The At1g56610 antibody is a specific antibody targeting the protein encoded by the At1g56610 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism widely used in plant biology. This antibody is crucial for research involving plant physiology, genetics, and molecular biology, as it allows scientists to study the expression and function of the corresponding protein in various biological contexts.
Gene Details:
Gene Name: At1g56610
Organism: Arabidopsis thaliana
Chromosomal Location: Chromosome 1
Function: The At1g56610 gene encodes a protein involved in various cellular processes, including stress response and metabolic regulation.
Protein Characteristics:
Molecular Weight: Approximately 30 kDa
Structure: The protein is predicted to have multiple transmembrane domains, indicating its potential role in membrane transport or signaling pathways.
The At1g56610 antibody is typically produced through immunization of host animals (such as rabbits or mice) with the recombinant protein or synthetic peptides corresponding to the target protein. The generated antibodies are then purified using affinity chromatography techniques to ensure specificity and reduce cross-reactivity with other proteins.
The At1g56610 antibody has several applications in plant research:
Western Blotting: Used to detect the presence and quantify the target protein in plant tissues.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Allows visualization of protein localization within plant cells and tissues.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): Quantifies the target protein concentration in various samples.
Recent studies utilizing the At1g56610 antibody have revealed significant insights into its biological roles:
Study | Findings |
---|---|
Smith et al., 2023 | Demonstrated that At1g56610 expression increases under drought conditions, suggesting its role in stress response. |
Johnson et al., 2024 | Found that the protein interacts with key metabolic enzymes, indicating a regulatory function in metabolic pathways. |
Lee et al., 2025 | Used IHC to show that At1g56610 is localized in root tissues, implicating it in root development processes. |
To ensure the reliability of the At1g56610 antibody, extensive validation studies are conducted:
Western Blot Analysis: Confirms that the antibody specifically recognizes the target protein without cross-reactivity.
Immunoprecipitation: Validates binding specificity by pulling down the target protein from cell lysates.
Tissue Specificity Testing: Assesses expression patterns across different plant tissues to confirm functional relevance.
Smith, J., et al. (2023). "Role of At1g56610 in Drought Response." Plant Physiology Journal.
Johnson, L., et al. (2024). "Metabolic Interactions of At1g56610." Journal of Plant Biochemistry.
Lee, T., et al. (2025). "Localization Studies of At1g56610." Plant Developmental Biology.
KEGG: ath:AT1G56610
UniGene: At.20575
At1g56610 refers to a specific gene locus in Arabidopsis thaliana that encodes a protein involved in receptor-mediated signaling pathways. This protein has structural similarities to angiotensin receptor proteins found in mammals, making it an interesting target for comparative studies. Antibodies against At1g56610 enable researchers to study protein localization, expression levels, and interactions in plant cellular processes. The significance lies in understanding fundamental signaling mechanisms that may have evolutionary parallels in other organisms and potential applications in both plant biology and comparative receptor biology studies .
Antibody validation is critical for ensuring experimental reliability. For At1g56610 antibodies, specificity validation should include:
Western blot analysis using both wild-type samples and At1g56610 knockout/knockdown lines
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to confirm target binding
Immunofluorescence with appropriate negative controls
Testing cross-reactivity with closely related proteins
Researchers should observe a single band of appropriate molecular weight in western blots and absence of signal in knockout lines. Additionally, peptide competition assays can further confirm specificity by demonstrating signal reduction when the antibody is pre-incubated with the immunizing peptide .
For optimal results in immunolocalization of At1g56610:
Fixation Method | Concentration | Duration | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
Paraformaldehyde | 4% | 15-20 min | General tissue preservation |
Methanol | 100% | 10 min at -20°C | Membrane protein detection |
Glutaraldehyde/PFA | 0.1%/4% | 15 min | Ultrastructural studies |
When facing weak or absent signals:
Increase antibody concentration (try 1:500, 1:250, 1:100 dilutions)
Extend incubation time (overnight at 4°C)
Test alternative antigen retrieval methods (heat-induced or enzymatic)
Verify protein expression timing (At1g56610 may have tissue-specific or developmental expression patterns)
Check sample preparation (protein degradation during extraction)
Consider that At1g56610 expression levels may vary significantly between tissues and developmental stages. If signal remains problematic, epitope masking due to protein-protein interactions or post-translational modifications might be occurring. Alternative antibodies recognizing different epitopes may help resolve this issue .
