Target: LPAR6 (UniProt ID: P43657), a 344-amino acid transmembrane receptor that binds lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and regulates downstream signaling via Gα12/13-RhoA pathways .
Conjugation: Biotinylation enables high-sensitivity detection through streptavidin-linked enzymes or fluorescent probes .
ELISA: Detects soluble LPAR6 in cell lysates or serum with high specificity .
Western Blot: Identifies LPAR6 at ~39 kDa in membrane protein extracts .
Immunohistochemistry: Localizes LPAR6 in human skin, hair follicles, and immune cells .
Coating: Immobilize sample on a streptavidin-precoated plate.
Detection: Incubate with Biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody (1:1,000 dilution).
Signal Amplification: Add horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-streptavidin.
Quantification: Measure absorbance at 450 nm after substrate addition .
Immune Regulation: Suppresses T-cell chemotaxis via RhoA-mediated actin remodeling, impacting antitumor responses .
Developmental Roles: Critical for hair follicle integrity; mutations cause hypotrichosis .
Signaling Pathways: Binds oleoyl-L-alpha-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to modulate cAMP and RhoA .
LPAR6 (Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor 6) is a protein belonging to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family. In humans, this protein has a canonical length of 344 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of approximately 39.4 kDa . LPAR6 binds to oleoyl-L-alpha-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and is involved in intracellular cAMP signaling .
Biologically, LPAR6 plays critical roles in:
Maintenance of hair growth and texture
Cell membrane signaling processes
Cancer development, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Immune system function, including T cell activity regulation
The gene is also known by several synonyms, including HYPT8, LAH3, LPA-6, P2RY5, and P2Y5, which may appear in literature under different research contexts .
LPAR6 Antibody, Biotin conjugated is typically a rabbit polyclonal antibody that has been chemically linked to biotin molecules. Its key characteristics include:
Clonality: Polyclonal (recognizes multiple epitopes on the target antigen)
Conjugation: Biotin, which enables detection through high-affinity binding to streptavidin or avidin systems
Target region: Often directed against specific amino acid sequences, such as AA 292-313 in the human LPAR6 protein
Purity: Generally >95%, purified by protein G chromatography
Storage buffer: Typically preserved in PBS (pH 7.4) with proclin-300 and glycerol
The antibody is designed to recognize specific epitopes on the LPAR6 protein with high specificity and sensitivity for research applications.
The biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody has several validated research applications:
The biotin conjugation specifically enhances sensitivity through amplification systems using avidin/streptavidin-HRP complexes, allowing for efficient detection of low-abundance LPAR6 protein in experimental samples . This configuration is particularly advantageous for tissue staining applications where signal amplification is beneficial.
LPAR6 plays a significant role in cancer progression, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Research methodologies employing biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies can effectively:
Quantify LPAR6 overexpression: Studies have demonstrated that LPAR6 overexpression in HCC specimens correlates with poor patient survival . Using biotin-conjugated antibodies in immunohistochemistry applications allows researchers to quantitatively assess LPAR6 expression levels in tumor samples compared to normal tissues.
Investigate downstream signaling components: Research has identified that LPAR6 activates STAT3-dependent mechanisms leading to upregulation of Pim-3, a relevant target gene in HCC tumorigenesis . Biotin-conjugated antibodies can be employed in co-immunoprecipitation studies followed by protein complex detection to map these interactions.
Evaluate experimental therapeutic interventions: When testing LPA signaling inhibitors, biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies can monitor receptor downregulation or internalization using immunofluorescence approaches.
Correlate LPAR6 expression with clinical parameters: Using biotin-conjugated antibodies in tissue microarray analyses allows high-throughput screening of LPAR6 expression across multiple patient samples to establish correlations with tumor grade, proliferation rates, and survival outcomes .
Methodologically, these applications often employ a streptavidin-biotin amplification system to enhance detection sensitivity, making biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies particularly valuable for detecting subtle changes in receptor expression or localization.
