HIST1H1C (Ab-158) is a rabbit polyclonal antibody targeting the unmodified lysine residue at position 158 (Ab-158) of histone H1.2 (encoded by the HIST1H1C gene), a somatic linker histone critical for chromatin compaction and transcriptional regulation . This antibody is primarily used to study histone H1.2’s role in chromatin dynamics, epigenetic modifications, and disease mechanisms, including diabetic retinopathy and immune regulation .
Detects endogenous HIST1H1C without cross-reactivity to post-translational modifications (e.g., crotonylation) at K158 .
Compatible with chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) for studying histone-DNA interactions .
Chromatin Structure Analysis: HIST1H1C regulates nucleosome spacing and DNA methylation, impacting gene expression . The Ab-158 antibody helps map histone H1.2 localization in chromatin remodeling studies .
Disease Mechanisms:
Western Blot: Detects a single band at ~37 kDa in human cell lines (e.g., HeLa, A549), higher than the predicted 21 kDa due to post-translational modifications .
Immunofluorescence: Localizes HIST1H1C to nuclei in fixed cells (e.g., HeLa), confirming its chromatin-binding role .
Overexpression of HIST1H1C in retinal cells increases autophagy markers (LC3B-II, ATG proteins) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, CCL2), exacerbating cell death .
Knockdown of HIST1H1C reduces basal and stress-induced autophagy, highlighting its regulatory role in metabolic diseases .
Anti-HIST1H1C antibodies suppress dendritic cell maturation by inhibiting p38 MAPK and IκBα signaling, reducing CD80/CD86 expression and T-cell activation .
Histone H1 protein binds to linker DNA between nucleosomes, forming the chromatin fiber. These histones are essential for condensing nucleosome chains into higher-order structures. Additionally, Histone H1 plays a regulatory role in gene transcription through chromatin remodeling, nucleosome spacing, and DNA methylation.
The following studies highlight the diverse functional roles of Histone H1:
HIST1H1C is a linker histone protein, specifically histone H1.2, which plays a crucial role in higher-order chromatin structure organization and epigenetic regulation. In the scientific literature, this protein is known by several synonyms, including:
Understanding these alternative designations is essential when conducting literature searches and comparing experimental findings across different research groups.
The 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H1C (K158) polyclonal antibody has been validated for multiple research applications:
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Western Blotting (WB)
Immunocytochemistry (ICC)
This diverse range of applications makes this antibody a versatile tool for investigating histone H1.2 modifications in various experimental contexts, from protein expression analysis to chromatin-DNA interaction studies.
The K158 position refers to the lysine residue at position 158 in the HIST1H1C protein sequence, which can undergo 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation, a post-translational modification (PTM). This specific modification is significant because:
It represents one of the many PTMs that regulate histone function
Site-specific modifications at different lysine residues can result in distinct functional outcomes
The 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H1C (K158) antibody specifically recognizes this modified form, allowing researchers to study this particular epigenetic mark
Research has demonstrated that site-specific modifications of histone H1 contribute to its regulatory functions in chromatin organization and gene expression control.
When designing Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments with the HIST1H1C (Ab-158) antibody, researchers should follow these methodological considerations:
Sample preparation: Use fresh tissue or cells with minimal processing time to preserve histone modifications
Crosslinking: Optimize formaldehyde crosslinking time (typically 10-15 minutes) to effectively capture histone-DNA interactions
Sonication: Adjust sonication conditions to generate DNA fragments of 200-500bp for optimal resolution
Antibody concentration: Determine the optimal antibody concentration through titration experiments (typically starting with manufacturer recommendations)
Controls: Include appropriate controls such as IgG negative control and a positive control targeting a well-characterized histone mark
Validation: Confirm antibody specificity using Western blot on the same samples used for ChIP
This structured approach ensures reliable detection of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated HIST1H1C at K158 in chromatin contexts.
