Direct: HRP is conjugated to the primary anti-HINFP antibody, reducing cross-reactivity risks and streamlining workflows .
Indirect: Requires a secondary HRP-conjugated antibody, often used for signal amplification .
Chromatin Regulation Studies: HINFP regulates histone H4 gene transcription during the G1/S phase transition, critical for DNA replication and cell cycle progression .
Cancer Research: HINFP’s role in cyclin E/CDK2 signaling links it to tumorigenesis, particularly in genomic regions prone to deletions (e.g., 11q22-q23) .
Diagnostic Assays: Used in ELISA for quantifying HINFP levels in human samples .
HINFP forms a complex with p220 NPAT to activate histone H4 gene transcription, independent of the E2F/pRB pathway .
Homozygous Hinfp-null mutations cause embryonic lethality in mice due to disrupted histone H4 expression and cell proliferation failure .
Cyclin E/CDK2 phosphorylates p220 NPAT, enabling HINFP to bind histone H4 promoters and initiate S-phase gene expression .
Knockout Models: Hinfp-null mouse embryos exhibit developmental arrest at E6.5, with reduced histone H4 mRNA levels .
Subcellular Localization: HINFP localizes to histone locus bodies, nuclear domains associated with histone gene clusters .
Stability: HRP conjugates degrade over time, especially when diluted or exposed to repeated freeze-thaw cycles .
Sensitivity: Optimal dilutions vary by application; vendors recommend empirical testing (e.g., 1:1,000 for WB) .
HINFP (Histone H4 Transcription Factor) is a multi-functional transcription regulator with several important biological roles. It functions as a transcriptional repressor that binds to the consensus sequence 5'-CGGACGTT-3' and to the RB1 promoter. It also acts as a transcriptional activator that promotes histone H4 gene transcription at the G1/S phase transition in conjunction with NPAT. Additionally, HINFP activates transcription of the ATM and PRKDC genes and autoregulates its expression by associating with its own promoter .
Research has also demonstrated that HINFP (also known as MIZF) interacts with MBD2, a methyl-CpG-binding protein that plays a critical role in DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional repression. In this capacity, HINFP functions as a negative regulator of transcription by binding to MBD2 and recruiting histone deacetylase complexes .
An HRP-conjugated antibody is an immunoglobulin molecule that has been chemically linked to horseradish peroxidase (HRP), an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of substrates by hydrogen peroxide, producing a detectable signal. In the case of HINFP Antibody-HRP conjugates, the antibody portion binds specifically to HINFP protein while the HRP portion provides a means of detection.
When used in immunoassays such as ELISA, the antibody-HRP conjugate binds to the target antigen (HINFP), and upon addition of an appropriate substrate, the HRP enzyme catalyzes a reaction that produces a colorimetric, chemiluminescent, or fluorescent signal. This signal can be measured to quantify the amount of HINFP present in the sample . The sensitivity of detection depends on various factors, including the quality of conjugation between the antibody and HRP, which can be optimized through methods such as lyophilization during the conjugation process .
HINFP Antibody, HRP conjugated is primarily used in the following research applications:
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): The primary application where HRP-conjugated HINFP antibodies are used for direct detection of HINFP in samples with recommended dilutions typically ranging from 1:500 to 1:1000 .
Western Blot: While unconjugated primary antibodies are more commonly used for Western blotting, HRP-conjugated antibodies can sometimes be used in direct detection systems.
Immunocytochemistry/Immunofluorescence: For visualizing the cellular localization of HINFP, particularly in human cell lines such as HeLa and L02 cells .
Immunohistochemistry: For detecting HINFP in tissue sections, including human, mouse, and rat liver tissues .
