combine antibody detection with RNA analysis at tissue level
Correlate protein localization with gene expression patterns
Create comprehensive maps of protein-RNA relationships
These approaches provide unprecedented insights into protein function with cellular and subcellular resolution, revealing heterogeneity masked by traditional bulk methods .
Computational antibody design represents a transformative approach for At3g21130 research:
De novo antibody design advantages:
Generation of antibodies with predetermined specificity and affinity
Precise epitope targeting for specific protein domains or modifications
Reduced reliance on animal immunization
Faster development timelines
Current computational platforms:
Implementation methodology:
Protein sequence analysis to identify unique epitopes
Structure prediction to determine accessibility
Machine learning optimization of antibody-antigen interactions
Experimental validation through binding assays
These approaches have been successful for viral antigens and could be repurposed for plant proteins, potentially creating highly specific At3g21130 antibodies with superior performance characteristics .
Robust statistical analysis enhances antibody-based research reliability:
Experimental design considerations:
Power analysis to determine appropriate sample sizes
Randomization and blinding procedures to reduce bias
Inclusion of technical and biological replicates
Recommended statistical models:
Mixed-effects models to account for batch effects and biological variation
Non-parametric methods for data with non-normal distributions
Bayesian approaches for small sample sizes
Feature selection strategies when analyzing multiple antibodies simultaneously
Advanced analysis pipeline:
Data normalization using reference genes/proteins
Elimination of outliers based on objective criteria
Multiple testing correction for high-dimensional datasets
Integration of metadata for covariate analysis
These statistical approaches enhance data reliability and interpretation, particularly when analyzing subtle changes in protein abundance or modification states across experimental conditions .