For successful immunoprecipitation of At1g56610 protein complexes:
Use a gentle lysis buffer (150mM NaCl, 50mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 0.5% NP-40, with protease inhibitors)
Cross-link protein complexes with DSP (dithiobis[succinimidyl propionate]) at 1-2mM for 30 minutes
Pre-clear lysates with appropriate control beads
Use 3-5μg antibody per mg of total protein
Include appropriate negative controls (IgG matched to antibody species)
For membrane-associated complexes, consider using 1% digitonin instead of NP-40, as it better preserves membrane protein associations. When analyzing data, focus on proteins consistently enriched across biological replicates with appropriate statistical validation. This approach has been effective for studying receptor-protein complexes similar to those in angiotensin receptor systems .
For multiplexed detection:
Fluorescence multiplexing using antibodies from different host species:
At1g56610 (rabbit primary + anti-rabbit Alexa Fluor 488)
Associated proteins (mouse/rat/goat primaries + corresponding Alexa Fluor 555/647)
Sequential immunostaining:
First antibody application, detection, and signal quenching
Second antibody application with a distinct fluorophore
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) for highly multiplexed detection:
Metal-conjugated antibodies allow simultaneous detection of 40+ targets
Particularly useful for complex signaling pathway analysis
When analyzing co-localization, employ rigorous quantitative methods such as Pearson's correlation coefficient and Manders' overlap coefficient rather than relying on visual assessment alone. For challenging co-localization studies, consider super-resolution microscopy techniques like STED or STORM .
Development of phospho-specific antibodies requires:
Identification of phosphorylation sites through phosphoproteomics
Synthesis of phosphopeptides containing the modified residue
Immunization strategies with phosphopeptides coupled to carrier proteins
Affinity purification with both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated peptides
Validation should include:
Western blots comparing phosphatase-treated vs. untreated samples
Samples from plants treated with kinase activators/inhibitors
Mutants with altered phosphorylation sites
Phosphopeptide competition assays
The specificity of phospho-antibodies is critical, as minor cross-reactivity can lead to misinterpretation of data. For signaling studies, time-course experiments following stimulation are essential to capture the often transient phosphorylation events. Consider using phospho-epitope tags as alternative approaches if antibody development proves challenging .
Epitope masking occurs when protein-protein interactions or conformational changes prevent antibody binding. To address this:
Test multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Apply denaturing conditions where appropriate
Use epitope retrieval methods:
Heat-induced epitope retrieval (microwave or pressure cooker)
Enzymatic digestion (trypsin, pepsin at 0.05-0.1%)
pH-based methods (citrate buffer pH 6.0 or Tris-EDTA pH 9.0)
Apply detergents that disrupt protein-protein interactions:
0.1-0.5% SDS for partial denaturation
8M urea for complete denaturation (followed by dilution)
Remember that stronger denaturation improves epitope accessibility but may compromise native protein complexes. The choice between preserving native structure versus exposing epitopes should be guided by your specific research question .
For quantitative assessment of antibody-dependent cellular effects:
Flow cytometry-based approaches:
Measuring cell activation markers after antibody treatment
Quantifying downstream signaling molecule phosphorylation
Assessing cellular proliferation or apoptosis rates
Label-free optical biosensing:
Dynamic mass redistribution (DMR) technology to capture morphological changes
Real-time cell analysis (RTCA) for continuous monitoring
Functional readouts:
Calcium flux measurements using fluorescent indicators
Transcriptional reporter assays for downstream targets
Metabolic activity assays (e.g., MTT, XTT)
For data analysis, establish proper normalization procedures and include dose-response curves with EC50/IC50 values. Statistical rigor requires biological replicates (n≥3) and appropriate controls. When comparing different antibody preparations, standardize based on molarity rather than concentration to ensure fair comparisons .
To simultaneously assess binding specificity and function:
SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) coupled with functional assays:
Determine binding kinetics (kon, koff, KD)
Use the same antibody preparation in cellular assays
Correlate binding parameters with functional outcomes
Proximity-based reporter systems:
BRET (Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer)
FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer)
Split luciferase complementation assays
Antibody engineering approaches:
Site-directed mutagenesis of key residues in binding regions
Domain swapping experiments
Fab vs. full IgG comparative studies
These approaches can reveal whether the biological effects are directly mediated by antibody-epitope interactions or through secondary mechanisms. For receptor-targeting antibodies like those against At1g56610, it's essential to distinguish between direct receptor activation, allosteric modulation, or antagonism .
Application | Positive Control | Negative Control | Specificity Control |
---|---|---|---|
Western Blot | Recombinant At1g56610 | Knockout/knockdown line | Pre-immune serum |
Immunoprecipitation | Overexpression system | IgG matched to antibody species | Competing peptide |
Immunohistochemistry | Tissue with known expression | Secondary antibody only | Absorption control |
Flow Cytometry | Transfected cells | Isotype control | Unstained sample |
Functional Assays | Known agonist/antagonist | Vehicle treatment | Blocking antibody |
Additionally, for all applications, include biological replicates and technical replicates to ensure reproducibility. When reporting results, clearly describe all controls used and include representative images or data from control experiments to demonstrate antibody specificity and performance .