For optimal immunohistochemistry (IHC) results with HIST1H1C antibodies, researchers should consider the following protocol elements:
Fixation: Use 10% neutral buffered formalin for 24-48 hours
Antigen retrieval: Heat-mediated antigen retrieval in citrate buffer (pH 6.0) is recommended
Antibody dilution: A dilution range of 1:100-1:300 has been validated for IHC applications
Detection system: Use a polymer-based detection system for enhanced sensitivity
Counterstaining: Hematoxylin counterstaining provides optimal nuclear detail
Positive control: Human thyroid cancer tissue has been successfully used as a positive control
This protocol has been optimized based on experimental validation with paraffin-embedded human tissue sections.
The HIST1H1C antibodies have been validated for use with various sample types:
| Sample Type | Validated Applications | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Cell lysates | Western blot, IP | Human |
| Tissue sections | IHC, IF | Human, mouse, rat |
| Chromatin preparations | ChIP | Human |
| Cultured cells | ICC | Human |
Specific tissues with confirmed reactivity include:
When working with new sample types, preliminary validation experiments are recommended to confirm antibody specificity and optimal working conditions.
Recent research has revealed that site-specific ubiquitylation of histone H1 has profound effects on its function and interaction network:
Distinct interactomes: Ubiquitylation at different positions results in overlapping but distinct interaction partners for H1.2
Enzymatic regulation: Site-specific ubiquitylation modulates interactions with deubiquitylating enzymes and the deacetylase SIRT1
Phase separation properties: Ubiquitylation at position K64 specifically impacts H1-induced phase separation and chromatosome assembly
Conformational changes: K64 ubiquitylation induces conformational changes in the H1.2-SIRT1 complex, potentially affecting SIRT1's deacetylation activity
Chromatin structure: Ubiquitylation at K64 leads to the formation of more numerous but less concentrated H1-dependent condensates, suggesting a reduction in chromatin compaction
These findings highlight that ubiquitylation serves as a critical regulator of H1 function beyond simple protein turnover, contributing to the modulation of chromatin structure and gene expression.
The interaction between modified HIST1H1C and SIRT1 (Sirtuin 1) represents an important regulatory mechanism in chromatin biology:
SIRT1 binding: HIST1H1C interacts with SIRT1, a NAD+-dependent deacetylase that targets various nuclear proteins including histones
Ubiquitylation effects: Site-specific ubiquitylation of HIST1H1C at position K64 results in conformational changes within the HIST1H1C-SIRT1 complex
Multiple conformational states: At least two main clusters of structural solutions exist for the H1.2 K64Ub-SIRT1 complex, suggesting multiple functional Ub-dependent conformations
Deacetylation modulation: Ubiquitylation of H1.2 at K64 affects SIRT1's deacetylation capacity, potentially counteracting its transcriptional repressive function
Epigenetic crosstalk: This interaction suggests crosstalk between different epigenetic modifications, as SIRT1 targets both core histones and linker histones
This complex interplay demonstrates how site-specific modifications of linker histones can influence broader epigenetic regulatory networks through protein-protein interactions.
Recent research has uncovered the role of HIST1H1C in biomolecular condensate formation and chromatin organization:
Condensate formation: H1.2 can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation, forming molecular condensates important for chromatin organization
Modification effects: Site-specific ubiquitylation affects and modulates condensate formation of H1.2
K64 ubiquitylation: Ubiquitylation at position K64 leads to the formation of more numerous but less concentrated H1-dependent condensates
Chromatosome effects: The effects observed for H1-DNA condensates are mirrored in intact chromatosomes (nucleosome + H1)
Chromatin compaction: The observed reduction in condensate concentration suggests ubiquitylation promotes a more open chromatin conformation
Transcriptional implications: This more open conformation may counteract transcriptional repression, consistent with the idea that H1 ubiquitylation plays a role in transcriptional control
These findings highlight how post-translational modifications of linker histones regulate not only protein-protein interactions but also the biophysical properties that govern chromatin structure.
