AT2G29780 is annotated in the KEGG database (T00041) as part of the galactose oxidase/kelch repeat superfamily, suggesting roles in oxidative enzymatic processes or protein-protein interactions . This gene remains functionally uncharacterized in peer-reviewed literature, but its kelch repeat domain implies potential involvement in structural organization or substrate binding.
While no direct publications cite this antibody, analogous plant antibodies are used for:
Protein Localization: Tracking subcellular distribution via immunofluorescence
Expression Profiling: Quantifying protein levels under stress conditions
Interaction Studies: Identifying binding partners through co-immunoprecipitation
Key quality metrics for plant antibodies include:
Specificity: Requires knockout line validation to confirm absence of cross-reactivity
Affinity: Typically measured via surface plasmon resonance (KD <10⁻⁸ M preferred)
At2g29780 encodes a putative F-box/kelch-repeat protein in Arabidopsis thaliana, functioning within the plant's protein regulatory mechanisms. Antibodies targeting this protein are crucial for studying its expression patterns, protein-protein interactions, and functional characterization . The At2g29780 gene has been identified in studies examining callose formation during microspore development, showing differential expression patterns compared to wild-type plants in callose defective microspore1 (cdm1) mutants . Specifically, microarray analyses revealed that At2g29780 was downregulated 2.88-fold in cdm1 mutants, suggesting potential involvement in pathways related to pollen development and callose metabolism .
For effective research applications, monoclonal antibodies against At2g29780 provide higher specificity compared to polyclonal alternatives, enabling more precise localization and quantification studies. When designing experiments using these antibodies, researchers should include appropriate controls and validation steps to confirm specificity to the target protein.
At2g29780 antibodies can be utilized across multiple molecular and cellular techniques:
| Technique | Application | Typical Working Dilution | Validation Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Blotting | Protein detection and quantification | 1:1000 | Dot blot validation against known immunogen peptides |
| Immunofluorescence | Cellular localization | 1:500 - 1:1000 | Wild-type vs. knockout controls |
| Immunoprecipitation | Protein complex isolation | Variable | Pre-clearing and isotype controls |
| ChIP | DNA-protein interaction studies | Variable | Input DNA controls |
When performing Western blotting with At2g29780 antibodies, researchers should begin with a 1:1000 dilution as recommended . The antibodies have demonstrated sensitivity to detect between 0.01-1ng of their corresponding immunogen peptides in dot blot assays . Optimization through titration experiments remains essential for each specific experimental system.
Proper handling of At2g29780 antibodies is critical for maintaining their specificity and sensitivity. Upon receipt, the lyophilized antibody should be immediately suspended and stored at -20°C . Researchers should follow these evidence-based guidelines:
Reconstitute lyophilized antibodies using the manufacturer's recommended suspension buffer.
Prepare small aliquots to minimize freeze-thaw cycles, as repeated freeze-thaw cycles significantly reduce antibody performance.
When working with these antibodies, maintain cold chain protocols and use sterile technique to prevent contamination.
Monitor stability through regular validation experiments if stored for extended periods.
Research has demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies like those against At2g29780 can maintain activity for over 12 months when properly stored, though sensitivity may gradually decrease. For critical experiments, researchers should validate antibody performance before use, particularly with older aliquots.
Effective sample preparation is crucial for successful At2g29780 protein detection. Based on plant molecular biology best practices:
Protein Extraction Protocol for At2g29780 Detection:
Harvest fresh Arabidopsis tissue (100-200 mg) and flash-freeze in liquid nitrogen.
Grind tissue to a fine powder while maintaining frozen conditions.
Add extraction buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 1% Triton X-100, 1 mM EDTA) supplemented with protease inhibitors.
Centrifuge at 14,000g for 15 minutes at 4°C.
Recover supernatant and quantify protein concentration.
For Western blot applications, denature samples with SDS loading buffer at 95°C for 5 minutes.
For immunohistochemistry applications, tissue fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde followed by careful permeabilization is recommended to maintain tissue morphology while allowing antibody access to cellular targets. When working with recalcitrant plant tissues, optimization of extraction conditions may be necessary to overcome issues with secondary metabolites and cell wall components.
Antibody validation is essential for generating reliable experimental data. For At2g29780 antibodies, implement these validation strategies:
Dot Blot Analysis: Test antibody against synthesized immunogen peptides at concentrations ranging from 0.01-1ng to establish detection limits .
