The MAN2B2 antibody conjugated with biotin is a specialized reagent designed for detecting the MAN2B2 protein, an alpha-mannosidase critical for lysosomal glycosylation. Biotin conjugation enables streptavidin-mediated detection in assays like ELISA and Western blotting, enhancing sensitivity and specificity. This antibody is primarily used in glycobiology research to study MAN2B2’s role in congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) and lysosomal metabolism .
Note: The antibody’s immunogen is a recombinant human MAN2B2 fragment (AA 347–523), ensuring specificity to the protein’s functional domain .
ELISA: Detects MAN2B2 in human samples with high specificity. Optimal dilutions: 1:2000–1:10000 .
Western Blot: Identifies bands at ~114–135 kDa, reflecting post-translational modifications or isoforms. Observed in HeLa, A549, and rat kidney lysates .
Tissue Staining: Validated in human thyroid tissue using citrate buffer antigen retrieval and HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies .
MAN2B2 deficiency is linked to congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), characterized by:
Immune Dysregulation: Inversion of Th/Tc ratios, elevated B cells, and impaired IgG production .
Metabolic Disruption: Altered N-glycan profiles (e.g., HexNAc(2)Hex(3) accumulation) in patient cells .
| Antibody (Catalog) | Conjugate | Target Region | Applications | Reactivity | Observed Band (kDa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABIN7151914 (Biotin) | Biotin | AA 347–523 | ELISA, WB, IHC | Human | Not reported |
| 17697-1-AP (Unconjugated) | Unconjugated | Full-length | WB, ELISA | Human, Mouse, Rat | 135 (WB) |
| PACO56250 (Unconjugated) | Unconjugated | AA 347–523 | WB, IHC, ELISA | Human | 114 (WB) |
ABIN7151914 is optimized for ELISA with biotin-streptavidin systems, while 17697-1-AP offers broader cross-reactivity for interspecies studies .
PACO56250 detects a lower molecular weight band (114 kDa), suggesting recognition of a distinct MAN2B2 isoform or proteolytic fragment .
In MAN2B2-CDG patients, mutations (e.g., p.Asp38Asn, p.Ser147del) disrupt N-glycan processing, leading to:
Immune Defects: Impaired T-cell function and antibody production .
Metabolic Abnormalities: Accumulation of HexNAc(2)Hex(3) and HexNAc(4)Hex(6) N-glycans, mimicking lysosomal storage diseases .
The biotin-conjugated antibody enables:
High-Sensitivity Detection: Critical for identifying subtle MAN2B2 expression changes in CDG diagnostics .
Therapeutic Monitoring: Post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), tracking restored MAN2B2 activity .
Antigen Preparation: Coat plates with recombinant MAN2B2 protein.
Blocking: Use 5% BSA in PBS-T.
Detection: Incubate with biotin-conjugated ABIN7151914 (1:2000–1:10000), followed by streptavidin-HRP .
MAN2B2 antibodies are primarily available with human reactivity, though some products may also target mouse and rat variants of the protein. When selecting a biotin-conjugated MAN2B2 antibody, researchers should verify species compatibility with their experimental model . Most commercially available options show strong reactivity against human MAN2B2, making them ideal for studies involving human cell lines, tissues, or clinical samples. Always confirm cross-reactivity data when working with non-human models to ensure appropriate binding specificity.
Biotin-conjugated MAN2B2 antibodies support multiple applications including ELISA, Western Blotting (WB), Immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Immunohistochemistry with paraffin-embedded samples (IHC-P) . The biotin conjugation provides versatility through streptavidin-based detection systems, enabling signal amplification through the high-affinity biotin-streptavidin interaction. This conjugation is particularly advantageous for detecting low-abundance targets in complex biological samples, offering enhanced sensitivity compared to conventional detection methods.
MAN2B2 antibodies are commonly available from rabbit and mouse hosts, with rabbit being the predominant source for polyclonal variants . When selecting a host species, consider:
Experimental design compatibility (avoiding host conflicts with secondary detection systems)
Cross-reactivity concerns with sample tissue
Intended application (some host species perform better in specific applications)
For multiplex experiments, selecting antibodies from different host species prevents cross-reactivity when using species-specific secondary antibodies. Rabbit-derived antibodies often provide advantages for immunohistochemistry applications due to their typically higher affinity and lower background.