To maintain optimal activity of HIST1H1C antibodies, researchers should follow these storage recommendations:
Short-term storage: Store at 4°C for up to two weeks
Long-term storage: Store at -20°C or -80°C in small aliquots to minimize freeze-thaw cycles
Buffer composition: Ensure the antibody is stored in a suitable buffer containing preservatives
Avoid freeze-thaw cycles: Minimize repeated freezing and thawing as this can lead to antibody denaturation and loss of activity
Working solutions: Diluted working solutions should be prepared fresh and used within 24 hours
Shipping conditions: Note that antibodies may be shipped at ambient temperature but should be properly stored upon arrival
Following these guidelines will help preserve antibody specificity and sensitivity for experimental applications.
Differentiating between various HIST1H1C modifications requires careful methodological approaches:
Specific antibodies: Use modification-specific antibodies such as the 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-HIST1H1C (K158) antibody that recognize particular PTMs at defined residues
Mass spectrometry: Employ high-resolution mass spectrometry to detect and quantify different modifications
Sequential immunoprecipitation: Perform sequential IP with antibodies against different modifications to analyze co-occurrence patterns
In vitro competition assays: Use synthetic peptides with specific modifications to test antibody specificity
Mutational analysis: Generate point mutations at specific lysine residues to validate antibody specificity and functional importance
Western blot controls: Include appropriate controls such as unmodified protein and proteins with other modifications to confirm specificity
These approaches enable researchers to precisely characterize and distinguish between the various post-translational modifications that regulate HIST1H1C function.
When working with HIST1H1C antibodies, researchers should be mindful of several potential cross-reactivity considerations:
Histone family homology: The high sequence homology between histone variants may lead to cross-reactivity with other H1 family members (H1.1, H1.3, H1.4, etc.)
Modification specificity: Antibodies targeting specific modifications (e.g., 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation at K158) may recognize similar modifications at equivalent positions in other histone variants
Species specificity: While many HIST1H1C antibodies show cross-reactivity across human, mouse, and rat samples, verification is recommended when working with other species
Non-specific binding: High antibody concentrations may lead to non-specific binding, requiring careful titration
Validation approaches: Western blotting with recombinant proteins or peptide competition assays should be used to confirm specificity
Batch variability: Different lots of the same antibody may show slight variations in specificity and sensitivity
Researchers should perform appropriate validation experiments with their specific samples to ensure antibody specificity before proceeding with full-scale experiments.
HIST1H1C antibodies are increasingly being utilized in several cutting-edge research areas:
Phase separation biology: Investigating how histone modifications regulate condensate formation and chromatin organization
Single-cell epigenomics: Exploring heterogeneity in histone modifications at the single-cell level
Epigenetic crosstalk: Studying how histone H1 modifications interact with and influence other epigenetic marks
Disease mechanisms: Examining the role of linker histone modifications in cancer, heart disease, and kidney disorders
Therapeutic targeting: Developing approaches to modulate specific histone modifications for therapeutic purposes
These emerging areas represent exciting frontiers where HIST1H1C antibodies serve as essential tools for uncovering new biological mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
For comprehensive epigenetic analysis, researchers can integrate HIST1H1C modification data with other datasets using these methodological approaches:
Multi-omics integration platforms: Utilize bioinformatic tools designed for integrating ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and other genomic datasets
Correlation analysis: Perform correlation analysis between HIST1H1C modification patterns and gene expression profiles
Co-occurrence mapping: Map the co-occurrence of HIST1H1C modifications with other histone marks and DNA methylation patterns
Functional enrichment: Conduct pathway and ontology enrichment analyses on genes associated with specific HIST1H1C modification patterns
Machine learning approaches: Apply supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms to identify complex relationships between multiple epigenetic marks
Visualization tools: Use genome browsers and specialized visualization software to display integrated multi-omics data