FKBP16-4 Antibody

Introduction to FKBP16-4 Antibody

FKBP16-4 (FK506-binding protein 16-4) is a chloroplastic peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) belonging to the immunophilin family. It plays a role in protein folding and stress responses within plant chloroplasts. The FKBP16-4 antibody is a specialized tool designed to detect and study this protein in plant biology research, particularly in species like Arabidopsis thaliana and related homologs .

Research Applications

The FKBP16-4 antibody is primarily used in Western Blot to study:

• Protein folding mechanisms in chloroplasts .

• Stress responses linked to peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity, which facilitates conformational changes in target proteins .

• Evolutionary studies across plant species, leveraging its cross-reactivity with homologs in Panicum and Oryza .

Key Findings:

• FKBP16-4 localizes to chloroplasts, where it aids in maintaining proteostasis under stress conditions .

• Its enzymatic activity is critical for chloroplast function, though substrate specifics remain under investigation .

Biological Role of FKBP16-4

FKBP16-4 is part of the FKBP family, which broadly regulates:

• Protein trafficking and maturation via PPIase activity .

• Stress adaptation in organelles, particularly under oxidative or thermal stress .

• Chloroplast development, inferred from its homology to other plant immunophilins .

Functional Insights:

• Structural Role: FKBP16-4’s PPIase domain enables conformational switching in client proteins, essential for chloroplast enzyme activation .

• Redundancy: Like other FKBPs, FKBP16-4 may work redundantly with cyclophilins to ensure robust protein folding in plant cells .

Technical Considerations

• Antibody Validation: Optimal dilution ranges (1:1000–1:2000) and blocking conditions (5% skim milk) are critical for reducing background noise .

• Limitations: Predicted cross-reactivity requires empirical validation in non-Arabidopsis species .

Future Directions

• Substrate Identification: Proteomic studies to map FKBP16-4 interaction networks.

• Stress Response Pathways: Elucidating its role in abiotic stress (e.g., drought, salinity) using knockout models.