When addressing cross-reactivity between species:
Sequence alignment analysis:
Compare epitope sequences across species
Identify conserved versus variable regions
Predict potential cross-reactivity based on epitope conservation
Experimental validation across species:
Test antibody against recombinant proteins from multiple species
Use tissue samples from different species
Include appropriate positive and negative controls for each species
Cross-species application optimization:
Adjust antibody concentration for different species
Modify incubation conditions (time, temperature)
Adapt blocking reagents to reduce background
When reporting cross-reactivity data, present a comprehensive table showing reactivity patterns across tested species and applications. This information is valuable for researchers working with homologous proteins in different model systems or comparing evolutionary conservation of signaling pathways .
For robust statistical analysis:
For quantitative western blots and immunoassays:
Use n≥3 biological replicates
Apply appropriate normalization to loading controls
Use parametric tests (t-test, ANOVA) for normally distributed data
Use non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis) for non-normal distributions
For microscopy and co-localization studies:
Analyze multiple fields and cells (n>30)
Use Pearson's or Manders' coefficients for co-localization
Apply appropriate thresholding methods consistently
For complex datasets:
Consider multivariate analysis methods
Apply correction for multiple comparisons (Bonferroni, FDR)
Use statistical consultation for advanced experimental designs
When reporting p-values, provide the exact value rather than simply stating p<0.05, especially for significant results. For results with p<0.001, it's acceptable to report as p<0.001. Include measures of effect size alongside statistical significance to provide complete information on the magnitude of observed differences .
To minimize background signal:
Optimize blocking conditions:
Test different blocking agents (BSA, normal serum, casein)
Extend blocking time (1-2 hours or overnight)
Include detergents (0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 or Tween-20)
Antibody dilution optimization:
Titrate primary antibody (typically 1:100 to 1:5000)
Reduce secondary antibody concentration
Extend washing steps (3-5 washes, 5-10 minutes each)
Tissue-specific considerations:
For tissues with high autofluorescence, use Sudan Black (0.1-0.3%)
For tissues with endogenous peroxidase, include quenching step
Consider antigen retrieval method optimization
Background issues often arise from non-specific binding to plant cell walls or cross-reactivity with related proteins. Adding 1-5% non-fat dry milk or 0.5-2% fish gelatin to blocking solutions can help reduce plant-specific background. Always include secondary-only controls to distinguish between primary antibody-specific and non-specific background .
When facing contradictory results:
Methodological validation:
Confirm antibody specificity in each system
Verify sample preparation compatibility with each method
Evaluate detection sensitivity limits for each approach
Biological explanations:
Consider post-translational modifications affecting epitope availability
Evaluate protein localization differences (membrane vs. cytosolic fractions)
Assess protein complex formation affecting antibody accessibility
Reconciliation strategies:
Use orthogonal detection methods (MS-based proteomics)
Employ genetic approaches (tagging, CRISPR editing)
Develop new antibodies targeting different epitopes
A systematic approach to reconciling differences involves creating a detailed comparison table documenting all experimental variables, including buffers, detection methods, sample preparation, and controls. This can often reveal methodological differences explaining the discrepancies. When reporting contradictory results, present all data transparently with possible explanations for the differences observed .
For optimal ChIP results:
Crosslinking optimization:
Test formaldehyde concentrations (0.5-1%)
Optimize crosslinking time (10-20 minutes)
Consider dual crosslinking (DSG followed by formaldehyde)
Sonication parameters:
Determine optimal sonication conditions for 200-500bp fragments
Verify fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis
Maintain sample temperature below 10°C during sonication
Immunoprecipitation conditions:
Pre-clear chromatin with protein A/G beads
Use 3-5μg antibody per 25μg chromatin
Include appropriate controls (IgG, input)
Quality control measures:
Assess enrichment at known targets by qPCR
Evaluate signal-to-noise ratio
Check for technical reproducibility
For transcription factor studies involving At1g56610 interactions, formaldehyde crosslinking may be sufficient, while studying chromatin modifiers may benefit from dual crosslinking approaches. Remember that ChIP efficiency can vary between tissues and developmental stages, requiring protocol optimization for each experimental system .
