LRRC39 localizes to the M-band of cardiac and skeletal muscle sarcomeres, where it:
Interacts with myosin heavy chains (e.g., MYH7) to stabilize thick filament organization .
Modulates biomechanical stress responses by regulating stretch-sensitive genes (e.g., GDF15, BNP) .
Controls expression of M-band proteins (myomesin-1, myomesin-2) through serum response factor (SRF)-dependent transcription .
Mechanical stretch in cardiomyocytes reduced LRRC39 mRNA (-78%, P<0.001) and upregulated BNP (6.3-fold) and GDF15 (5.7-fold) .
Transverse aortic constriction in mice decreased cardiac LRRC39 expression (P<0.001), linking it to pathological remodeling .
LRRC39 antibodies are used to:
Investigate M-band assembly and sarcomere integrity in cardiac and skeletal muscle.
Study biomechanical stress signaling pathways involving SRF and stretch-responsive genes.
Model cardiomyopathies and heart failure in in vitro and in vivo systems .
LRRC39 is a component of the sarcomeric M-band that plays a crucial role in myocyte response to biomechanical stress. It may regulate expression of other M-band proteins via an SRF-dependent pathway and is important for normal contractile function in the heart .
The significance of LRRC39 stems from its involvement in the sarcomeric M-band, which, similar to the Z-disc, has been recognized as a hub for signaling pathways mediating diverse cellular processes including cell growth, differentiation, protein turnover, and gene expression . Beyond mechanical function, M-band proteins like LRRC39 are implicated in mechanotransduction pathways that convert structural and mechanical demands to gene transcription.
Based on the search results, there are several types of LRRC39 antibodies available:
| Antibody Type | Host Species | Applications | Product Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monoclonal | Mouse | Western Blot (1:2000) | NBP202011 (OTI2D9) |
| Polyclonal | Rabbit | Immunohistochemistry, Western Blot | HPA077159, PA5-85022 |
These antibodies have been validated for various applications including Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, making them suitable for different experimental approaches in studying LRRC39 expression and localization .
LRRC39 antibodies are commonly used in:
Western Blot analysis: For detecting LRRC39 protein (~38.6 kDa) in tissue or cell lysates
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): For visualizing LRRC39 localization in tissue sections, particularly in skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues
Immunofluorescence (ICC-IF): For subcellular localization studies
ELISA: For quantitative detection of LRRC39 protein, similar to other protein detection methods described in comparable research
The choice of application depends on the specific research question, with Western blotting being particularly useful for protein expression studies and IHC for localization within tissues.
For optimal Western blot detection of LRRC39:
Sample preparation: Use RIPA buffer supplemented with protease inhibitors for tissue lysate preparation, similar to protocols described for other proteins
Protein loading: Load 25-50 μg of total protein per lane
Antibody dilution: Use 1:2000 dilution for monoclonal antibodies like OTI2D9 , and 1:500-1:1000 for polyclonal antibodies
Blocking: Use 2-5% non-fat milk or BSA in TBS-T (Tris-buffered saline with 0.1% Tween-20)
Incubation: Primary antibody incubation overnight at 4°C; secondary antibody (HRP-conjugated anti-mouse or anti-rabbit IgG) for 1-2 hours at room temperature
Expected band size: LRRC39 should appear at approximately 38.6 kDa
Controls: Include positive control (heart or skeletal muscle tissue) and negative control (tissue known not to express LRRC39)
Ensure uniform transfer by confirming with a protein loading control (β-actin, GAPDH) to normalize LRRC39 expression when performing quantitative analysis.
For effective immunohistochemistry using LRRC39 antibodies:
Tissue fixation: Use 4% paraformaldehyde for optimal antigen preservation
Antigen retrieval: Heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer (pH 6.0) is recommended
Blocking: 5-10% normal serum (match to secondary antibody host) with 1% BSA in PBS
Primary antibody: Use polyclonal anti-LRRC39 antibody (e.g., HPA077159) at 0.1-0.5 μg/ml concentration
Incubation time: Overnight at 4°C for primary antibody
Detection system: Biotin-streptavidin or polymer-based detection systems
Counterstaining: Hematoxylin for nuclear visualization
Positive controls: Include heart and skeletal muscle tissues which show high LRRC39 expression
Negative controls: Include liver tissue and antibody omission controls
For co-localization studies with other sarcomeric proteins, include double immunostaining with M-band markers like myomesin to confirm specificity of LRRC39 localization at the M-band.
To ensure antibody specificity:
Multiple antibody validation: Compare staining patterns using at least two different antibodies targeting different epitopes of LRRC39
Peptide competition assay: Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide (e.g., PEFIGRFQNL IVLDLSRNTI SEIPPGIGLL TRLQELILSY NKIKTVPKEL SNCASLEKLE LAVNRDICDL PQELSNLL for some LRRC39 antibodies)
Knockout/knockdown controls: Use LRRC39 gene knockdown samples as negative controls
Recombinant protein: Test antibody against purified recombinant LRRC39 protein
Cross-reactivity testing: Test in multiple species if claiming cross-reactivity (human, mouse, rat)
Expression pattern correlation: Compare antibody staining with known tissue expression patterns of LRRC39 (high in heart and skeletal muscle, low in other tissues)
Correlation with RNA expression: Compare protein detection with LRRC39 RNA-seq data in the same tissues
Proper validation is critical for ensuring reliable experimental results and avoiding false positives or negatives in your research.
To investigate LRRC39's role in mechanotransduction:
Mechanical stress models:
Use cyclic stretch apparatus for cultured cardiomyocytes
Apply pressure overload via transverse aortic constriction in mouse models
Utilize engineered heart tissues with controlled mechanical loading
LRRC39 manipulation strategies:
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout or knockin
siRNA knockdown approach
Adenoviral overexpression of wild-type or mutant LRRC39
Downstream signaling analysis:
Protein-protein interaction studies:
Co-immunoprecipitation with other M-band proteins
Proximity ligation assays to confirm in situ interactions
FRET-based approaches for real-time interaction monitoring
Functional readouts:
Sarcomere organization analysis by super-resolution microscopy
Contractile performance measurements (force generation)
Ca2+ handling assessment
This experimental approach would provide comprehensive insights into LRRC39's mechanotransduction function, similar to studies conducted for other M-band proteins .
While primarily a research question, therapeutic antibody development against LRRC39 would require:
Target accessibility assessment:
Determine if LRRC39 has extracellular domains or if intracellular delivery systems are needed
Identify accessible epitopes in the protein structure
Antibody engineering approaches:
Delivery challenges:
Address cardiomyocyte-specific delivery mechanisms
Consider the blood-cardiac barrier penetration strategies
Evaluate stability and half-life in circulation
Functional modulation:
Safety considerations:
Evaluate off-target effects in other LRRC-containing proteins
Assess cardiac functional impact in pre-clinical models
Consider compensatory mechanisms that might emerge
Development would need to follow principles similar to those outlined for therapeutic antibody development, applying robust DOE approaches for optimization of conjugation and formulation parameters .
Recent advances in antibody-specific language models (LMs) can be applied to LRRC39 antibody research:
Understanding germline bias:
Utilizing advanced LMs for antibody design:
Experimental validation pipeline:
Generate a panel of predicted LRRC39 antibody variants
Screen for improved binding affinity, specificity, and stability
Validate improvements with multiple assay formats
Data analysis considerations:
Account for model biases when interpreting predictions
Combine computational predictions with experimental affinity data
Use iterative design-build-test cycles for optimization
This approach leverages computational tools like AbLang-2 that have improved capacity to suggest diverse and valid amino acid substitutions for antibody optimization .
Common pitfalls and solutions include:
| Problem | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| No signal in Western blot | Insufficient protein loading; Degraded sample; Incorrect antibody dilution | Increase protein amount; Add fresh protease inhibitors; Optimize antibody concentration |
| Multiple bands in Western blot | Non-specific binding; Protein degradation; Cross-reactivity | Increase blocking; Use fresh samples; Try different antibody clone |
| High background in IHC | Insufficient blocking; Too high antibody concentration; Endogenous peroxidase activity | Increase blocking time/concentration; Dilute antibody; Add peroxidase quenching step |
| Inconsistent staining in tissue sections | Uneven fixation; Variable antibody penetration; Tissue heterogeneity | Standardize fixation protocol; Optimize incubation conditions; Increase sample size |
| Discrepancy between antibody signal and RNA expression | Post-transcriptional regulation; Antibody specificity issues; Sample variation | Compare with multiple antibodies; Validate with other methods; Consider biological variability |
When troubleshooting, follow a systematic approach by changing one variable at a time and including appropriate controls with each experiment.
When faced with conflicting results:
Epitope analysis:
Determine if antibodies recognize different epitopes of LRRC39
Consider potential epitope masking due to protein interactions or post-translational modifications
Validation assessment:
Review validation data for each antibody
Check specificity using knockout controls or peptide competition assays
Evaluate literature reports of antibody performance
Methodology differences:
Consider if differences arise from sample preparation methods
Evaluate fixation, antigen retrieval, or blocking protocols
Standardize protocols across antibodies when possible
Biological interpretations:
Consider if results reflect different isoforms or post-translational modifications
Evaluate if conflicting results occur in specific tissues or conditions
Determine if developmental stages affect antibody binding patterns
Resolution approaches:
Use non-antibody based methods (MS/MS, RNA-seq) for validation
Employ additional antibodies from different sources
Design definitive experiments focusing on the specific conflict
By systematically evaluating these factors, researchers can resolve conflicts and determine which antibody results most accurately reflect biological reality.
