FRZB antibodies target the secreted glycoprotein product of the FRZB gene, which contains a Frizzled-type cysteine-rich domain (CRD) that binds Wnt ligands . These antibodies are utilized for:
Immunohistochemistry: Localizing FRZB in tissues (e.g., increased endomysial connective tissue staining in ALS muscle biopsies)
Western blotting: Detecting FRZB at ~36 kDa molecular weight
Functional neutralization: Blocking FRZB activity in cell culture systems (e.g., using 200 ng/mL FRZB antibody to inhibit Wnt antagonism in chondrogenic studies)
In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), FRZB antibody-based assays revealed:
This suggests FRZB upregulation reflects denervation severity and Wnt pathway dysregulation in ALS .
FRZB antibodies identified critical roles in cartilage homeostasis:
Osteoarthritis (OA):
| Gene Affected | Expression Change (FRZB Knockdown) | Function |
|---|---|---|
| SOX9 | ↓ 58% | Chondrocyte differentiation |
| COL3A1 | ↑ 3.2-fold | Collagen dysregulation |
| DKK3 | ↑ 2.8-fold | Wnt signaling modulation |
FRZB antibody studies have uncovered:
Biomarker potential: FRZB levels in muscle biopsies correlate with ALS progression rates (r = 0.71, p < 0.001)
Cartilage repair targets: Antibody-mediated FRZB inhibition partially rescues Wnt-driven chondrocyte maturation defects in OA models
Developmental insights: FRZB-antibody complexes crystallized at 2.1 Å resolution reveal CRD-Wnt interaction surfaces critical for drug design
For optimal FRZB detection via Western Blot, the recommended dilution ranges from 1:5000 to 1:50000, though this should be titrated for each specific testing system . Standard protocols involve:
Sample preparation with proper lysis buffers containing protease inhibitors
Protein separation on SDS-PAGE (typically detecting FRZB at approximately 36 kDa)
Transfer to PVDF or nitrocellulose membrane
Blocking with appropriate buffer (typically 5% non-fat milk or BSA)
Primary antibody incubation (overnight at 4°C recommended)
Secondary antibody incubation
Signal detection via chemiluminescence
When troubleshooting, consider that FRZB is a secreted protein, so cell culture media may need to be concentrated for optimal detection .
FRZB expression varies significantly across tissue types. Research indicates that:
Normal human primary cell lines show higher baseline FRZB mRNA levels compared to soft tissue sarcoma (STS) cell lines
Skeletal muscle demonstrates increased FRZB expression in denervation conditions such as ALS
Endomysial connective tissue shows predominant FRZB localization with some expression at muscle membranes
Joint tissues in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) exhibit elevated FRZB expression
When designing experiments, consider that FRZB expression can be significantly altered in pathological conditions compared to normal tissues.
For immunofluorescence detection of FRZB in tissue sections:
Fix sections in 4% paraformaldehyde
Wash with TBS-T buffer
Perform antigen retrieval (for paraffin sections, use 1mM EDTA at 80°C for 15 minutes)
Block with goat serum to minimize non-specific binding
Incubate with anti-FRZB primary antibody at 1:200 dilution for 2 hours at room temperature
Detect using fluorescent-conjugated secondary antibodies (e.g., Alexa Fluor 555)
For optimal results, consider hyaluronidase treatment before antibody incubation when working with cartilaginous or joint tissues.
FRZB antibodies provide valuable tools for investigating the complex relationship between Wnt signaling and c-Met pathways in sarcomas:
Implement co-immunoprecipitation with FRZB antibodies to identify binding partners in the signaling cascades
Perform immunoblotting for both FRZB and c-Met in parallel to demonstrate inverse correlation patterns
Utilize FRZB antibodies in chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays to identify transcriptional targets
Conduct immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays to compare FRZB and c-Met expression patterns
Research has demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between FRZB and Met expression in both STS cell lines and tissues (Spearman rank order correlation coefficient: –0.47; P < 0.05) . This relationship suggests FRZB as a potential therapeutic target for modulating Met signaling in STS treatment.
To address contradictory findings regarding FRZB's dual roles:
Conduct context-specific expression analysis using FRZB antibodies across different tumor types
Implement tissue-specific knockdown/overexpression models followed by antibody validation
Perform domain-specific antibody detection to identify potential isoform differences
Analyze post-translational modifications using phospho-specific FRZB antibodies
Research indicates that FRZB acts as a tumor suppressor in soft tissue sarcomas and prostate cancer , while potentially functioning as an oncogene in metastatic renal cancer . These context-dependent functions likely relate to tissue-specific Wnt signaling networks and interaction partners.