The optimal biotin:antibody ratio represents a critical balance—excessive conjugation can compromise antigen binding while insufficient conjugation limits detection sensitivity. Based on research with other antibodies, a biotin:antibody ratio between 3:1 and 8:1 typically provides the best compromise between maintained binding affinity and sufficient detection signal . To determine the optimal ratio:
Perform titration experiments with different conjugation ratios
Test each conjugate in your specific application
Assess both signal strength and specificity
Compare conjugated vs. unconjugated antibody binding to evaluate potential activity loss
Remember that binding activity is often highest with minimal conjugation, but maximum signal strength requires sufficient biotin molecules per antibody .
A comprehensive validation approach includes:
| Validation Step | Methodology | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Conjugation confirmation | ELISA with streptavidin-HRP detection | Signal significantly above background |
| Binding activity assessment | Comparative ELISA with conjugated vs. unconjugated antibody | <25% reduction in binding capacity |
| Specificity testing | Western blot with positive and negative control samples | Single band at expected molecular weight |
| Background evaluation | Control samples without target antigen | Minimal non-specific binding |
| Functionality in application | Pilot experiment in intended application | Clear, specific signal with minimal background |
Testing both conjugated and unconjugated forms with the same detection system (e.g., anti-mouse/rabbit HRP) allows direct comparison of binding activity to evaluate conjugation effects .
Off-target interactions represent a significant challenge with conjugated antibodies. Implement these strategies to minimize non-specific binding:
Pre-adsorb antibodies against likely cross-reactive proteins or tissues
Optimize blocking conditions using protein mixtures (e.g., BSA, milk, serum)
Include carrier proteins in antibody diluents
Perform solid-phase pre-adsorption to remove antibody fractions with affinity for common experimental components
Use low-background streptavidin conjugates for detection
Research indicates that approximately 75% of antibodies that maintain functionality after conjugation may still exhibit off-target interactions that interfere with specific applications , making these optimization steps essential for reliable results.
Solid-phase conjugation through Protein A/G immobilization offers advantages for maintaining antibody functionality. For optimal results:
First immobilize MAN2B2 antibodies on Protein A beads (preferably at 4°C to maintain structure)
Wash thoroughly with biotinylation buffer (0.1 M NaHCO₃, 0.5 M NaCl, pH 8.6)
React with NHS-biotin (optimized concentration around 20 μg/ml)
Perform extensive washing to remove excess NHS-biotin
Elute with mild acid conditions (0.5% citric acid)
Immediately neutralize with Tris buffer (pH 8)
This solid-phase approach better preserves antibody function by protecting the antigen-binding regions during conjugation and allows for controlled reaction conditions . It's particularly valuable for precious antibody samples or when multiple conjugation conditions need testing.
Biotin-conjugated antibodies offer several advantages and limitations compared to alternative detection methods:
| Detection Method | Sensitivity | Specificity | Signal-to-Noise | Multiplexing Capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biotin-streptavidin | Very High | High (with optimization) | High | Moderate |
| Direct fluorophore | Moderate | High | Moderate | High |
| Enzyme direct conjugate | High | High | Moderate | Low |
| Unconjugated with secondary | High | Variable | Variable | Limited |
When encountering weak signals despite appropriate experimental design:
Verify conjugation success with direct ELISA using streptavidin-HRP
Compare binding activity between conjugated and unconjugated antibody to assess conjugation impact
Test different conjugation ratios—excessive biotin modification can reduce binding activity
Optimize antigen retrieval for tissue sections (if applicable)
Extend primary antibody incubation time (overnight at 4°C often improves binding)
Implement signal amplification through tiered streptavidin systems
Consider alternative conjugation methods if amine-reactive NHS-biotin affects binding sites
Research indicates that even antibodies well-suited for conjugation often show reduced binding activity after modification, requiring optimized conjugation parameters to maintain functionality .
