LEO1 (RNA polymerase-associated protein LEO1) is a core component of the PAF1 complex (PAF1C), critical for transcription elongation, chromatin modification, and DNA repair . LEO1 antibodies are polyclonal rabbit-derived tools used to study this protein’s functions across species (human, mouse, rat) . These antibodies enable detection and analysis of LEO1 in research contexts, including Western Blot (WB), Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Immunoprecipitation (IP), and ELISA .
Tissue Validation: Human colon, mouse renal cell carcinoma .
Antigen Retrieval: TE buffer (pH 9.0) or citrate buffer (pH 6.0) .
CSB Interaction: LEO1 binds the C-terminal region of CSB, facilitating recruitment to transcription-blocking DNA damage sites (e.g., UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) .
Genotoxin Sensitivity: LEO1 deficiency increases sensitivity to UVC and cisplatin, impairing RNA synthesis recovery and CPD excision .
PAF1C Complex: LEO1, alongside PAF1, regulates RNA Pol II degradation post-DNA damage via interactions with Ela1 .
Epigenetic Regulation: Mediates histone modifications (H2B ubiquitination, H3K4 methylation) and chromatin dynamics .
Leukemogenesis: Collaborates with KMT2A/MLL1 rearrangements to promote oncogenesis .
Aging Pathways: Links epigenetic dysregulation to Cockayne syndrome-like phenotypes .
Validation requires parallel techniques to confirm target engagement. For WB, compare results across cell lines (e.g., HeLa, Jurkat) and tissues (mouse brain, human placenta) using knockdown controls . Proteintech’s polyclonal antibody (12281-1-AP) shows consistent reactivity at 105 kDa in WB across seven tissue types, but researchers should include siRNA-mediated LEO1 silencing to confirm band specificity . For IHC, antigen retrieval with TE buffer (pH 9.0) improves signal clarity in human colon tissues, while citrate buffer (pH 6.0) serves as an alternative .
| Application | Validated Models | Optimal Dilution | Observed MW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | HeLa, HL-60, mouse brain | 1:500–1:2400 | 105 kDa |
| IHC | Human colon tissue | 1:50–1:500 | N/A |
| Immunofluorescence | HeLa cells | 1:10–1:100 | N/A |
Dilution ranges depend on target abundance and detection system sensitivity. For low-abundance nuclear targets like LEO1, higher concentrations (1:50 for IHC) are recommended . In Drosophila S2 cells, a 1:500 dilution of HA-tagged Leo1 antibody enabled ChIP-grade specificity without off-target binding . Titration curves should include a negative control (e.g., LEO1-knockout cells) to identify nonspecific signals.
The 105 kDa observed MW (vs. 75 kDa predicted) arises from post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation or ubiquitination . To confirm, treat lysates with phosphatases (e.g., λ-PPase) and re-run WB. Alternatively, use mutagenesis to modify putative PTM sites in LEO1 and compare migration patterns.
The PAF1C’s interaction with Myc provides a model for studying transcriptional recruitment:
Proximity-Ligation Assay (PLA): Detect Leo1-Myc interactions in fixed nuclei using HA-tagged Leo1 and endogenous Myc antibodies .
Re-ChIP Sequencing: Sequential immunoprecipitation of chromatin with anti-HA (Leo1) and anti-Myc antibodies identifies co-occupied promoters .
CRISPR-Cas9 Knockdown: Depleting Leo1 reduces Myc binding at promoter-associated E-boxes by 18%, quantified via ChIP-qPCR .
| Metric | Myc-Activated Genes | Myc-Repressed Genes |
|---|---|---|
| Median expression change (-Leo1) | 146% (vs. 176%) | 77% (vs. 57%) |
While LEO1 is primarily nuclear, cytoplasmic signals in IHC may arise from nonspecific binding or epitope exposure artifacts. To troubleshoot:
Use detergent-based permeabilization (0.5% Triton X-100) for nuclear-specific staining.
Validate with cytoplasmic-nuclear fractionation followed by WB .
Cross-reactivity with secondary antibodies limits multiplex IHC/IF. Solutions include: