The antibody is widely used to study:
Chromatin Dynamics: Nucleosome stability and histone-DNA interactions during transcription or DNA repair .
Epigenetic Modifications: Post-translational changes (e.g., ubiquitination, acetylation) linked to gene regulation .
Disease Mechanisms: Roles in cancer (e.g., breast cancer, adrenal gland disorders) via IHC staining of FFPE tissues .
For example, IHC validation in human breast cancer tissues demonstrated robust nuclear staining at a 1:20 dilution, confirming its utility in pathological studies .
Human Breast Cancer: Clear nuclear staining at 1:20 dilution using citrate buffer (pH 6.0) antigen retrieval and HRP-conjugated detection .
Human Adrenal Gland: Specific signal localization in paraffin-embedded sections under identical conditions .
HIST1H2BC (Histone H2B type 1-C/E/F/G/I) is a core histone protein that plays a critical role in packaging DNA into chromatin and regulating gene expression. It is essential for maintaining the structure and stability of the genome, making it a key player in cellular processes such as transcription, DNA replication, and DNA repair .
The protein is one of several histone H2B variants and is encoded by the HIST1H2BC gene. Understanding its function is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms of gene regulation and chromatin dynamics in both normal development and disease progression .
The HIST1H2BC (Ab-15) Antibody is a polyclonal antibody produced in rabbits that specifically targets the region around lysine 15 of the Human Histone H2B type 1-C/E/F/G/I protein . Its key specifications include:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Primary Antibody |
| Clonality | Polyclonal |
| Host | Rabbit |
| Reactivity | Human (Homo sapiens) |
| Purification Method | Antigen Affinity Purified |
| Isotype | IgG |
| Target | Peptide sequence around site of Lys (15) |
The antibody has been validated for research applications including ELISA, Western Blot, and immunohistochemistry .
For optimal performance and longevity of the HIST1H2BC antibody, researchers should follow these storage and handling guidelines:
Store at -20°C for long-term storage
For frequent use, aliquot to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Maintain in a buffer containing preservatives (typically 0.03% Proclin 300)
Avoid contamination
Record date of reconstitution and number of freeze-thaw cycles
Always centrifuge briefly before opening the vial after thawing
Proper storage and handling are critical for maintaining antibody activity and ensuring consistent experimental results.
Based on available data, the HIST1H2BC (Ab-15) Antibody can be used in multiple applications with the following recommended dilutions:
| Application | Recommended Dilution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ELISA | 1:2000-1:10000 | For plate-based assays |
| Western Blot (WB) | 1:500-1:2000 | Use appropriate blocking buffer |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | 1:100-1:500 | Optimized for paraffin-embedded sections |
| Immunofluorescence (IF) | 1:50-1:200 | Higher concentrations may be needed than for similar HIST1H2BC antibodies |
These dilutions should be considered as starting points and may require optimization for your specific experimental conditions and sample types .
Validating antibody specificity is crucial for ensuring reliable experimental results. For HIST1H2BC (Ab-15) Antibody, consider these validation approaches:
Positive and negative controls: Use cell lines or tissues known to express or not express HIST1H2BC.
Peptide competition assay: Pre-incubate the antibody with the immunizing peptide (peptide sequence around Lys-15) before application to your samples. This should abolish specific binding.
Genetic knockdown validation: Compare antibody staining in wildtype cells versus cells with HIST1H2BC knockdown (siRNA) or knockout (CRISPR-Cas9).
Multiple antibody comparison: Use another validated HIST1H2BC antibody (such as HIST1H2BC Ab-108 or Ab-120) that targets a different epitope and compare staining patterns .
Mass spectrometry validation: For the ultimate confirmation, immunoprecipitate the protein and analyze by mass spectrometry to confirm identity.
Document all validation methods used as this strengthens the credibility of subsequent experimental results.
HIST1H2BC belongs to a family of histone H2B variants that share high sequence homology. When designing experiments, researchers should consider:
Sequence conservation: HIST1H2BC shares significant sequence similarity with other H2B variants including H2BFH, H2BFA, H2BFK, and others (HIST1H2BE, HIST1H2BF, HIST1H2BG, HIST1H2BI) . This can affect antibody cross-reactivity.
