The GCHFR Antibody, HRP conjugated is a specialized immunological reagent used for detecting the GTP Cyclohydrolase I Feedback Regulator (GCHFR) protein in research and diagnostic applications. GCHFR regulates the activity of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH-I), a key enzyme in tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) biosynthesis, which is critical for nitric oxide production and neurotransmitter synthesis . The HRP (horseradish peroxidase) conjugation enables enzymatic amplification for sensitive detection in assays like ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) .
Role: Acts as a feedback inhibitor of GTPCH-I, modulating BH4 synthesis. Its activity is influenced by phenylalanine, which reverses inhibition .
Structure: Typically forms homodimers or pentamers, as shown in cross-linking studies .
Host Species: Primarily rabbit (polyclonal) or mouse (monoclonal) .
Epitope: Targets regions such as amino acids 11–55 (human recombinant protein) or N-terminal/internal regions .
Conjugation: HRP is covalently linked to the antibody via chemical cross-linkers (e.g., Sulfo-SMCC) or recombinant fusion methods .
System: Pichia pastoris yeast or E. coli for HRP-antibody fusion constructs .
Benefits: Homogeneous stoichiometry, retained enzymatic/antigen-binding activity .
Limitations: E. coli lacks glycosylation, leading to insoluble HRP .
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host | Rabbit polyclonal |
| Immunogen | Recombinant human GCHFR (11–55AA) |
| Reactivity | Human |
| Applications | ELISA |
| Concentration | 1.0 mg/mL |
| Buffer | 50% glycerol, 0.01M PBS (pH 7.4) |
| Storage | -20°C or -80°C |
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host | Mouse monoclonal |
| Immunogen | Recombinant human GCHFR (Met1-Glu84) |
| Reactivity | Human, mouse |
| Applications | Western blot, Simple Western™ |
| Dilution | 1 µg/mL (WB), 10 µg/mL (Simple Western) |
GCHFR's Role and Associated Research:
GCHFR antibody targets the GTP cyclohydrolase 1 feedback regulatory protein (also known as GFRP or p35), which plays a crucial role in regulating GTP cyclohydrolase I activity in signal transduction pathways . This protein has a molecular weight of approximately 9.7 kDa and functions in the regulation of tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis. HRP conjugation to this antibody provides a sensitive detection method through enzyme-catalyzed reaction with chromogenic or chemiluminescent substrates. The conjugation allows for signal amplification in immunoassays such as ELISA, thereby enhancing detection sensitivity of low-abundance targets . HRP conjugates are particularly valuable in indirect assays where the two-step procedure provides greater signal amplification because multiple conjugate molecules can bind to each primary antibody .
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for quantitative protein detection
Western blotting for protein identification and semi-quantitative analysis
Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry for protein localization studies
Flow cytometry for cell-based protein expression analysis
The polyclonal nature of commercially available GCHFR antibodies (such as the rabbit polyclonal described in the search results) makes them particularly suitable for robust detection across different experimental conditions .
For maintaining optimal activity of GCHFR antibody-HRP conjugates, the following conditions are recommended:
Proper storage and handling are critical for maintaining conjugate activity, as HRP enzymatic function can be compromised by improper storage conditions, resulting in decreased sensitivity in downstream applications .
Lyophilization introduces a significant improvement to traditional periodate-based conjugation methods. Research has demonstrated that incorporating a lyophilization step after HRPO activation but before mixing with antibodies substantially increases conjugation efficiency . The scientific principle behind this enhancement involves:
Concentration of reactive molecules: Lyophilization reduces reaction volume without changing the amount of reactants, effectively increasing the probability of molecular collisions between activated HRP and antibody molecules .
Extended shelf-life of activated HRP: The freeze-dried activated HRP can be maintained at 4°C for longer durations without losing reactivity .
Increased binding capacity: This modified protocol enables antibodies to bind more HRP molecules, creating poly-HRP conjugates with significantly enhanced sensitivity .
Experimental data shows that conjugates prepared using lyophilization demonstrate functionality at dilutions as high as 1:5000, whereas classical methods require much lower dilutions (1:25) for equivalent detection, representing a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) .
A robust validation strategy should include:
Spectrophotometric analysis: UV-visible spectroscopy between 280-800 nm to confirm successful conjugation. HRP typically shows a peak at 430 nm, antibodies at 280 nm, and conjugates display modified absorbance profiles compared to individual components .
SDS-PAGE analysis: To verify conjugate formation through mobility shift. Properly conjugated antibody-HRP complexes show distinct migration patterns compared to unconjugated components when analyzed under reducing and non-reducing conditions .