To investigate FRZB's involvement in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT):
Implement FRZB knockdown/overexpression in relevant cell models
Monitor changes in epithelial markers (keratins 8 and 18) and mesenchymal markers (vimentin, N-cadherin, fibronectin, Slug, and Twist) via immunoblotting
Confirm protein localization changes using immunofluorescence with FRZB antibodies
Assess functional changes in invasion and motility following FRZB modulation
Studies show that FRZB transfection in fibrosarcoma (HT1080) and liposarcoma (SW872) cells significantly reduced cellular invasion, motility, and colony formation in soft agar . These effects were associated with up-regulation of epithelial markers and down-regulation of mesenchymal markers, suggesting FRZB may reverse or inhibit EMT processes in certain contexts.
To minimize cross-reactivity issues:
Validate antibody specificity using positive and negative control samples
Implement FRZB knockdown/knockout controls to confirm specificity
Consider using multiple antibodies targeting different FRZB epitopes
Perform pre-adsorption tests with recombinant FRZB protein
Available FRZB antibodies have demonstrated reactivity with human and mouse samples , but thorough validation is essential, particularly when exploring species with less characterized FRZB homology.
For accurate FRZB quantification in clinical samples:
Implement standardized immunohistochemistry protocols with tissue microarrays
Develop scoring systems based on staining intensity and percentage of positive cells
Utilize digital pathology algorithms for unbiased quantification
Consider multiplex staining to correlate FRZB expression with other biomarkers
A comprehensive approach involves correlating protein-level detection with mRNA quantification via qRT-PCR, as demonstrated in studies comparing FRZB expression between normal and STS cell lines .
To explore FRZB's functions in chondrogenesis:
Implement FRZB immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to identify novel binding partners
Conduct immunofluorescence co-localization studies during chondrogenic differentiation
Perform chromatin immunoprecipitation with FRZB antibodies to identify downstream transcriptional targets
Analyze FRZB expression patterns in developmental time-course experiments
Research has demonstrated that FRZB knockdown significantly decreases chondrogenesis in ATDC5 cells, affecting genes involved in cartilage development including ACAN, SOX9, and DKK1 . These findings suggest FRZB's crucial role in joint development, with potential implications for conditions like developmental dysplasia of the hip.
To investigate FRZB in neuromuscular diseases:
Implement longitudinal immunohistochemical analyses of FRZB expression in disease models
Correlate FRZB levels with denervation markers using multiplex immunofluorescence
Perform subcellular fractionation followed by immunoblotting to track FRZB localization
Conduct co-immunoprecipitation assays to identify disease-specific interaction partners
Studies have shown that FRZB is upregulated in the early stages of disease in the SOD1^G93A mouse model of ALS, with increased immunoreactivity surrounding atrophied myofibers . This suggests FRZB as a potential biomarker for muscle denervation with relevance to disease progression monitoring.
For comprehensive signaling pathway analysis:
Implement proximity ligation assays to detect FRZB-protein interactions in situ
Use phospho-specific antibodies to detect downstream effectors following FRZB modulation
Conduct time-course experiments with synchronized intervention and antibody detection
Perform competitive binding assays between FRZB and Wnt ligands
Research has demonstrated that FRZB reduces LEF/TCF transcriptional activity by 68-73% in sarcoma cell lines, with similar effects observed with dominant-negative LRP5 receptor . When investigating Wnt signaling, assessment of β-catenin levels and localization provides important complementary data to FRZB detection.
To address mRNA-protein level discrepancies:
Implement parallel qRT-PCR and immunoblotting in time-course experiments
Consider post-transcriptional regulation by analyzing miRNA levels that target FRZB
Assess protein stability through cycloheximide chase experiments
Evaluate secretion efficiency by comparing intracellular versus secreted FRZB levels
Post-transcriptional regulation may significantly impact FRZB expression, as suggested by studies investigating potential upstream miRNAs for FRZB in developmental dysplasia of the hip . When analyzing experimental data, consider the entire regulatory landscape from transcription to secretion.
Essential controls include:
FRZB knockdown/knockout samples to confirm signal specificity
Recombinant FRZB protein as positive control (50 ng/ml has been used in functional studies)
FRZB neutralizing antibody (200 ng/ml) to confirm functional blockade
Isotype controls for immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence applications
In functional studies, FRZB siRNA has been successfully employed to validate antibody specificity and to investigate FRZB's role in chondrogenesis, with sequences targeting specific regions of FRZB mRNA .