Optimal dilution factors for HINFP Antibody, HRP conjugated vary based on:
For ELISA applications:
Optimized protocols with enhanced conjugation methods may allow for dilutions up to 1:5000, significantly more sensitive than classical conjugation methods which may only work at dilutions as low as 1:25
Important considerations:
Dilution factors should be determined empirically for each specific application and experimental condition
Titration experiments are recommended when using the antibody in a new protocol or with different sample types
Enhanced conjugation methods using lyophilization may allow for more economical use of the antibody through higher dilution factors
Proper storage is crucial for preserving the activity of both the antibody and the HRP enzyme:
Temperature: Aliquot and store at -20°C for long-term storage
Light exposure: Avoid exposure to light as HRP is light-sensitive
Freeze/thaw cycles: Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles which can degrade both the antibody and enzyme activity
Buffer composition: Typically stored in 0.01 M PBS, pH 7.4, with 0.03% Proclin-300 and 50% Glycerol
Aliquoting: Divide into small aliquots before freezing to avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles; 20 μl sizes may contain 0.1% BSA for additional stability
When properly stored, the conjugated antibody should maintain its activity for at least one year after shipment .
Rigorous experimental design requires appropriate controls when using HINFP Antibody, HRP conjugated:
Positive controls:
Known HINFP-expressing samples: HepG2 cells, human liver tissue, mouse liver tissue, rat liver tissue, and L02 cells have been validated to express detectable levels of HINFP
Negative controls:
Isotype control: Rabbit IgG-HRP conjugate with no specific target to assess non-specific binding
Antigen blocking: Pre-incubation of the antibody with recombinant HINFP protein (specifically the 370-515AA region used as immunogen)
HRP substrate only: To check for endogenous peroxidase activity or non-specific substrate reactions
Specificity controls:
Knockdown/knockout validation: HINFP knockdown or knockout samples to confirm signal specificity
Cross-reactivity assessment: Testing on samples from different species to confirm the human-specific reactivity
The introduction of a lyophilization step in the HRP-antibody conjugation process represents a significant methodological advancement that researchers should consider:
Lyophilization during conjugation offers several advantages:
Enhanced binding capacity: The process allows antibodies to bind more HRP molecules, creating conjugates with higher enzyme-to-antibody ratios
Mechanism of enhancement:
Performance improvement: Conjugates prepared using lyophilization can perform efficiently at dilutions as high as 1:5000, whereas traditional conjugation methods may only work effectively at much lower dilutions around 1:25
Practical significance: This technical modification enables:
Reduced antibody consumption in experiments
Improved sensitivity in immunoassays
More cost-effective research practices
Potential for detecting lower abundance targets
Researchers working with HINFP should consider either purchasing commercially available enhanced conjugates or implementing this lyophilization step when preparing their own HRP-antibody conjugates .
Understanding the molecular properties of HINFP is essential for accurate experimental design and data interpretation:
Molecular weight considerations:
Calculated molecular weight: 60 kDa
Migration patterns may vary depending on post-translational modifications
Possible detection of multiple bands representing different isoforms
HINFP protein characteristics:
Alternative names and isoforms:
Histone H4 transcription factor
Histone nuclear factor P (HiNF-P)
MBD2-interacting zinc finger protein (MIZF)
Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2-interacting zinc finger protein
This information is particularly important when analyzing Western blots, immunoprecipitation results, or mass spectrometry data involving HINFP detection.