Functional redundancy: Due to high sequence similarity, these variants may have overlapping functions in chromatin structure and gene regulation.
Tissue-specific expression: Different H2B variants may show tissue-specific or development-specific expression patterns.
Distinguishing variants: When studying HIST1H2BC specifically, consider using techniques that can distinguish between highly similar variants:
Use antibodies against unique post-translational modifications
Employ RNA interference targeting unique 3'UTR sequences
Design PCR primers for variant-specific regions
While not explicitly listed in the product information, polyclonal antibodies against histones are often suitable for ChIP applications with proper optimization:
Crosslinking optimization: For histones, a shorter formaldehyde crosslinking time (5-10 minutes) may be sufficient due to their direct interaction with DNA.
Chromatin fragmentation: Aim for fragments of 200-500bp for optimal resolution. Sonication parameters should be carefully optimized for your sample type.
Antibody amount: Begin with 2-5μg of HIST1H2BC (Ab-15) Antibody per ChIP reaction and adjust based on results.
Pre-clearing step: Include a pre-clearing step with protein A/G beads to reduce non-specific binding.
Washing stringency: Optimize salt concentration in wash buffers to maintain specific binding while reducing background.
Controls:
Input control (non-immunoprecipitated chromatin)
IgG control (normal rabbit IgG)
Positive control (antibody against a well-characterized histone mark)
Validation: Confirm enrichment at known HIST1H2BC-associated genomic regions via qPCR before proceeding to sequencing.
While the search results focus more on HIST1H2BD than HIST1H2BC specifically, the related findings provide valuable insights for HIST1H2BC research in cancer:
Expression alterations: Similar to HIST1H2BD, HIST1H2BC expression may be dysregulated in cancer tissues. Studies have shown that HIST1H2BD is significantly upregulated in breast tumor cells compared to normal breast cells .
Prognostic significance: Research has identified HIST1H2BD as a potential prognostic marker in breast cancer, with a hazard ratio of 0.712, indicating that higher expression is associated with improved survival . Similar studies may be warranted for HIST1H2BC.
Subtype relevance: HIST1H2BD expression correlates with recurrence-free survival in specific breast cancer subtypes (luminal A, HER2+, and normal-like) . Researchers should investigate if HIST1H2BC shows similar subtype-specific patterns.
Metastatic potential: Given that HIST1H2BD has been identified as a hub gene in metastatic breast cancer networks , HIST1H2BC may also play a role in metastatic processes.
Therapeutic target potential: The identification of HIST1H2BD as a potential therapeutic target suggests that other histone variants including HIST1H2BC warrant investigation for similar potential.
Researchers studying HIST1H2BC in cancer contexts should consider these findings while designing experiments to elucidate its specific role.
Histone proteins, including HIST1H2BC, undergo extensive post-translational modifications (PTMs) that can significantly impact antibody recognition:
Epitope masking: The HIST1H2BC (Ab-15) Antibody targets the region around Lysine 15. This lysine can be modified by acetylation, methylation, or ubiquitination, potentially masking the epitope and preventing antibody binding.
Modification-specific detection: When studying specific HIST1H2BC modifications, use antibodies that specifically recognize the modified form (e.g., anti-H2B-K15ac for acetylated K15).
Sample preparation considerations:
For detecting total HIST1H2BC regardless of modifications, use denaturing conditions in Western blots
For studying specific modifications, avoid harsh detergents that might remove modifications
Consider using phosphatase or deacetylase inhibitors in lysis buffers to preserve modification states
Cross-reactivity assessment: Validate that your HIST1H2BC (Ab-15) Antibody recognizes the unmodified form by comparing recognition patterns in samples treated with or without modifying enzymes.
Modification profiling: Consider combining HIST1H2BC immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry to profile all modifications present on the protein.
Understanding the modification landscape of your samples is essential for accurate interpretation of antibody-based detection results.