Genetic Controls: Compare antibody signal between wild-type plants and At2g29780 knockout/knockdown mutants. Absence or significant reduction of signal in mutants confirms specificity.
Blocking Peptide Competition: Pre-incubate antibody with excess immunizing peptide before application to samples. Signal elimination indicates specific binding.
Multiple Antibody Verification: Compare results using different antibodies targeting distinct epitopes of At2g29780. Concordant results strengthen confidence in specificity.
Mass Spectrometry Validation: Confirm the identity of immunoprecipitated proteins through MS analysis, particularly useful for complex samples.
These approaches collectively provide robust validation of antibody specificity, which is particularly important when studying proteins like At2g29780 that belong to gene families with potential sequence similarities to related proteins.
Understanding potential artifacts is crucial for accurate data interpretation:
False Positives:
Cross-reactivity with related F-box/kelch-repeat proteins
Non-specific binding to abundant proteins
Secondary antibody cross-reactivity
Insufficient blocking leading to high background
False Negatives:
Protein denaturation affecting epitope recognition
Insufficient protein extraction from plant tissues
Epitope masking due to protein-protein interactions
Antibody degradation from improper storage
To minimize these issues, researchers should include appropriate controls in each experiment, including isotype controls for monoclonal antibodies and pre-immune serum controls for polyclonal antibodies. Additionally, optimizing extraction and immunodetection protocols specifically for At2g29780 protein can significantly improve signal-to-noise ratios.
At2g29780, as a putative F-box/kelch-repeat protein, may play roles in protein degradation pathways that are often central to plant stress responses. Advanced research applications include:
Stress-Induced Expression Profiling: Tracking At2g29780 protein levels during exposure to biotic and abiotic stresses using quantitative Western blotting with these antibodies can reveal potential regulatory roles.
Protein Interaction Dynamics: Using At2g29780 antibodies for co-immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry can identify stress-specific interaction partners, particularly other components of SCF complexes.
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP): If At2g29780 has DNA-binding capabilities, ChIP using specific antibodies can map its genome-wide binding sites under different stress conditions.
Subcellular Localization Changes: Immunofluorescence studies with At2g29780 antibodies can detect stress-induced changes in protein localization that may indicate functional shifts.
When designing these experiments, researchers should incorporate time-course analyses and multiple stress conditions to capture the dynamic nature of plant stress responses. Careful experimental design, including appropriate biological and technical replicates, is essential for distinguishing specific At2g29780-related effects from general stress responses.
Immunoprecipitation (IP) with At2g29780 antibodies demands meticulous attention to experimental design:
Antibody Selection: For IP applications, antibodies must be able to recognize native (non-denatured) At2g29780 protein. The X2 package antibodies have been recommended for IP applications .
Pre-clearing Strategy: Plant extracts contain numerous compounds that can cause non-specific binding. Pre-clearing with protein A/G beads alone before adding the specific antibody significantly reduces background.
Cross-linking Considerations: To stabilize transient interactions, consider using chemical crosslinkers like formaldehyde or DSP (dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate)) before cell lysis.
Extraction Buffer Optimization: For F-box proteins like At2g29780, which form part of protein complexes, buffer composition critically affects complex stability. Consider testing multiple conditions:
| Buffer Component | Standard IP | Stringent Condition | Mild Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| NaCl | 150 mM | 300 mM | 100 mM |
| Detergent | 1% Triton X-100 | 1% Triton X-100 + 0.1% SDS | 0.5% NP-40 |
| Protease Inhibitors | Standard cocktail | Enhanced cocktail plus phosphatase inhibitors | Standard cocktail |
| Buffer pH | 7.5 | 8.0 | 7.0 |
Validation Controls: Include isotype control antibodies and perform reverse IPs when possible to confirm interaction specificity.
This approach allows researchers to optimize conditions for specific experimental questions, whether focused on stable core complexes or transient regulatory interactions involving At2g29780.
