IQCG antibodies are polyclonal reagents primarily derived from rabbit hosts. They are designed to target specific regions of the IQCG protein, enabling applications such as Western blotting (WB), immunocytochemistry (ICC), and immunofluorescence (IF). Key providers and their validated antibodies include:
| Provider | Catalog Number | Host | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abcam | ab223041 | Rabbit | WB, ICC/IF |
| Cusabio Biotech Co., Ltd | CSB-PA867116LA01HU | Rabbit | WB, ELISA, ICC |
| Biorbyt | orb46551 | Rabbit | WB, ELISA, ICC |
| Invitrogen Antibodies | PA5-113357 | Rabbit | WB, ELISA, ICC |
These antibodies are validated for reactivity with human and mouse samples, with immunogens often corresponding to recombinant fragments of human IQCG (e.g., amino acids 1–150) .
IQCG is a component of the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), critical for maintaining axonemal integrity in motile cilia and flagella. Key findings include:
Sperm Flagellum Formation: IQCG knockout (KO) mice exhibit male sterility due to disorganized axonemal "9+2" microtubule structures in sperm flagella, leading to immobility .
Calmodulin Interaction: IQCG binds calmodulin under low calcium conditions, modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CAMK4) signaling .
Microtubule Nucleation: Recent studies identify IQCG as a centrosomal microtubule nucleation factor, essential for mitotic spindle formation .
Testis-Specific Expression: IQCG is highly enriched in murine testis, localized to spermatocytes, spermatids, and mature sperm flagella. Immunohistochemistry reveals its dynamic expression during spermatogenesis stages .
Subcellular Localization: In epididymal sperm, IQCG localizes to the flagellum and post-acrosomal region of the sperm head .
Axonemal Defects: KO models show disrupted "9+2" microtubule patterns in sperm flagella, underscoring IQCG’s structural role .
Evolutionary Adaptations: The IQCG gene exhibits accelerated evolution in humans, particularly in the N2 region, which mediates interaction with GSK3β—a kinase involved in microtubule regulation .
Specificity: Western blot analyses confirm IQCG detection at ~52 kDa in mouse heart and skeletal muscle lysates .
Cross-Reactivity: Antibodies like ab223041 show consistent reactivity across human (HepG2 cells) and mouse tissues .
Male Infertility: IQCG dysfunction is directly linked to sperm malformation, making it a potential biomarker for idiopathic male infertility .
Cancer and Immunity: While initially linked to leukemia via chromosomal translocations, recent studies focus on its role in microtubule dynamics, relevant to mitotic errors in cancer .
KEGG: dre:100322600
STRING: 7955.ENSDARP00000090196
IQCG antibodies have been validated for multiple research applications, with specific validation depending on the product. Common applications include:
Western Blot (WB): For detecting IQCG protein in cell or tissue lysates
Immunofluorescence (IF): For visualizing cellular localization of IQCG
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): For detecting IQCG in tissue sections
For example, the IQCG Polyclonal Antibody (PACO48110) has been specifically validated for ELISA, WB, and IF applications, with recommended dilutions of 1:2000-1:10000 for ELISA, 1:1000-1:5000 for WB, and 1:50-1:200 for IF .
Most commercially available IQCG antibodies show reactivity to human, mouse, and rat IQCG proteins . For example, the IQCG Polyclonal Antibody (PACO48110) has been specifically tested and confirmed to react with human and mouse IQCG . When planning experiments involving other species, it's essential to verify cross-reactivity or sequence homology to ensure the antibody will recognize your target.
For optimal Western blot results with IQCG antibodies:
Sample preparation: IQCG has been successfully detected in various tissue lysates, including mouse heart and skeletal muscle tissues .
Antibody concentration: Start with the manufacturer's recommended dilution (typically 1:1000-1:5000 for Western blotting) . If signal is weak, you may need to increase antibody concentration.
Expected band size: Be aware that IQCG may appear at different molecular weights. For example, observed band sizes of 52 kDa and 41 kDa have been reported, which align with predicted sizes .
Secondary antibody selection: For rabbit-derived primary antibodies like PACO48110, goat anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibodies (typically at 1:50000 dilution) have been used successfully .
