GATA1 (GATA-binding protein 1) is a transcription factor critical for erythroid and megakaryocyte development, acting as both an activator and repressor of gene expression . Biotin-conjugated GATA1 antibodies are specialized reagents designed for high-affinity detection and purification of GATA1 in assays such as ELISA, Western blotting (WB), and immunoprecipitation (IP). These antibodies enable precise tracking of GATA1 interactions with chromatin, co-factors (e.g., FOG1, TAL1), and repressive complexes (e.g., MeCP1) .
Reactivity: Xenopus laevis-specific antibodies (e.g., AFG Scientific) enable studies in frog models, while human/mouse-reactive antibodies (e.g., Bioss, Aviva) are broadly used in mammalian systems .
Applications: ELISA dominates due to biotin’s high affinity for streptavidin, but WB and IHC are feasible with optimized protocols .
GATA1 forms distinct complexes to regulate gene expression:
GATA1/TAL1/Ldb1/E2A/LMO2: Binds erythroid-specific genes (e.g., glycophorin A, α-globin) via GATA and E-box motifs .
GATA1/FOG1: Mediates activation of erythroid genes (e.g., β-globin) and repression via recruitment of MeCP1/NURD complexes .
GATA1/FOG1/MeCP1: Recruits histone deacetylases (HDACs) to silence proliferation-related genes (e.g., myc, myb) .
GATA1/Gfi1b: Represses genes associated with cell proliferation during erythroid differentiation .
Biotinylation tagging of GATA1 enables in vivo isolation of interacting proteins:
Method: A 23-amino acid biotag is fused to GATA1, expressed with BirA ligase in erythroid/megakaryocyte cells. Streptavidin beads pull down biotinylated GATA1 and bound partners (e.g., FOG1, TAL1, NURD) .
Findings:
Biotin-conjugated GATA1 antibodies are pivotal in:
Specificity: Cross-reactivity with GATA2 or GATA3 requires validation in non-erythroid contexts .
Biotinylation Efficiency: Over-biotinylation may disrupt GATA1 function; low-expression systems (e.g., L8057 cells) are preferred .
Therapeutic Implications: Mutations in GATA1 cause thrombocytopenia and leukemia; biotin-conjugated antibodies could aid in diagnosing GATA1-related disorders .
KEGG: xla:373642
UniGene: Xl.789
gata1-a Antibody, Biotin conjugated is a polyclonal antibody raised in rabbits against recombinant Xenopus laevis GATA-binding factor 1-A protein (amino acids 1-359). This antibody specifically targets the gata1-a transcription factor, which plays a crucial role in hematopoietic development. The antibody is conjugated to biotin to facilitate detection and purification procedures in various experimental settings.
Key properties include:
Host species: Rabbit
Clonality: Polyclonal
Conjugate: Biotin
Primary reactivity: Xenopus laevis
Purification method: Protein G purification (>95% purity)
Storage buffer: 0.03% Proclin 300, 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4
GATA1 is a critical transcription factor that coordinates the activation and repression of gene expression in hematopoietic cells. It acts synergistically with tal1/scl and lmo2 to specify embryonic dorsal mesoderm to a hematopoietic fate. In megakaryocytes, GATA1 regulates differentiation and terminal platelet maturation, with loss of GATA1 function resulting in excessive megakaryocyte proliferation, disordered platelet maturation, thrombocytopenia, and potential leukemia development .