Dual immunofluorescence involving biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody presents several technical challenges that researchers must address:
Endogenous biotin interference: Tissues often contain endogenous biotin which can cause high background signals. Methodological solution: Include a biotin blocking step using avidin followed by biotin blocking reagents prior to antibody application.
Cross-reactivity with other primary antibodies: When conducting dual labeling, potential cross-reactivity between antibodies must be considered. Methodological approach: Sequential rather than simultaneous incubation may be necessary, with the LPAR6 biotin-conjugated antibody typically applied first, followed by thorough washing before the second primary antibody.
Signal amplification balance: Biotin-streptavidin systems provide significant amplification which may overwhelm other fluorescence signals. Optimization strategy: Titration experiments should be conducted to determine the optimal concentration of biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody (typically starting at 1:50-1:200 dilutions) .
Spectral overlap: When selecting fluorophores for detection of the biotin-streptavidin complex, consider potential spectral overlap with other fluorescent markers. Solution: Choose streptavidin conjugates with fluorophores spectrally distant from other markers in the experiment.
Tissue autofluorescence: Particularly in liver and brain tissues where LPAR6 research is common, autofluorescence can interfere with specific signals. Mitigation approach: Include Sudan Black B (0.1-0.3%) treatment post-fixation to reduce lipofuscin-related autofluorescence.
A systematic optimization protocol should include antibody dilution series (1:50, 1:100, 1:200) , varied incubation times (1-18 hours), and comparison of different streptavidin-fluorophore conjugates to achieve optimal signal-to-noise ratio.
Integration of biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies with advanced proteomics approaches offers powerful strategies for discovering novel interaction partners:
Co-immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry: Biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies can be used to pull down LPAR6 along with its interaction partners from cell lysates. The biotin tag allows efficient capture on streptavidin beads, followed by mass spectrometry analysis to identify the co-precipitated proteins. This approach can reveal transient or weak interactions not detectable by traditional methods .
Proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID): By fusing a promiscuous biotin ligase (BirA*) to LPAR6, proteins in close proximity become biotinylated. These can then be captured using streptavidin and identified by mass spectrometry. The biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody serves as a control to validate the expression and localization of the fusion protein .
Crosslinking mass spectrometry (XL-MS): Chemical crosslinking of LPAR6 with its interaction partners, followed by enrichment using biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies and mass spectrometry analysis, can provide structural insights into protein complexes involving LPAR6.
SILAC-based quantitative proteomics: As demonstrated in research on LPA-binding proteins, SILAC (stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture) combined with biotin-conjugated antibody enrichment allows quantitative assessment of binding affinities between LPAR6 and potential interaction partners .
An example protocol employing this integration includes:
Cell lysis in mild detergent buffer (1% NP-40, 150 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5)
Pre-clearing lysates with protein G beads
Incubation with biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody (5-10 μg per mg of lysate)
Capture with streptavidin-coated magnetic beads
Rigorous washing (including high salt and detergent washes)
On-bead tryptic digestion
LC-MS/MS analysis
Data filtering using appropriate statistical approaches to identify high-confidence interaction partners
This integrated approach has successfully identified 86 candidate LPA-binding proteins in HEK293T cells , demonstrating the power of combining antibody-based enrichment with proteomics technologies.
The following protocol represents an optimized methodology for using biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody in FFPE tissues:
Materials required:
Biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody
Streptavidin-HRP conjugate
DAB substrate kit
Antigen retrieval buffer (citrate buffer pH 6.0 or EDTA buffer pH 9.0)
Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
Normal serum (from same species as secondary antibody)
PBS with 0.1% Tween-20 (PBST)
Hematoxylin (for counterstaining)
Protocol:
Deparaffinization and rehydration:
Incubate slides at 60°C for 1 hour
Process through xylene (3 × 5 minutes) and graded alcohols (100%, 95%, 70%)
Rinse in distilled water
Antigen retrieval:
Heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer (pH 6.0) at 95-98°C for 20 minutes
Allow to cool to room temperature (approximately 20 minutes)
Rinse in PBST (3 × 5 minutes)
Endogenous peroxidase and biotin blocking:
Block endogenous peroxidase with 3% H₂O₂ in methanol for 10 minutes
Rinse in PBST (3 × 5 minutes)
Apply avidin solution for 15 minutes
Rinse briefly with PBST
Apply biotin solution for 15 minutes
Rinse in PBST (3 × 5 minutes)
Protein blocking:
Block with 5% normal serum in PBST for 1 hour at room temperature
Drain blocking solution (do not rinse)
Primary antibody incubation:
Streptavidin-HRP incubation:
Apply streptavidin-HRP conjugate (1:100-1:500 dilution)
Incubate for 30 minutes at room temperature
Rinse in PBST (3 × 5 minutes)
Visualization:
Apply DAB substrate solution for 5-10 minutes (monitor microscopically)
Rinse in distilled water
Counterstaining and mounting:
Counterstain with hematoxylin for 30 seconds
Rinse in running tap water
Dehydrate through graded alcohols and clear in xylene
Mount with permanent mounting medium
Critical optimization parameters:
Antibody dilution should be determined empirically for each lot and tissue type
Antigen retrieval conditions may need adjustment based on fixation time
Incubation time can be extended to 48 hours for detection of low abundance targets
For dual staining applications, complete this protocol first, then apply a different detection system for the second primary antibody
As noted in the literature, this method has been effectively used in studies validating the connection between LPAR6 overexpression and PIM-3 in hepatocellular carcinoma specimens .
Detecting low abundance membrane proteins like LPAR6 requires specific optimizations when using biotin-conjugated antibodies in Western blot applications:
Optimized Protocol:
Sample preparation:
Extract total membrane proteins using a specialized membrane protein extraction kit
Add protease inhibitor cocktail immediately after cell lysis
For LPAR6 enrichment, consider using ConA-sepharose to pre-enrich glycosylated membrane proteins
Protein quantification and loading:
Load 50-80 μg of total protein per lane (higher than standard 20-30 μg)
Include positive control lysates from cells with confirmed LPAR6 overexpression
Gel electrophoresis:
Transfer optimization:
Use PVDF membrane (0.2 μm pore size) instead of nitrocellulose
Transfer at 30V overnight at 4°C for better transfer of hydrophobic membrane proteins
Verify transfer efficiency with reversible protein stain
Blocking:
Block with 5% BSA in TBST (not milk, which contains biotin)
Include 0.05% SDS in blocking buffer to enhance accessibility of epitopes
Primary antibody incubation:
Detection system:
Use high-sensitivity streptavidin-HRP conjugate (1:2000-1:5000)
Incubate for 1 hour at room temperature
Wash extensively (5 × 5 minutes with TBST)
Signal development:
Use enhanced chemiluminescence substrate formulated for low abundance proteins
Extend exposure times incrementally (30 seconds to 10 minutes)
Consider using a digital imager with cooling capabilities for long exposures
Troubleshooting low signal issues:
If no signal is detected, perform dot blot analysis to confirm antibody binding activity
Consider including a deglycosylation step if glycosylation shields epitope recognition
Test membrane stripping and reprobing with a different LPAR6 antibody targeting a different epitope to confirm results
This optimized protocol has been validated for detecting LPAR6 in various mammalian cell lines and tissues including human, mouse, rat, and other species with high sequence homology to the target epitope .