Advanced research often requires simultaneous detection of multiple targets. When incorporating HINFP Antibody, HRP conjugated into multiplex approaches:
Cocktail antibody strategies:
Similar to the approach used with oligonucleotide probes, using a cocktail of antibodies targeting different epitopes of HINFP can increase sensitivity
Consider combining the HRP-conjugated HINFP antibody with antibodies targeting known HINFP-interacting proteins like NPAT, MBD2, or components of histone deacetylase complexes
Multiplex immunoassay optimization:
Substrate selection: Choose HRP substrates compatible with other detection systems:
TMB (3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine) for colorimetric detection
Luminol-based reagents for chemiluminescence
Tyramide signal amplification for fluorescence multiplexing
Cross-reactivity prevention:
Thoroughly validate antibody specificity before multiplex experiments
Use careful blocking and washing protocols to minimize background
Consider sequential detection approaches rather than simultaneous detection if cross-reactivity occurs
Signal separation:
For fluorescence applications, ensure appropriate spectral separation between fluorophores
For chromogenic applications, use distinct substrates that produce different colored products
Consider compartmentalized detection (nuclear vs. cytoplasmic) based on HINFP's nuclear localization
Common causes of false positives:
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Non-specific binding | Insufficient blocking or high antibody concentration | Optimize blocking conditions; try different blocking agents (BSA, casein, serum); use more stringent washing; reduce antibody concentration |
| Cross-reactivity | Antibody recognizing proteins similar to HINFP | Validate specificity with knockout/knockdown controls; use peptide competition assays; consider alternative antibodies |
| Endogenous peroxidase activity | Sample contains enzymes with peroxidase-like activity | Include peroxidase quenching step (e.g., hydrogen peroxide treatment); use appropriate negative controls |
Common causes of false negatives:
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Antibody denaturation | Improper storage or handling | Store according to manufacturer recommendations; avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles; verify HRP activity with substrate test |
| Low target expression | HINFP levels below detection limit | Use enhanced detection methods (signal amplification); increase sample concentration; optimize incubation times |
| Masking of epitope | Sample preparation affecting antibody accessibility | Try different sample preparation methods; consider antigen retrieval techniques; use alternative antibodies targeting different epitopes |
| HRP inactivation | Exposure to inhibitors or incompatible buffers | Check for presence of sodium azide or other inhibitors; ensure compatibility of all reagents; include positive controls |
Distinguishing specific from non-specific binding requires systematic validation approaches:
Control experiments:
Peptide competition/blocking: Pre-incubate antibody with recombinant HINFP protein (370-515AA region) to block specific binding sites
Gradient dilution series: Specific signals typically diminish proportionally with dilution
Isotype controls: Use matched IgG-HRP conjugate at equivalent concentration
Signal pattern analysis:
Alternative detection methods:
Confirm findings using a second antibody targeting a different epitope of HINFP
Validate with orthogonal techniques (qPCR, mass spectrometry)
Employ genetic approaches (siRNA knockdown, CRISPR knockout)
Quantitative assessment:
Calculate signal-to-noise ratios under different conditions
Use image analysis software to quantify signal intensity and distribution
Compare results with predicted expression patterns based on tissue/cell type
Batch-to-batch variability is a significant challenge in antibody-based research. Strategies to address this include:
Standardization protocols:
Establish internal validation benchmarks for each new antibody batch
Use the same positive control samples across experiments
Develop quantitative metrics for antibody performance (sensitivity, specificity)
Calibration approaches:
Create standard curves with recombinant HINFP protein
Normalize signals to housekeeping proteins or internal controls
Use reference samples with known HINFP concentration
Enhanced conjugation methods:
Long-term planning:
Purchase multiple vials from the same lot for long-term studies
Aliquot antibodies to avoid freeze-thaw issues
Consider developing stable cell lines expressing tagged HINFP as consistent controls
Given HINFP's role in transcriptional regulation and interaction with DNA methylation machinery, several advanced applications emerge:
Investigating HINFP in DNA methylation pathways:
ChIP-seq with HINFP antibodies to map genomic binding sites
Co-immunoprecipitation to isolate HINFP-MBD2 complexes
Analysis of HINFP recruitment to methylated promoters
Cell cycle-dependent histone regulation:
Autoregulatory mechanisms:
Analysis of HINFP's binding to its own promoter
Investigation of feedback loops in transcriptional regulation
Study of post-translational modifications affecting HINFP activity
Methodological approaches:
Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq)
Proximity ligation assays to study HINFP-protein interactions in situ
CRISPR-mediated genomic editing to study HINFP binding site mutations
HINFP's roles in transcriptional regulation, cell cycle control, and epigenetic processes suggest important connections to cancer biology:
HINFP in proliferation control:
Investigation of HINFP levels in rapidly dividing cancer cells
Analysis of histone H4 regulation in response to oncogenic signals
Study of HINFP's interaction with cell cycle regulators
RB1 promoter regulation:
DNA damage response pathway:
Epigenetic dysregulation:
Examination of altered HINFP-MBD2 interactions in cancer cells
Study of aberrant DNA methylation patterns in relation to HINFP binding
Investigation of histone deacetylase recruitment by HINFP in tumor suppressor silencing
Combining advanced imaging with HRP-conjugated antibodies opens new research avenues:
Super-resolution microscopy applications:
Tyramide signal amplification (TSA) with HRP-conjugated HINFP antibodies for high-sensitivity detection
Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) to visualize HINFP at ultrastructural level
Multi-color imaging with spectral unmixing to study HINFP co-localization with interaction partners
Live-cell imaging strategies:
HRP-SNAP tag combinations for pulse-chase experiments
Proximity labeling approaches using HRP to identify proteins in close proximity to HINFP
Development of cell-permeable substrates for intracellular HRP detection
Quantitative image analysis:
Digital image processing for precise nuclear vs. cytoplasmic distribution
Machine learning approaches for pattern recognition in HINFP localization
Correlation of HINFP distribution with cell cycle phases or treatment responses
Methodological considerations:
Optimization of fixation and permeabilization for epitope preservation
Balance between signal amplification and spatial resolution
Combined use of fluorescent and chromogenic detection for multiplexed imaging
Understanding the relative advantages of different detection approaches is crucial for experimental design:
The enhanced HRP-conjugated antibodies prepared using lyophilization during conjugation can achieve sensitivities allowing dilutions up to 1:5000, significantly outperforming traditional conjugation methods that typically work at 1:25 dilutions .