Controls: Include positive tissue controls such as mouse heart or skeletal muscle tissue where IQCG expression has been confirmed .
When designing immunofluorescence experiments:
Fixation method: Choose appropriate fixation based on subcellular localization of IQCG. For membrane-associated proteins like IQCG, paraformaldehyde fixation is often suitable.
Antibody dilution: For IF applications, IQCG antibodies typically require higher concentrations than for Western blotting. A recommended starting range is 1:50-1:200 .
Visualization strategy: Select secondary antibodies conjugated to appropriate fluorophores based on your microscopy setup. Some IQCG antibodies are available directly conjugated to fluorophores like FITC or AbBy Fluor® dyes for direct detection .
Co-localization studies: Consider dual staining with markers for subcellular compartments to better understand IQCG localization and function within the calcium signaling pathway.
Controls: Include both positive controls (tissues known to express IQCG) and negative controls (primary antibody omission) to validate staining specificity.
For optimal storage and handling of IQCG antibodies:
Storage temperature: Most IQCG antibodies should be stored at -20°C for long-term storage.
Buffer conditions: IQCG antibodies are typically supplied in storage buffers containing glycerol (e.g., 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4 with 0.03% Proclin 300 as preservative) .
Aliquoting: To prevent freeze-thaw cycles, aliquot antibodies upon first use and store unused portions at -20°C.
Working dilutions: Diluted working solutions should be prepared fresh and used within 24 hours for optimal results.
Transportation: When transporting between labs, maintain cold chain to preserve antibody activity.
To validate IQCG antibody specificity:
Multiple antibody approach: Use different antibodies targeting distinct epitopes of IQCG to confirm staining patterns.
Comparison with mRNA expression: Correlate protein detection with IQCG mRNA expression data from publicly available databases.
Knockout/knockdown controls: If available, use IQCG knockout or knockdown samples as negative controls to confirm specificity.
Peptide competition: Pre-incubate the antibody with the immunizing peptide to confirm that the observed signal is specifically competed away.
Cross-reference with literature: Compare your results with published localization and expression patterns for IQCG.
IQCG expression has been detected in several tissues, which should inform experimental design:
Tissue selection: Strong IQCG expression has been documented in mouse heart and skeletal muscle tissues, making these appropriate positive controls for antibody validation .
Cell type specificity: When examining heterogeneous tissues, consider that IQCG expression may vary between cell types based on their calcium signaling requirements.
Developmental regulation: Consider potential differences in IQCG expression across developmental stages when designing experiments with embryonic or developing tissues.
Species differences: While IQCG antibodies often cross-react with human, mouse, and rat proteins , expression patterns may vary between species.
Pathological states: Consider how disease states might alter IQCG expression when studying pathological samples.
IQCG antibodies can be valuable tools for investigating calcium signaling:
Co-immunoprecipitation: Use IQCG antibodies to identify protein interaction partners within calcium signaling complexes.
Proximity ligation assays: Combine IQCG antibodies with antibodies against potential interacting proteins to study protein-protein interactions in situ.
Calcium imaging correlation: Correlate IQCG localization or expression levels with calcium flux using calcium imaging techniques.
Phosphorylation status: Investigate how calcium-dependent phosphorylation affects IQCG using phospho-specific antibodies in conjunction with total IQCG antibodies.
Drug response studies: Examine how calcium channel modulators affect IQCG localization or function.
When comparing results from different antibodies:
Epitope differences: Different antibodies may target distinct regions of IQCG, potentially yielding different staining patterns if certain epitopes are masked in protein complexes or by post-translational modifications.
Antibody format: Results may vary between polyclonal antibodies (which recognize multiple epitopes) and monoclonal antibodies (which recognize a single epitope) .
Validation methods: Consider how each antibody was validated by manufacturers. For example, some IQCG antibodies have been validated using recombinant human IQCG protein (amino acids 1-134) as immunogen .
Application-specific optimization: Each antibody may require different optimization for specific applications like WB versus IF.
Cross-reactivity profiles: Different antibodies may have varying cross-reactivity with IQCG from different species or with related proteins.