Flow cytometry experiments using biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody require comprehensive controls to ensure reliable and interpretable data:
Essential Controls:
Unstained cells control:
Purpose: Establishes baseline autofluorescence of the cell population
Implementation: Process cells through all steps except antibody incubation
Isotype control:
Purpose: Detects non-specific binding of the antibody's constant region
Implementation: Use biotin-conjugated rabbit IgG at the same concentration as the LPAR6 antibody
Interpretation: Signal from test samples should be significantly higher than isotype control
Streptavidin-only control:
Purpose: Identifies potential direct binding of streptavidin-fluorophore to cells
Implementation: Omit primary antibody but include streptavidin-fluorophore step
Cells with known LPAR6 expression levels:
FMO (Fluorescence Minus One) controls:
Purpose: Essential for multicolor panels to set proper gating boundaries
Implementation: Include all fluorochromes except the one conjugated to streptavidin
Biological controls:
LPAR6 knockdown/knockout cells: Demonstrates antibody specificity
LPA-stimulated cells: Shows dynamic range of detection if receptor internalization occurs
Technical controls:
Titration series: Test multiple dilutions of the biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio
Blocking control: Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide to confirm specificity
Data Analysis Considerations:
Report median fluorescence intensity (MFI) rather than percent positive, particularly for receptors like LPAR6 that may have variable expression levels
Calculate signal-to-noise ratio by dividing the MFI of the sample by the MFI of the isotype control
For quantitative applications, include calibration beads to convert arbitrary fluorescence units to antibody binding capacity (ABC)
This comprehensive control strategy has been validated in studies examining T cell function modulation by LPA signaling, where precise quantification of receptor expression was critical for interpreting functional outcomes .
Biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies have played a crucial role in elucidating the mechanisms through which LPAR6 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma development:
Expression profiling and prognostic significance:
Research using biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies in immunohistochemical analyses has demonstrated that LPAR6 is significantly overexpressed in HCC specimens compared to adjacent non-tumorous tissues
Studies of 128 HCC patients revealed that high LPAR6 expression correlates with poor survival outcomes
The biotin-conjugation allowed for sensitive detection and quantification of expression levels across tissue microarrays
Molecular mechanism identification:
LPAR6 was found to upregulate Pim-3 (a serine/threonine kinase) through a STAT3-dependent mechanism
Using biotin-conjugated antibodies in chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments helped establish this transcriptional regulatory relationship
The pathway was further validated through co-expression analysis in clinical specimens
Functional validation in tumor models:
Studies employing biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies for detection in xenograft experiments demonstrated that RNAi-mediated attenuation of LPAR6 impaired HCC tumorigenicity in vivo
Immunohistochemical analysis of xenograft tissues using biotin-conjugated antibodies showed reduced proliferation markers in LPAR6-depleted tumors
Therapeutic target evaluation:
The characterization of LPAR6 as a tumor-promoting factor using biotin-conjugated antibody detection methods has positioned it as a potential therapeutic target
Monitoring LPAR6 expression levels in response to experimental therapies has provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of drug efficacy
These findings collectively establish LPAR6 as both a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in HCC, with biotin-conjugated antibodies serving as essential tools in this research .
LPAR6 has emerged as a significant modulator of T cell function, with antibody-based detection methods revealing critical insights into immune regulation:
Impact on immune synapse formation:
Research using immunofluorescence techniques with LPAR6 antibodies has demonstrated that LPA signaling through LPAR6 disrupts the formation of the immune synapse between CD8+ T cells and their target cells . Specifically:
LPA impairs the localization of IP3R1 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1) to the immune synapse
Cytoskeletal rearrangements necessary for effective T cell function are disrupted
Both actin polymerization and microtubule detyrosination are negatively affected
Mechanism of immune suppression:
Antibody-based intracellular staining protocols have revealed that LPA alters RhoA activity beyond optimal TCR-induced levels :
LPA causes an increase in early RhoA activity that exceeds TCR-induced RhoA activation
This disrupts the precise balance of RhoA activity required for mDia1 and IFNγ localization
The end result is reduced calcium store release and impaired directed cytokine release
Impact on cytokine production and release:
Using flow cytometry with intracellular cytokine staining, researchers demonstrated that:
LPA signaling through LPAR6 impairs TCR-induced IL-2 and IFNγ secretion
The mechanism involves altered calcium signaling downstream of TCR activation
These effects contribute to immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment
Therapeutic implications:
The characterization of LPAR6's role in T cell function suggests potential immunotherapeutic applications:
Targeting LPAR6 may enhance anti-tumor T cell responses
Modulating LPA levels in the tumor microenvironment could potentially overcome immunosuppression
Monitoring LPAR6 expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes may provide prognostic information
These findings highlight the importance of LPAR6 in regulating immune responses and suggest that targeting this pathway may have implications for cancer immunotherapy strategies .
