The HRP-conjugated FERMT1 antibody facilitates precise detection in multiple experimental workflows:
ELISA: Optimized for quantitative analysis of FERMT1 expression in biological samples .
Western Blot: Validated for detecting FERMT1 at ~70–77 kDa in human and mouse tissues (e.g., kidney, HEK-293 cells) .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Used to localize FERMT1 in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues, including cancer samples .
Positive Controls: Detected in human colon cancer cells (COLO 320), HEK-293 cells, and mouse kidney tissues .
Band Specificity: A single band at ~77 kDa confirms minimal cross-reactivity .
Human Tissues: Strong staining observed in colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and normal pancreas tissues .
Protocol Notes: Antigen retrieval recommended using TE buffer (pH 9.0) or citrate buffer (pH 6.0) .
A comparative analysis of suppliers offering FERMT1 HRP-conjugated antibodies:
FERMT1’s role in cancer progression (e.g., glioma, hepatocellular carcinoma) has been extensively studied using knockdown and functional assays . While the HRP-conjugated antibody itself is not directly cited in mechanistic studies, its application in validating FERMT1 expression has supported critical findings:
Glioma: FERMT1 knockdown reduced proliferation, migration, and stemness via glycolytic pathway modulation .
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): CARM1-mediated histone methylation upregulates FERMT1, promoting metastasis .
FERMT1 is a FERM domain-containing adaptor protein predominantly found at cell-extracellular matrix adhesions where it binds to β-integrin subunits and is required for integrin activation. It plays crucial roles in cell adhesion, keratinocyte proliferation, normal polarization of basal keratinocytes in skin, and cell migration to wound sites . FERMT1 has become a significant research target as it's highly expressed in many tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and colon carcinoma, where it acts as an oncogene promoting cell migration and invasion .
For optimal stability, HRP-conjugated FERMT1 antibody should be shipped at 4°C and upon receipt stored at either -20°C for short-term storage or -80°C for long-term storage . Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided to maintain antibody integrity and functionality. Some preparations are supplied in buffers containing 50% glycerol, 0.01M PBS (pH 7.4), and 0.03% Proclin 300 as preservatives , which helps maintain stability during storage.
FERMT1 antibody has demonstrated positive reactivity in both human and mouse samples . Specifically, Western blot applications have successfully detected FERMT1 in mouse kidney tissue, COLO 320 cells, and HEK-293 cells. Immunohistochemistry applications have shown positive results in human colon cancer tissue, human pancreas tissue, and human pancreas cancer tissue. Immunofluorescence applications have detected FERMT1 in HEK-293 cells . These validated tissue and cell types provide researchers with reliable positive controls for experimental design.
For immunohistochemistry applications with FERMT1 antibody, the recommended antigen retrieval method is using TE buffer at pH 9.0. Alternatively, citrate buffer at pH 6.0 may also be used for antigen retrieval . When performing IHC with FERMT1 antibody on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, these antigen retrieval steps are critical for unmasking epitopes that may be crosslinked or obscured during fixation. Proper antigen retrieval significantly improves staining intensity and specificity, particularly in tissues with complex extracellular matrix components where FERMT1 is typically localized.
To validate FERMT1 knockdown efficiency, researchers should employ a combination of techniques. Western blotting and real-time PCR are commonly used to detect the efficiency of transfection following shRNA introduction . For shRNA-mediated knockdown, multiple target sequences have been validated in previous studies, including:
Proper validation using both protein and mRNA detection methods ensures reliable interpretation of subsequent functional assays investigating FERMT1's role in cellular processes.
When using HRP-conjugated FERMT1 antibody in ELISA, researchers should include several critical controls:
Positive control: Lysates from cells known to express FERMT1 (e.g., HEK-293 cells, COLO 320 cells)
Negative control: Samples from FERMT1 knockout cells or tissues
Antibody specificity control: Pre-absorption with the immunizing peptide
Background control: Wells without primary antibody but with all other reagents
Standard curve: Using recombinant FERMT1 protein for quantitative analysis
These controls help validate assay specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, ensuring reliable FERMT1 detection and quantification in experimental samples.
FERMT1 has been shown to regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in multiple cancer types, making FERMT1 antibody a valuable tool for EMT research . To investigate this:
Use FERMT1 antibody in conjunction with EMT markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin) in Western blot or immunofluorescence to correlate FERMT1 expression with EMT status
Perform FERMT1 knockdown or overexpression followed by detection of EMT markers to establish causality
Implement wound healing and Transwell assays after modulating FERMT1 expression to assess functional consequences on migration and invasion
Co-stain for FERMT1 and PKP3 in immunofluorescence studies, as FERMT1 has been shown to upregulate PKP3 expression to promote invasion and migration
This comprehensive approach helps delineate the specific role of FERMT1 in driving EMT programs across different cancer contexts.
FERMT1 has been shown to activate the p38 MAPK signaling pathway through upregulation of PKP3 expression . To investigate this signaling connection:
Use Western blotting to detect phosphorylated p38 MAPK levels following FERMT1 overexpression or knockdown
Perform co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays to identify direct or indirect interactions between FERMT1 and components of the MAPK pathway
Employ specific p38 MAPK inhibitors in FERMT1-overexpressing cells to determine if migration and invasion phenotypes are dependent on p38 MAPK activity
Conduct dual knockdown experiments targeting both FERMT1 and PKP3 to validate the proposed pathway mechanism
Use phospho-specific antibodies against p38 MAPK pathway components in combination with FERMT1 antibody in immunofluorescence to visualize pathway activation in specific cellular compartments
This systematic approach will help establish the mechanistic details of how FERMT1 regulates MAPK signaling in cancer progression.