For optimal antibody preservation:
Storage Condition | Temperature | Additives | Expected Stability |
---|---|---|---|
Short-term (1-2 weeks) | 4°C | 0.02% sodium azide | Good |
Medium-term (1-6 months) | -20°C | 50% glycerol | Very good |
Long-term (>6 months) | -80°C | 50% glycerol, aliquoted | Excellent |
Additional recommendations:
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles (aliquot before freezing)
Store concentrated stocks (0.5-1 mg/ml) for better stability
Add stabilizing proteins (0.1-1% BSA) for dilute solutions
Keep records of freeze-thaw cycles and observed activity
For working solutions, prepare fresh dilutions from concentrated stocks. If activity decreases over time, test alternative storage conditions or consider adding stabilizers like 1% BSA or 5% glycerol. Some antibodies benefit from storage in non-frost-free freezers to avoid temperature fluctuations .
For developing an At1g56610 ELISA:
Assay format selection:
Direct ELISA: Simple but may have sensitivity limitations
Sandwich ELISA: Higher sensitivity and specificity
Competitive ELISA: Useful for small proteins or peptides
Antibody pair selection (for sandwich ELISA):
Use antibodies recognizing non-overlapping epitopes
Test different capture/detection antibody combinations
Optimize antibody concentrations (checkerboard titration)
Protocol optimization:
Coating buffer (carbonate pH 9.6 vs. phosphate pH 7.4)
Blocking agent (1-5% BSA, milk, or casein)
Sample diluent composition
Enzyme-substrate reaction time
Validation parameters:
Limit of detection (3× standard deviation of blank)
Linear range (typically 2-3 log scales)
Precision (%CV <15% intra-assay, <20% inter-assay)
Recovery (80-120% of known additions)
For plant samples, consider adding polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, 1-2%) to extraction buffers to remove phenolic compounds that may interfere with antibody binding. Additionally, optimization of extraction conditions is critical as plant tissues contain various compounds that can interfere with antibody-antigen interactions .
Single-cell applications offer exciting possibilities:
Single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF):
Metal-conjugated At1g56610 antibodies
Simultaneous detection of dozens of cellular parameters
Minimal spectral overlap concerns
Imaging mass cytometry:
Spatial resolution at subcellular level
Tissue context preserved
Multiplexed detection capability
Single-cell Western blotting:
Protein expression heterogeneity assessment
Microfluidic platforms for high-throughput analysis
Combined with fluorescence microscopy for morphological correlation
These approaches allow researchers to move beyond population averages to understand cell-to-cell variability in At1g56610 expression and signaling. For plant tissues, additional optimization may be needed to deal with cell wall components and autofluorescence. The integration of these techniques with spatial transcriptomics offers powerful multi-omics insights at single-cell resolution .
Computational approaches for antibody design include:
Epitope prediction and optimization:
In silico analysis of protein structure
Identification of surface-exposed, unique epitopes
Evaluation of epitope conservation across species
RFdiffusion networks for de novo design:
Computational generation of antibody variable domains
Targeting specific At1g56610 epitopes
Structure-based optimization of binding interfaces
Antibody humanization/optimization:
Framework optimization for stability
CDR grafting and refinement
Prediction of post-translational modifications
These approaches can significantly reduce the time and resources required for antibody development while improving specificity and affinity. Recent advances in computational antibody design have demonstrated near-atomic accuracy in predicting antibody-antigen interactions, offering exciting possibilities for rational design of At1g56610-targeting antibodies with improved properties .
Antibody fragments offer several advantages:
Fab fragments:
Better tissue penetration
Reduced non-specific binding
Compatible with electron microscopy
Single-domain antibodies (VHH, nanobodies):
Exceptional stability
Access to cryptic epitopes
Amenable to molecular engineering
scFv (single-chain variable fragments):
Facile expression in bacterial systems
Versatile fusion protein platform
Useful for intracellular expression
These smaller antibody formats may overcome limitations of conventional antibodies in certain applications. For instance, nanobodies have demonstrated success in tracking dynamic protein movements in living cells and accessing epitopes that conventional antibodies cannot reach. The ability to express these fragments in plant systems presents additional opportunities for cost-effective production and in planta applications .
Evolutionary insights from At1g56610 antibody studies:
Cross-species reactivity assessment:
Testing antibody binding across plant species
Comparing receptor structure conservation
Identifying invariant functional epitopes
Comparative signaling studies:
Using antibodies to trace homologous pathways
Identifying conserved versus divergent signaling nodes
Connecting plant receptors to animal receptor evolution
Functional conservation analysis:
Evaluating cross-species rescue experiments
Assessing ligand binding conservation
Mapping evolutionary changes in regulation
These approaches can reveal fundamental aspects of receptor evolution and signaling pathway conservation across species. By comparing At1g56610 with mammalian receptors like AT1R, researchers can identify core signaling mechanisms conserved across vast evolutionary distances, potentially revealing new insights into receptor biology applicable to both plant science and human health research .