When selecting detection strategies for At2g29780, researchers should consider the comparative advantages of antibody-based approaches versus alternative methods:
| Detection Method | Advantages | Limitations | Application Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monoclonal Antibodies | Consistent specificity, renewable resource, good for protein detection | May miss protein isoforms, requires epitope accessibility | Protein localization, quantification, interaction studies |
| Polyclonal Antibodies | Detect multiple epitopes, more robust to minor protein modifications | Batch-to-batch variation, finite supply | When protein conformation varies or for enhanced sensitivity |
| GFP/FLAG Fusion Proteins | Live imaging possible, highly specific detection | Requires genetic transformation, tag may affect function | Tracking dynamics in living cells, when antibodies unavailable |
| Mass Spectrometry | Direct protein identification, can detect modifications | Low throughput, complex sample preparation | Comprehensive protein profiling, modification mapping |
| RT-qPCR | Simple, quantitative for transcript levels | Measures mRNA not protein, assumes correlation | Transcriptional studies, when protein detection is challenging |
This comparative analysis highlights that while antibodies provide distinct advantages for protein-level studies, complementary approaches may be necessary depending on the specific research question. Monoclonal antibodies against At2g29780, particularly those in the X2 package, offer consistent specificity with documented performance in Western blotting applications .
Modern plant molecular biology increasingly employs multi-omics integration. At2g29780 antibody experiments can be strategically incorporated into broader systems biology approaches:
Proteomics Integration: Quantitative proteomics data can validate and extend antibody-based findings. For instance, changes in At2g29780 protein levels detected via Western blotting can be contextualized within global proteome shifts identified through mass spectrometry-based approaches.
Transcriptome Correlation: Comparing At2g29780 protein levels (via antibody detection) with transcript abundance (via RNA-Seq) can reveal post-transcriptional regulation. Studies have shown that At2g29780 gene expression was downregulated (-2.88 fold) in cdm1 mutants , which could be correlated with protein-level changes.
Phenomics Connections: Linking At2g29780 protein abundance or localization with phenotypic data can establish causative relationships. Particularly relevant for Arabidopsis, where comprehensive phenotypic databases exist.
Network Analysis Framework: Position At2g29780 within protein interaction networks by combining antibody-based co-IP data with published interactome datasets. This approach has proven valuable for characterizing F-box proteins, which typically function within multi-protein complexes.
When designing integrated studies, researchers should standardize experimental conditions across platforms and employ appropriate statistical methods for cross-platform data integration. Time-series experiments are particularly valuable for capturing the dynamic nature of biological processes involving At2g29780.
Several cutting-edge methodologies promise to expand the utility of At2g29780 antibodies in plant research:
Proximity Labeling Approaches: Combining At2g29780 antibodies with proximity labeling techniques (like BioID or APEX) enables the identification of protein interaction networks in their native cellular context.
Single-Cell Proteomics: Applying At2g29780 antibodies in microfluidic or imaging mass cytometry approaches could reveal cell-specific expression patterns previously masked in whole-tissue analyses.
Super-Resolution Microscopy: Techniques like STORM or PALM using fluorescently-labeled At2g29780 antibodies can provide nanoscale localization information, potentially revealing functional subdomains within cellular compartments.
Antibody Engineering: Following methods similar to those used to develop therapeutic monoclonal antibodies like 4G10F4 , researchers could develop engineered antibody formats (such as single-chain variable fragments) with enhanced tissue penetration for whole-mount immunolocalization studies.
CRISPR-Based Tagging: Endogenous tagging of At2g29780 using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing followed by detection with anti-tag antibodies offers an alternative approach when direct antibodies present specificity challenges.
These emerging approaches build upon the foundation of traditional antibody applications while addressing some of their inherent limitations, potentially providing deeper insights into At2g29780 function.
While At2g29780 research is primarily fundamental, potential agricultural applications should be considered:
Stress Tolerance Biomarkers: If At2g29780 protein levels correlate with stress response phenotypes, antibody-based detection could provide biomarkers for screening germplasm for enhanced stress tolerance.
Pathway Engineering Targets: Understanding At2g29780 function through antibody-based studies might identify critical nodes in developmental pathways that could be targets for biotechnological improvement of crop species.
Diagnostic Applications: Knowledge gained from At2g29780 research could inform the development of antibody-based diagnostic tools for monitoring plant health and disease states in agricultural settings.
Translational Research Framework: The methodological approach of developing specific monoclonal antibodies against key plant proteins, as demonstrated for At2g29780, provides a template for creating research tools for important crop species proteins.
When considering translational applications, researchers should assess conservation of At2g29780 homologs across species using comparative genomics, and potentially develop cross-reactive antibodies that function across multiple plant species of agricultural importance.