Selecting between direct (HRP-conjugated primary antibody) and indirect (primary antibody + HRP-conjugated secondary) detection requires balancing several factors:
Advantages of direct detection with HRP-conjugated HINFP antibodies:
Simplified workflow with fewer incubation and washing steps
Reduced background from non-specific secondary antibody binding
Better for multiplex detection when antibodies from the same species are used
Shorter total protocol time
Enhanced conjugation methods (e.g., lyophilization) may provide sufficient sensitivity
Advantages of indirect (two-step) detection:
Signal amplification through multiple secondary antibodies binding each primary
Greater flexibility as the same secondary can be used with multiple primaries
More economical for multiple targets (only need HRP-conjugated secondary)
Often higher sensitivity for low-abundance targets
Primary antibody concentration can be higher without increased cost
Decision factors:
Target abundance (low abundance may benefit from indirect detection)
Experimental constraints (time limitations favor direct detection)
Multiplexing requirements (direct detection simplifies same-species antibody use)
Budget considerations (indirect methods may be more economical for multiple targets)
Background concerns (direct methods may reduce non-specific binding)
Emerging technologies suggest several promising directions for enhancing HINFP antibody-based detection:
Site-specific conjugation:
Engineered antibodies with site-specific attachment points for HRP
Consistent enzyme-to-antibody ratios for better reproducibility
Preserved antigen-binding regions for optimal target recognition
Alternative enzymes and reporters:
Engineered HRP variants with enhanced stability or catalytic efficiency
Alternative enzymes like alkaline phosphatase with distinct advantages
Nanobody-enzyme fusions for improved tissue penetration and reduced size
Conjugation chemistry innovations:
Recombinant antibody formats:
Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) against HINFP with direct HRP fusion
Bispecific antibodies combining HINFP targeting with binding to interaction partners
Intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) for live-cell applications
Integration of HINFP antibody detection with cutting-edge molecular techniques offers new research opportunities:
Spatial transcriptomics:
Combining HINFP protein detection with RNA-seq data in tissue sections
Correlation of HINFP localization with target gene expression patterns
Integration with single-cell approaches for heterogeneity analysis
CRISPR screening applications:
High-throughput screening of factors affecting HINFP expression or localization
Monitoring HINFP levels as a readout for epigenetic regulators
Creating reporter systems based on HINFP transcriptional activity
Protein interaction mapping:
Proximity labeling combined with mass spectrometry for HINFP interactome analysis
In situ protein interaction detection using proximity ligation assays
Split-HRP complementation for detecting specific HINFP-partner interactions
Functional genomics approaches:
Integration with ATAC-seq data to correlate HINFP binding with chromatin accessibility
Combination with CUT&RUN or CUT&Tag for precise genomic localization
Correlation with histone modification patterns across the genome
These emerging applications represent the frontier of research utilizing HINFP antibodies, particularly those with enhanced properties through advanced conjugation methods.