Integrating gene expression profiling with FERMT1 antibody studies provides a powerful approach to identify novel downstream targets:
Perform RNA-seq or microarray analysis on FERMT1-overexpressing or FERMT1-knockdown cells
Use Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to identify significantly enriched pathways, as previously demonstrated in FERMT1 studies
Validate protein-level changes of candidate genes using Western blotting with FERMT1 antibody as a control
Analyze public databases (such as GEPIA and TCGA) to identify genes positively correlated with FERMT1 expression in cancer tissues, as previously done to identify the FERMT1-PKP3 correlation
Perform chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays to determine if FERMT1 directly or indirectly regulates transcription of candidate genes
This integrated approach can reveal previously unidentified FERMT1-regulated genes and pathways relevant to cancer progression.
Several common issues may arise when using FERMT1 antibody in Western blotting:
Using validated positive control samples such as HEK-293 or COLO 320 cell lysates can help establish appropriate experimental conditions and troubleshoot detection issues .
Optimizing immunohistochemistry protocols for FERMT1 detection requires tissue-specific considerations:
Fixation optimization: Use 10% neutral buffered formalin for 24-48 hours; excessive fixation can mask epitopes
Antigen retrieval methods: Compare TE buffer (pH 9.0) versus citrate buffer (pH 6.0) as different tissues may respond better to specific retrieval methods
Antibody dilution titration: Test multiple dilutions (1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500) to determine optimal concentration for each tissue type
Incubation conditions: Optimize primary antibody incubation time (4°C overnight versus 1-2 hours at room temperature)
Detection systems: Compare avidin-biotin complex (ABC) versus polymer-based detection systems for best signal-to-noise ratio
Counterstaining: Adjust hematoxylin intensity to maintain visibility of FERMT1 staining while providing adequate nuclear detail
Researchers should validate their protocol using known positive control tissues such as human colon cancer tissue or human pancreas tissue, where FERMT1 expression has been confirmed .
When designing multiplexed assays with FERMT1 antibody, researchers should consider:
Antibody species compatibility: Choose primary antibodies raised in different host species to avoid cross-reactivity
Fluorophore selection: If using fluorescent detection, select fluorophores with minimal spectral overlap
Epitope accessibility: Consider whether multiple antibodies targeting closely related proteins might cause steric hindrance
Sequential staining: For challenging combinations, implement sequential rather than simultaneous staining protocols
Validation controls: Include single-stain controls to verify specificity in the multiplexed context
Cross-blocking experiments: Test whether one antibody blocks binding of another in the multiplex panel
For co-localization studies with FERMT1, consider combining with antibodies against integrin subunits, PKP3, or components of the MAPK pathway based on known interactions .
Research has demonstrated variable FERMT1 expression across different cancer types:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Significantly upregulated FERMT1 expression correlates with poor prognosis
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC): Elevated FERMT1 expression inhibits EMT and induces cell cycle arrest
Colon carcinoma: Cancer cell-specific expression of FERMT1 enhances invasive ability and cell growth
These expression patterns have important implications for antibody detection methods:
Tissue-specific optimization of antibody dilutions is necessary (starting with 1:50-1:500 for IHC)
Cancer-specific positive controls should be selected based on known expression patterns
Quantitative methods like Western blotting with densitometry analysis may be required to detect subtle differences in expression levels between cancer types
Antibody validation should include multiple cancer cell lines to confirm specificity across different tumor contexts
Understanding these cancer-specific expression patterns helps researchers properly design and interpret FERMT1 antibody-based experiments.
To investigate FERMT1's role in integrin activation during cancer metastasis, researchers can employ:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP): To detect direct interactions between FERMT1 and β-integrin subunits
Proximity ligation assay (PLA): To visualize and quantify FERMT1-integrin interactions in situ
FRET/FLIM analysis: To measure dynamics of FERMT1-integrin binding in living cells
Adhesion assays: Compare adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins (fibronectin, laminin) in FERMT1-modulated cells
Live-cell imaging: Track integrin clustering and focal adhesion formation in relation to FERMT1 expression
3D invasion assays: Evaluate the impact of FERMT1 knockdown on directional migration through extracellular matrix
These approaches provide complementary insights into how FERMT1 contributes to integrin activation and subsequent metastatic capabilities in cancer cells.
FERMT1 antibody can be instrumental in evaluating therapeutic targets within its signaling pathway:
Target validation: Use FERMT1 antibody in Western blotting to confirm knockdown efficacy of potential therapeutic approaches targeting FERMT1
Pathway monitoring: Track changes in downstream effectors like PKP3 and phospho-p38 MAPK following treatment with pathway inhibitors
Combination therapy assessment: Evaluate FERMT1 expression and activation status when combining p38 MAPK inhibitors with other targeted therapies
Patient stratification biomarker development: Develop IHC protocols using FERMT1 antibody to identify patients likely to respond to therapies targeting the FERMT1-PKP3-MAPK axis
Resistance mechanism studies: Monitor FERMT1 expression changes in cell lines developing resistance to targeted therapies
These applications position FERMT1 antibody as a valuable tool in translational research aimed at developing new therapeutic approaches for cancers with FERMT1 pathway activation.