The At1g70970 gene resides on chromosome 1 of Arabidopsis thaliana. The encoded protein (UniProt: Q9SSK2) is annotated as a "protein of unknown function" with no conserved domains identified in public databases. Homology searches yield no significant matches to characterized proteins in other species, suggesting a plant-specific role.
While direct studies on At1g70970 are lacking, its antibody may be utilized for:
Subcellular localization studies: To determine tissue-specific expression patterns in Arabidopsis.
Knockout mutant validation: Confirm gene silencing or overexpression in transgenic lines.
Interaction proteomics: Identify binding partners via immunoprecipitation.
The absence of published data necessitates empirical validation for each experimental system .
Antibodies against other Arabidopsis proteins (e.g., ADG2, APS1) listed alongside At1g70970 in commercial catalogs are frequently used in metabolic pathway studies. For example:
ADG2 Antibody: Targets a starch synthase critical for carbohydrate metabolism.
APS1 Antibody: Binds to ATP sulfurylase involved in sulfate assimilation.
This contextualizes At1g70970 within broader plant biology research, though its functional niche remains undefined.
No functional studies: The role of At1g70970 in Arabidopsis physiology is unreported.
Validation data scarcity: Commercial listings lack experimental evidence (e.g., Western blot images, immunofluorescence).
Cross-reactivity risks: Undocumented specificity for related epitopes in plant proteomes.
Priority investigations should:
Characterize At1g70970's expression under stress conditions (e.g., drought, pathogens).
Perform yeast two-hybrid screens to map interaction networks.
Validate antibody specificity using At1g70970 knockout mutants.
How to resolve discrepancies in At1g70970 localization data across studies?
Technical variables: Compare fixation methods (e.g., formaldehyde vs. glutaraldehyde), antibody batches, and imaging platforms used .
Biological factors: Assess tissue-specific post-translational modifications or splice variants affecting epitope accessibility .
Quantitative validation: Use mass spectrometry or fluorescent protein fusions to corroborate antibody-derived localization patterns .
What strategies minimize cross-reactivity with homologous Arabidopsis proteins (e.g., At1g70960)?
Epitope mapping: Identify the antibody’s binding region via peptide arrays and align with homologous sequences to predict off-target risks .
Adsorption: Pre-absorb the antibody with recombinant proteins from closely related genes (e.g., At1g70960) to isolate specific binding .
Multiplexed assays: Combine with RNA-seq or proteomics to confirm observed signals correlate with At1g70970 expression trends .
How to address low signal in Western blotting despite confirmed antibody specificity?
Sample preparation: Optimize protein extraction buffers (e.g., inclusion of protease inhibitors) and ensure reducing conditions for SDS-PAGE .
Signal amplification: Use high-sensitivity substrates (e.g., chemiluminescent) or tyramide-based amplification for low-abundance targets .
Alternative techniques: Switch to ELISA or immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry for enhanced detection limits .
Why do At1g70970 antibody results vary between ELISA and immunohistology?
Epitope accessibility: Conformational changes in native vs. denatured protein may alter antibody binding .
Matrix effects: Plant secondary metabolites in tissue extracts can interfere with ELISA but not fixed histological samples .
Solution: Validate antibody performance across multiple platforms using standardized positive controls (e.g., recombinant At1g70970) .
How to correlate At1g70970 antibody-based protein levels with transcriptomic data?
Normalization: Use housekeeping proteins (e.g., actin) for Western blot quantification and compare with RNA-seq FPKM values .
Time-course experiments: Track protein vs. mRNA dynamics during developmental stages or stress responses to identify post-transcriptional regulation .
Machine learning: Train models on paired transcriptome/proteome datasets to predict antibody reliability in uncharacterized conditions .