The primary validated application for this antibody is ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). The biotin conjugation makes it particularly suitable for:
Detection systems using streptavidin-based reagents
Immunoprecipitation of protein complexes
Purification of target proteins through biotin-streptavidin interactions
For optimal binding in ELISA applications:
Sample preparation:
Use fresh tissue or cell lysates from Xenopus laevis
Ensure proper protein extraction with protease inhibitors
Quantify protein concentrations accurately
Antibody dilution:
Perform titration experiments to determine optimal working concentration
Start with manufacturer's recommended dilution and adjust as needed
Include appropriate positive and negative controls
Blocking and incubation:
Based on established methodologies for GATA1 complex isolation:
In vivo biotinylation approach:
Transfect cells with biotin ligase (BirA) expression plasmid
Follow with transfection of a second plasmid expressing a biotag-GATA1 fusion protein
Verify biotinylation efficiency by Western blot with streptavidin-HRP
Prepare nuclear extracts from stable transfectants
Isolate biotinylated GATA1-containing complexes using streptavidin beads
Alternative protocol using commercial biotinylated antibodies:
Cross-link cells with formaldehyde (0.4-1% for 10 minutes)
Prepare nuclear extracts following standard protocols
Incubate extracts with biotinylated anti-GATA1 antibody
Capture complexes using streptavidin-conjugated magnetic beads
Wash extensively to remove non-specific binding
Elute and analyze by Western blot, mass spectrometry, or other methods
For optimal preservation of antibody activity:
Long-term storage:
Store at -20°C or -80°C in small aliquots to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Add glycerol (final concentration 50%) as a cryoprotectant
Avoid exposure to light (particularly important for conjugated antibodies)
Working solution handling:
For studying GATA1 binding kinetics and conformational interactions:
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) protocol:
Prepare 5'-biotinylated double-stranded oligonucleotide probes containing single GATA, palindromic GATA (Pal-GATA), or tandem GATA motifs
Incubate biotinylated GATA1 protein with DNA probes at room temperature
Analyze protein-DNA complexes by native PAGE
Transfer to membranes and detect using streptavidin-based detection systems
Sequential pulldown assay to assess binding stoichiometry:
This approach can reveal how GATA1 binds monovalently to single GATA motifs while forming higher stoichiometric complexes on palindromic and tandem arrangements, with important implications for transcriptional response differences .
For investigating GATA1 protein interaction networks:
Co-immunoprecipitation with nuclear extracts:
Prepare nuclear extracts from appropriate cell types
Pre-clear extracts with protein G beads
Incubate with biotinylated anti-GATA1 antibody
Capture complexes with streptavidin-coated beads
Elute and analyze interacting partners by Western blot or mass spectrometry
Size-exclusion chromatography coupled with antibody detection:
Research has identified multiple GATA1 interaction partners including FOG1, the NURD complex, SCL/TAL-1 pentameric complex, zinc-finger regulators GFI1B and ZFP143, and the corepressor ETO2, with each partnership potentially mediating distinct transcriptional outcomes .
For genome-wide identification of GATA1 binding sites:
Chromatin immunoprecipitation protocol:
Cross-link cells or tissues with 0.4-1% formaldehyde (10 minutes)
Sonicate chromatin to 200-500 bp fragments
Incubate sonicated chromatin with biotinylated anti-GATA1 antibody
Capture complexes using streptavidin-coated magnetic beads
Wash extensively to remove non-specific binding
Reverse cross-linking and purify DNA
Prepare sequencing libraries for next-generation sequencing
Data analysis workflow:
This methodology has revealed that GATA1 binds to diverse genomic elements containing various configurations of GATA motifs, with binding site architecture influencing transcriptional outcomes .
When encountering high background signals:
Potential causes and solutions:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Endogenous biotin in samples | Pre-block with avidin/streptavidin before adding biotinylated antibody |
| Non-specific binding | Increase blocking agent concentration (5-10% BSA) |
| Excessive antibody concentration | Titrate antibody to determine optimal concentration |
| Insufficient washing | Increase number and volume of washes with appropriate buffer |
| Naturally biotinylated proteins | Use appropriate controls to distinguish target from background |
Protocol modifications:
To validate antibody specificity:
Essential controls:
Positive control: Sample known to express GATA1 (e.g., hematopoietic cells)
Negative control: Sample lacking GATA1 expression
Peptide competition assay: Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide
Isotype control: Use non-specific IgG from same host species
RNAi or CRISPR knockout: Validate by showing signal reduction
Cross-reactivity assessment:
When analyzing differential GATA1 binding to DNA elements:
Interpretation framework:
Single GATA motifs: Typically show monovalent binding with lower occupancy
Palindromic GATA (Pal-GATA): Demonstrate bivalent binding via N and C fingers within a GATA1 monomer
Tandem GATA motifs: Exhibit bivalent binding through two C fingers in a GATA1 homodimer
Functional implications:
Different binding configurations correlate with distinct transcriptional outputs
N-finger interactions contribute significantly to GATA1 occupancy on Pal-GATA sites
GATA1 lacking N-finger DNA association shows reduced target gene expression, particularly at low expression levels
Binding site architecture may determine recruitment of cofactors and chromatin modifiers
This understanding is crucial for interpreting ChIP-seq data and correlating binding patterns with gene expression outcomes in different cellular contexts.
For investigating hematopoietic development in Xenopus:
Experimental approach:
Isolate primary cells from different developmental stages
Perform immunoprecipitation with biotinylated anti-GATA1-a antibody
Analyze protein complexes by mass spectrometry to identify stage-specific partners
Correlate with gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR of GATA1 target genes
Developmental analysis:
The GATA1-a transcription factor in Xenopus acts synergistically with tal1/scl and lmo2 to direct embryonic dorsal mesoderm toward a hematopoietic fate, making these studies valuable for understanding conserved mechanisms of blood development .
For investigating GATA1 enhancer-mediated regulation:
Enhancer analysis approaches:
Transgenic reporter assays with wildtype and mutated enhancer elements
CRISPR-based genomic editing of enhancer elements
ChIP-seq analysis of histone modifications at enhancer regions
Chromosome conformation capture techniques to study enhancer-promoter interactions
G1HE analysis methodology:
Studies have shown that the GATA1 gene hematopoietic enhancer (G1HE) and its highly conserved GATA box play differential roles in stage-specific expression, with the GATA box being critical for BREP stage expression while only partially affecting CREP stage expression .
For comprehensive multi-omics analysis:
Integrated experimental workflow:
ChIP-seq with biotinylated anti-GATA1 antibodies to map genomic binding sites
RNA-seq to correlate binding with gene expression changes
ATAC-seq to assess chromatin accessibility at GATA1 binding sites
Cut&Run or CUT&Tag for high-resolution mapping of binding sites
Proteomics of immunoprecipitated complexes to identify cofactors
Data integration strategy:
This integrative approach can reveal how GATA1 nucleates different protein complexes at distinct genomic loci to coordinate diverse transcriptional programs in hematopoietic development.
Comparison of approaches for GATA1 complex isolation:
| Feature | Biotinylated Antibodies | In Vivo Biotinylation |
|---|---|---|
| Setup complexity | Lower (uses commercial antibody) | Higher (requires stable cell line generation) |
| Specificity | Variable (depends on antibody quality) | Very high (direct tag on target protein) |
| Native complexes | May disrupt some interactions | Preserves native complexes |
| Background | Higher (endogenous biotin proteins) | Lower (specific tagging) |
| Applications | Works in any system | Requires genetically modifiable system |
| Quantity of material | Requires more starting material | Can work with less material |
The in vivo biotinylation approach involves generating cells expressing both biotin ligase (BirA) and a biotag-GATA1 fusion protein, which allows for one-step purification of protein complexes with high specificity and efficiency. This method has been successfully used to isolate and characterize megakaryocyte GATA1-interacting proteins including FOG1, the NURD complex, and the SCL pentameric complex .
Comparison of antibody conjugates for different applications:
| Conjugate | Advantages | Limitations | Best Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotin | - High affinity for streptavidin - Versatile secondary detection - Resistant to pH changes | - Endogenous biotin interference - Potential steric hindrance | - Pull-down assays - ELISA - ChIP |
| Fluorophores | - Direct visualization - Multiplex capability - No secondary reagents needed | - Photobleaching - Limited signal amplification | - Flow cytometry - Immunofluorescence - FRET assays |
| Enzymes (HRP/AP) | - Signal amplification - Sensitive detection - Quantitative readout | - Limited multiplexing - Potential steric effects | - Western blot - ELISA - IHC |
| Unconjugated | - Maximum flexibility - No modification interference - Compatible with various secondaries | - Requires secondary detection - More washing steps | - Western blot - IHC - IP |
Biotinylated antibodies offer significant advantages for applications requiring high sensitivity and strong binding interactions, such as chromatin immunoprecipitation and protein complex isolation .
Decision factors for antibody selection:
| Feature | Polyclonal (e.g., gata1-a antibody) | Monoclonal |
|---|---|---|
| Epitope recognition | Multiple epitopes | Single epitope |
| Sensitivity | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| Batch-to-batch variation | Higher | Lower |
| Species cross-reactivity | Often broader | Usually more restricted |
| Application versatility | Works in multiple applications | May be application-specific |
| Stability | Moderately stable | Highly stable |
| Production complexity | Lower | Higher |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
This comparative analysis can guide researchers in selecting the optimal antibody format for their specific experimental questions related to GATA1 function.