When encountering issues with HIST1H2BC antibody performance, consider these methodological approaches:
Weak or no signal:
Increase antibody concentration (decrease dilution)
Extend primary antibody incubation time (overnight at 4°C)
Enhance detection system (more sensitive substrate, signal amplification)
Check protein extraction protocol (histones require specific extraction methods)
Verify target protein expression in your sample
Ensure sample preparation preserves epitope accessibility
Non-specific or high background:
Optimize blocking (try different blocking agents, increase blocking time)
Increase washing steps (more frequent, longer washes)
Decrease antibody concentration
Pre-adsorb antibody with similar proteins
Filter secondary antibody to remove aggregates
Use more stringent washing buffers
Inconsistent results:
Standardize protein extraction and loading
Maintain consistent antibody lot numbers
Implement positive and loading controls
Document and standardize all protocol variables
Protocol optimization for histone detection:
For Western blots, use specialized histone extraction buffers containing high salt
For IHC/IF, consider antigen retrieval methods optimized for nuclear proteins
Run SDS-PAGE with 15-18% gels for better resolution of small histone proteins
Multiplexed assays allow simultaneous detection of multiple targets, providing valuable context for HIST1H2BC analysis:
Antibody species selection:
Pair HIST1H2BC (Ab-15) rabbit polyclonal with antibodies raised in different species (mouse, goat, etc.)
Use species-specific secondary antibodies with distinct fluorophores
Sequential immunostaining:
For antibodies from the same species, consider sequential detection with complete elution between rounds
Document order effects by alternating the sequence in control experiments
Chromatic separation:
Use fluorophores with minimal spectral overlap
Include single-stained controls for spectral unmixing
Complementary target selection:
Pair HIST1H2BC with other histones or chromatin-associated proteins
Include markers for specific cellular contexts (proliferation, differentiation, stress)
Technical considerations:
Start with validated individual staining protocols before combining
Assess for antibody cross-reactivity in the multiplexed format
Consider tyramide signal amplification for weak signals
Optimize fixation to preserve all target epitopes
Suggested combinations for chromatin research:
HIST1H2BC + histone modifications (H3K4me3, H3K27ac, etc.)
HIST1H2BC + chromatin remodeling factors
HIST1H2BC + transcription markers
Recent technological advances offer new opportunities for studying HIST1H2BC at the single-cell level:
CyTOF/Mass cytometry:
Conjugate HIST1H2BC (Ab-15) Antibody with rare metal isotopes
Allows simultaneous detection of 40+ proteins with minimal spillover
Particularly valuable for heterogeneous tissue analysis
Single-cell Western blot:
Apply microfluidic-based single-cell protein analysis
Can reveal cell-to-cell variation in HIST1H2BC expression
Useful for rare cell populations
Imaging mass cytometry:
Combines immunohistochemistry with mass spectrometry
Provides spatial context for HIST1H2BC expression
High multiplexing capacity for complex microenvironment analysis
Proximity ligation assay (PLA):
Detects protein-protein interactions involving HIST1H2BC
Provides information on spatial proximity (<40nm)
Can be combined with single-molecule FISH for protein-RNA associations
CODEX (CO-Detection by indEXing):
Allows for highly multiplexed imaging (40+ proteins)
DNA-barcoded antibodies with iterative visualization
Preserves tissue architecture
These technologies can provide unprecedented insights into HIST1H2BC biology at single-cell resolution, enabling new discoveries in chromatin biology and epigenetic regulation.
HIST1H2BC (Ab-15) Antibody enables investigation of several key aspects of epigenetic regulation:
Chromatin structure dynamics:
Track HIST1H2BC incorporation during cell cycle progression
Investigate its role in chromatin compaction/decompaction
Study its distribution in euchromatin versus heterochromatin regions
Histone exchange mechanisms:
Examine HIST1H2BC turnover rates in different genomic contexts
Compare with replication-independent histone variants
Investigate factors regulating HIST1H2BC deposition and removal
Disease-specific alterations:
Therapeutic targeting:
Study how epigenetic drugs affect HIST1H2BC incorporation and modifications
Explore correlations between treatment response and HIST1H2BC status
Assess potential of HIST1H2BC as a biomarker for epigenetic therapy response
Developmental programming:
Track changes in HIST1H2BC dynamics during cellular differentiation
Investigate its role in establishing and maintaining cell type-specific gene expression
Study inheritance patterns of HIST1H2BC-associated chromatin states
The antibody provides a valuable tool for interrogating these complex epigenetic mechanisms across diverse biological contexts.