The integration of chemical proteomic profiling with LPAR6 antibody detection represents a powerful approach for discovering novel LPA-binding proteins:
LPA probe-based proteome labeling strategy:
Researchers have developed desthiobiotin-conjugated LPA acyl phosphate probes that covalently label LPA-binding proteins . This approach:
Utilizes an LPA-affinity probe with three components: LPA (targeting the binding pocket), desthiobiotin (for enrichment), and a linker
Enables proteome-wide identification of proteins that interact with LPA
Has successfully identified 939 putative LPA-binding proteins from two different cell lines
SILAC-based quantitative workflow:
By combining stable isotope labeling with LPA probe concentrations, researchers can differentiate specific from non-specific interactions :
Low (10 μM) and high (100 μM) concentrations of LPA probe react with light- and heavy-labeled cell lysates
Relative binding affinities (RLPA10/1) are calculated to identify proteins with specific LPA-binding capabilities
This approach identified 86 proteins with highly selective interactions with LPA
Validation using LPAR6 antibodies:
After identifying candidate LPA-binding proteins through chemical proteomics, biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibodies can be employed to:
Confirm co-localization of identified proteins with LPAR6 through dual immunofluorescence
Validate protein-protein interactions through co-immunoprecipitation experiments
Assess competitive binding between LPA and the newly identified proteins using proximity ligation assays
Application to other phospholipid-binding proteins:
The researchers note that this methodology can be adapted for studying other lipid-binding proteins at the proteome-wide scale :
Similar acyl phosphate probes can be designed for phospholipids carrying terminal phosphate groups
Integration with antibody-based detection methods allows for comprehensive validation
This approach overcomes limitations of traditional methods in identifying transient or weak interactions
This integrated approach represents a significant advancement in our ability to map the complete interactome of LPA signaling networks, with important implications for understanding LPAR6 function in various biological contexts .
Investigating LPAR6-containing membrane protein complexes using biotin-conjugated antibodies presents several technical challenges that researchers have developed solutions to address:
1. Membrane protein solubilization challenges:
2. Epitope accessibility issues:
| Challenge | Solution | Methodological Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden epitopes in complex structures | Epitope exposure strategies | Mild denaturation using 0.1% SDS followed by dilution before antibody application |
| Post-translational modifications blocking recognition | Enzymatic treatments | Selective deglycosylation with PNGase F or neuraminidase for glycosylated LPAR6 forms |
| Conformational epitopes disruption | Native condition preservation | Blue native PAGE followed by Western blotting with biotin-conjugated antibodies |
3. Detection sensitivity limitations:
| Challenge | Solution | Methodological Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Low abundance of LPAR6 complexes | Signal amplification | Implementation of tyramide signal amplification (TSA) after streptavidin-HRP binding |
| High background in complex samples | Sequential purification | Tandem purification using anti-LPAR6 immunoprecipitation followed by biotin-binding protein capture |
| Distinguishing specific from non-specific interactions | Quantitative approaches | SILAC or TMT labeling combined with competition assays using unlabeled LPA |
4. Validation of complex components:
| Challenge | Solution | Methodological Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Confirming direct interactions | Proximity analysis | Application of proximity ligation assay (PLA) using biotin-conjugated LPAR6 antibody paired with antibodies against candidate interactors |
| Determining interaction sites | Mutagenesis analysis | Targeted mutation of putative interaction domains followed by co-immunoprecipitation with biotin-conjugated antibodies |
| Functional relevance of interactions | Activity assays | Correlation of complex formation with downstream signaling events using phospho-specific antibodies |
These methodological refinements have enabled researchers to characterize LPAR6-containing protein complexes in various cellular contexts, significantly advancing our understanding of LPA signaling networks and identifying potential therapeutic targets in conditions where these pathways are dysregulated.