Direct ELISA titration: To determine optimal working dilution and sensitivity:
Antigen detection limit assessment: Determine the minimum detectable antigen concentration. Research indicates well-conjugated antibodies can detect antigens at concentrations as low as 1.5 ng .
Cross-reactivity testing: Evaluate potential cross-reactivity with structurally similar proteins to ensure specificity for the intended target.
The choice of substrate significantly impacts detection parameters:
When working with GCHFR antibody-HRP conjugates in particularly demanding applications, enhanced chemiluminescent substrates provide femtogram-level sensitivity with high signal-to-noise ratios . For quantitative applications, substrate choice should be based on the expected concentration range of your target protein and the detection instrumentation available.
For optimal ELISA performance with GCHFR antibody-HRP conjugates, consider these critical parameters:
Antibody concentration optimization:
Blocking optimization:
Use 1-5% BSA or non-fat dry milk in PBS or TBS
Block for 1-2 hours at room temperature or overnight at 4°C
Include 0.05% Tween-20 in washing buffers to reduce background
Substrate incubation:
For TMB substrate: 15-30 minutes at room temperature in the dark
Monitor color development to prevent oversaturation
Stop reaction with equal volume of 2N H₂SO₄ or 1N HCl
Assay sensitivity enhancement:
Implementing appropriate controls is essential for reliable data interpretation:
Each experimental run should include these controls to ensure reliable data interpretation and troubleshooting capabilities.
When encountering signal issues, systematically evaluate these potential causes:
Conjugate degradation:
Verify storage conditions were maintained properly
Check expiration date and freeze-thaw history
Prepare fresh working dilutions from stock concentrate
Enzymatic activity loss:
Test HRP activity directly with substrate
Presence of inhibitors in buffers (sodium azide inhibits HRP)
Exposure to strong oxidizing or reducing agents
Protocol optimization:
Inadequate incubation time or temperature
Insufficient washing between steps
Improper blocking leading to high background
Buffer composition incompatibility
Sample issues:
Low target protein expression
Protein denaturation affecting epitope recognition
Post-translational modifications affecting antibody binding
Enhanced conjugation methods incorporating lyophilization can significantly improve signal detection sensitivity, allowing for higher dilution factors compared to traditional methods .
For rigorous quantitative analysis:
Standard curve development:
Use recombinant GCHFR protein at known concentrations (e.g., 0.1-10 ng/mL)
Plot signal intensity versus concentration using appropriate regression models
Ensure R² value exceeds 0.98 for reliable quantification
Signal normalization strategies:
For western blots: normalize to loading controls (β-actin, GAPDH)
For ELISA: include inter-plate calibrators to adjust for plate-to-plate variation
For cell-based assays: normalize to cell number or total protein content
Statistical analysis recommendations:
Detection limit determination:
Understanding and controlling sources of variability ensures reproducible results:
The significantly improved consistency of lyophilization-enhanced HRP conjugation has been demonstrated through statistical analysis showing p<0.001 when comparing the modified method to classical conjugation approaches across multiple experiments .
Adapting GCHFR antibody-HRP conjugates for multiplex detection requires careful consideration of:
Substrate selection for spectral separation:
Use substrates with distinct spectral properties for simultaneous detection
Consider sequential detection with different substrates and imaging
Cross-reactivity elimination:
Verify absence of cross-reactivity between multiple primary antibodies
Utilize antibodies from different host species to enable species-specific secondary detection
Signal separation methods:
Employ differential enzyme systems (HRP, AP, β-gal) with distinct substrates
Incorporate spatial separation techniques on solid supports
Utilize time-resolved detection methods
Recent advances in immunoassay technology suggest possibilities for adapting GCHFR antibody-HRP conjugates into multiplex panels for comprehensive signal transduction pathway analysis.
The research landscape is expanding to include:
Single-cell proteomics:
Ultra-sensitive detection of low-abundance proteins in individual cells
Integration with microfluidic platforms for high-throughput analysis
In vivo imaging applications:
Development of HRP-conjugated antibodies with cell-penetrating peptides
In situ visualization of protein-protein interactions
Diagnostic development:
Ultra-sensitive biomarker detection for early disease identification
Point-of-care testing platforms using simplified HRP detection systems
Therapeutic monitoring:
Quantitative assessment of biologic drug levels and anti-drug antibodies
Personalized medicine applications for treatment optimization
Enhanced conjugation methods, such as the lyophilization-based approach, may enable these advanced applications by providing significantly improved sensitivity (functioning at dilutions of 1:5000 compared to traditional methods requiring 1:25 dilutions) .