The choice between polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies has significant implications:
| Consideration | Polyclonal MAN2B2 | Monoclonal MAN2B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Epitope diversity | Multiple epitopes recognized | Single epitope recognized |
| Batch-to-batch variation | Higher | Minimal |
| Sensitivity | Generally higher | More consistent |
| Specificity | Variable | Highly specific |
| Conjugation impact | Variable across epitopes | Consistent effect |
For MAN2B2 detection, polyclonal antibodies are most commonly available . They offer advantages in applications requiring high sensitivity, while monoclonal antibodies provide more consistent results across experiments. The impact of biotinylation may also be less detrimental with polyclonal antibodies, as only a subset of the antibody population might have binding activity affected by the conjugation.
To maximize conjugation efficiency while maintaining binding activity:
Analyze the antibody sequence (if available) to identify lysine residues near the antigen-binding site
Consider alternative conjugation chemistries targeting thiols or carbohydrates instead of amines
Use site-specific conjugation approaches if the antibody structure is well-characterized
Implement pre-selection strategies by testing small-scale conjugations before large-scale preparation
Apply solid-phase conjugation to protect binding regions through Protein A/G immobilization
Research demonstrates that pre-selection methods can efficiently identify antibody clones capable of withstanding conjugation while maintaining functionality, reducing the extensive work typically required to screen multiple antibody candidates .
For developing a sensitive sandwich ELISA:
Coat plates with a capture antibody recognizing a different MAN2B2 epitope than the biotinylated detection antibody
Optimize blocking conditions to minimize background (typically 1-5% BSA or commercial blockers)
Establish a standard curve using recombinant MAN2B2 protein
Use the biotin-conjugated MAN2B2 antibody at a concentration optimized through titration
Detect with high-sensitivity streptavidin-HRP systems
Consider signal amplification systems for low-abundance targets
When optimizing, test different capture-detection antibody pairs, as some combinations may show interference or competition for binding sites. Comparative testing may identify antibody pairs that improve detection limits by 4-fold or more compared to standard approaches .
For successful multiplex imaging:
Verify absence of endogenous biotin in your samples (particularly important in biotin-rich tissues)
Test for potential cross-reactivity with other primary antibodies in your panel
Select spectrally distinct fluorophore-conjugated streptavidin reagents to minimize bleed-through
Establish appropriate controls for autofluorescence and non-specific binding
Consider sequential rather than simultaneous application of multiple biotinylated antibodies
Block endogenous biotin with avidin/streptavidin before adding biotinylated antibodies
For flow cytometry applications with biotin-conjugated MAN2B2 antibodies, titration experiments are essential to determine optimal concentrations that maximize specific signal while minimizing background . Single-cell analysis techniques require particular attention to antibody specificity and background control.
Recent advances in antibody conjugation methodologies reveal distinct advantages for solid-phase approaches:
| Parameter | Solid-Phase Conjugation | Solution-Phase Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| Protection of binding site | Higher | Lower |
| Control over conjugation sites | Better | Limited |
| Ease of removing excess reagents | Simplified | Requires additional purification |
| Pre-selection capability | Enabled | Limited |
| Throughput potential | High | Variable |
| Equipment requirements | Minimal | May require specialized equipment |
Solid-phase conjugation via Protein A/G immobilization has evolved from simple conjugation procedures to sophisticated pre-selection strategies that identify antibodies capable of maintaining functionality post-conjugation . This approach significantly reduces the workload associated with hybridoma cloning and screening by focusing efforts on antibody candidates with demonstrated tolerance to conjugation.
While biotin remains widely used, several alternative conjugation strategies offer potential advantages:
Click chemistry approaches using azide-alkyne reactions for site-specific labeling
Enzymatic conjugation methods using sortase or transglutaminase
Engineered antibody variants with incorporated non-canonical amino acids for site-specific modification
DNA-barcoded antibodies for ultra-multiplexed detection systems
Small, covalent tags that minimize impact on antibody structure and function
These emerging approaches address limitations of traditional NHS-ester chemistry by providing greater control over conjugation sites and stoichiometry, potentially preserving antibody binding activity even with extensive modification.
The research community continues to develop innovative methods to simplify conjugation processes while maximizing antibody functionality, moving toward efficient strategies that limit extensive screening and optimization requirements .