For accurate quantification:
Western blot quantification:
Use graduated standard curves with recombinant LRRC39 protein
Apply digital image analysis software (ImageJ, Image Lab)
Normalize to appropriate loading controls (GAPDH, β-actin)
Include linear dynamic range controls
ELISA-based quantification:
Develop sandwich ELISA using capture and detection antibodies against different LRRC39 epitopes
Create standard curves using recombinant LRRC39 (R² values ≥0.97)
Process samples similar to protocols described for other proteins (e.g., sonication in RIPA buffer with protease inhibitors)
Perform at least triplicate measurements
Immunohistochemistry quantification:
Use digital pathology approaches with machine learning algorithms
Apply H-score or Allred scoring systems for semi-quantitative analysis
Include reference standards on each slide
Validate through correlation with other quantification methods
RT-qPCR correlation:
Compare protein quantification with mRNA levels
Account for potential post-transcriptional regulation
Consider differences between transcriptional and translational regulation
For all methods, ensure biological replicates (n≥3) and technical replicates to ensure statistical robustness of quantification data.
Emerging applications include:
Single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF):
Conjugate LRRC39 antibodies with rare earth metals
Combine with other cardiac markers for comprehensive phenotyping
Analyze heterogeneity in LRRC39 expression across cardiomyocyte subpopulations
Imaging mass cytometry:
Apply metal-tagged LRRC39 antibodies to tissue sections
Maintain spatial context while achieving single-cell resolution
Correlate LRRC39 expression with tissue microenvironment
Single-cell Western blotting:
Adapt LRRC39 antibody protocols to microfluidic single-cell Western platforms
Quantify protein expression heterogeneity in isolated cardiomyocytes
Correlate with functional parameters at single-cell level
Spatial transcriptomics integration:
Combine LRRC39 immunofluorescence with spatial transcriptomics
Correlate protein expression with transcriptional profiles
Map LRRC39 expression in relation to pathological tissue regions
These approaches would enable researchers to understand the heterogeneity of LRRC39 expression and function at unprecedented resolution in normal and diseased cardiac tissues.
LRRC39 antibodies could advance cardiac disease research through:
Cardiomyopathy biomarker development:
Assess LRRC39 expression changes in different cardiomyopathies
Evaluate serum/plasma LRRC39 levels in heart failure patients
Correlate with disease progression and treatment response
Sarcomeric remodeling analysis:
Track LRRC39 localization changes during pathological remodeling
Evaluate co-localization with other M-band proteins in disease states
Assess sarcomeric integrity in various cardiac pathologies
Mechanotransduction pathway investigation:
Therapeutic target validation:
Use antibodies to identify functional domains for drug targeting
Develop blocking antibodies to modulate LRRC39 function
Screen for small molecules that mimic or enhance antibody effects
Genetic cardiomyopathy models:
Characterize LRRC39 expression and localization in genetic cardiomyopathy models
Correlate with functional parameters and disease progression
Identify potential compensatory mechanisms
These applications could reveal LRRC39's role in cardiac pathophysiology and potentially identify new therapeutic strategies for heart disease.
Advanced imaging with LRRC39 antibodies offers several opportunities:
Super-resolution microscopy:
Apply STORM or PALM techniques with fluorophore-conjugated LRRC39 antibodies
Achieve 10-20 nm resolution of sarcomeric structures
Precisely map LRRC39 location within the M-band architecture
Live-cell imaging approaches:
Develop cell-permeable LRRC39 antibody fragments
Track dynamic changes in LRRC39 localization during contraction cycles
Monitor real-time responses to mechanical stress
Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM):
Combine immunofluorescence of LRRC39 with electron microscopy
Correlate protein localization with ultrastructural features
Achieve molecular resolution within structural context
Expansion microscopy:
Apply physical tissue expansion techniques with LRRC39 immunolabeling
Enhance visualization of nanoscale protein distribution
Resolve closely associated proteins within sarcomeric structures
Intravital imaging:
Develop methods for in vivo tracking of LRRC39 in animal models
Monitor dynamic changes during cardiac remodeling
Correlate with functional cardiac parameters
These imaging approaches would provide unprecedented insights into LRRC39's structural organization and dynamic behavior in normal and pathological conditions.