MDM2 (Mouse Double Minute 2 Homolog): A ubiquitin ligase that binds and ubiquitinates p53, targeting it for proteasomal degradation. Overexpression of MDM2 disrupts p53-mediated tumor suppression, contributing to cancer progression .
FITC Conjugation: Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) is a green fluorescent dye covalently attached to the antibody, enabling visualization of MDM2 via fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry.
In NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, transient overexpression of MDM2 using an FITC-conjugated antibody (2A10) demonstrated G0/G1 phase arrest . Flow cytometry data revealed:
| Cell Phase | Unlabeled Cells (%) | FITC-Labeled Cells (%) |
|---|---|---|
| G0/G1 | 65.57 ± 0.37 | 89.65 ± 1.03 |
| S | 17.15 ± 0.19 | 5.45 ± 0.25 |
| G2+M | 20.28 ± 0.20 | 4.90 ± 0.24 |
This confirms MDM2’s role in inhibiting S-phase progression.
In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), anti-MDM2 autoantibodies correlate with anti-p53 autoantibodies, suggesting a link between MDM2 dysregulation and autoimmune pathogenesis .
Western Blot: Detects ~40–50 kDa MDM2 bands in mouse/rat brain lysates (1:1000 dilution) .
Immunohistochemistry: Stains nuclear MDM2 in formalin-fixed tumor tissues (e.g., stomach cancer) .
Flow Cytometry: Quantifies MDM2 overexpression in transfected cells, with fluorescence intensity correlating to protein levels .
MDM2 is an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that targets p53/TP53 for ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. This action inhibits p53/TP53- and p73/TP73-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by binding to the p53/TP73 transcriptional activation domain. MDM2 also acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for itself and ARRB1, facilitating the nuclear export of p53/TP53. Furthermore, it promotes the proteasome-dependent, ubiquitin-independent degradation of retinoblastoma protein (RB1). Its functions also include inhibiting DAXX-mediated apoptosis via ubiquitination and degradation of DAXX, and stabilizing p53/TP53 as a component of the TRIM28/KAP1-MDM2-p53/TP53 complex. MDM2 is also part of the TRIM28/KAP1-ERBB4-MDM2 complex, linking growth factor and DNA damage response pathways. Additional targets of MDM2's ubiquitin ligase activity include DYRK2 (leading to nuclear degradation), IGF1R and SNAI1 (promoting proteasomal degradation), DCX (resulting in reduced dendritic spine density), and DLG4 (required for AMPA receptor endocytosis). Finally, MDM2 negatively regulates NDUFS1, causing decreased mitochondrial respiration, oxidative stress, and apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. This regulation involves binding NDUFS1, resulting in its cytosolic retention, impaired supercomplex assembly (between complex I and III), reduced complex I activity, ROS production, and ultimately, apoptosis.
Numerous studies highlight the significant role of MDM2 in various cancers and biological processes. Key findings include:
MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated has been validated for multiple applications in research settings, primarily:
Western Blotting (WB): Typically used at dilutions of 1:1000
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Recommended at dilutions of approximately 1:50
Immunofluorescence (IF): Effective at dilutions ranging from 1:200 to 1:800
Flow Cytometry (FCM): Particularly useful due to the FITC conjugation
The antibody's FITC conjugation makes it especially valuable for applications requiring direct fluorescence detection without secondary antibody labeling steps. When using this antibody, note that the excitation/emission wavelengths are approximately 499/515nm with compatibility with 488nm laser lines .
Based on extensive validation data, the MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated typically demonstrates reactivity with:
Human MDM2 protein (primary validated target)
Mouse MDM2 (with confirmed cross-reactivity)
Rat MDM2 (with confirmed cross-reactivity)
The reactivity profile depends on the specific antibody clone and manufacturer. Most commercially available antibodies are raised against synthetic peptides from human MDM2, particularly regions within amino acids 100-200 or the specific peptide sequence from positions 374-391 .
When performing Western blot analysis with MDM2 antibodies, researchers should expect to observe:
Primary band at approximately 90 kDa (full-length MDM2)
Secondary band at approximately 50-55 kDa (representing isoform 2 or 3)
According to product specifications, the ~50 kDa band specifically represents isoform 2 or 3 of MDM2. When optimizing Western blot protocols, it's important to consider these multiple isoforms to correctly interpret experimental results .
For rigorous immunofluorescence experiments using MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated, include the following controls:
Positive control: Cell lines known to express high levels of MDM2 (e.g., certain cancer cell lines, particularly those with MDM2 amplification)
Negative control:
Isotype control (FITC-conjugated non-specific IgG)
Cells with MDM2 knockdown (siRNA or CRISPR)
Secondary antibody-only control (if using an unconjugated primary with FITC-secondary)
Absorption control: Pre-absorb the antibody with recombinant MDM2 protein (0.01 μg/μL) overnight at 4°C followed by centrifugation at 10,000 ×g for 15 min, then use the supernatant. This should significantly reduce the specific signal, as demonstrated in immunofluorescence assays using anti-MDM2 positive sera .
Counterstain: Include nuclear counterstain (DAPI) to confirm the nuclear localization pattern typical of MDM2, as it is predominantly a nuclear phosphoprotein .
Optimal sample preparation for MDM2 detection using FITC-conjugated antibodies requires:
Fixation:
For cells: 4% paraformaldehyde for 15-20 minutes at room temperature
For tissues: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections
Permeabilization:
0.1-0.5% Triton X-100 for 5-10 minutes is essential for nuclear antigen access
Alternative: 0.1% saponin for more gentle permeabilization
Antigen retrieval (particularly important for FFPE tissues):
Heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer (pH 6.0)
Or EDTA buffer (pH 9.0) for 15-20 minutes
Blocking:
5-10% normal serum (matching the species of secondary antibody)
1% BSA in PBS to reduce background fluorescence
Signal preservation:
Mount with anti-fade mounting medium
Store slides in the dark at 4°C
Image promptly as FITC is susceptible to photobleaching
Remember that MDM2 is normally expressed at low levels in most tissues but is overexpressed in various cancer types, making signal optimization crucial for accurate detection .
To verify MDM2 antibody specificity in your experimental system:
Molecular validation:
Perform Western blot analysis to confirm the antibody detects bands of expected molecular weight (~90 kDa for full-length MDM2 and ~50 kDa for isoforms)
Compare results with multiple anti-MDM2 antibodies targeting different epitopes
Genetic validation:
Use MDM2 knockdown (siRNA/shRNA) or knockout (CRISPR-Cas9) cells
The specific signal should be significantly reduced or absent in these samples
Peptide competition assay:
Pre-incubate the antibody with excess immunogenic peptide
This should block specific binding and reduce or eliminate the signal
Cellular localization pattern:
MDM2 should predominantly show nuclear localization
Evaluate if the staining pattern matches known MDM2 distribution
Biological validation:
The p53-MDM2 regulatory loop is a critical pathway in cancer biology that can be studied using MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated through several sophisticated approaches:
Dual immunofluorescence analysis:
Co-stain with MDM2 antibody (FITC conjugated) and p53 antibody (with a different fluorophore)
Quantify co-localization in different cellular compartments
This approach reveals the spatial relationship between these proteins across different cell states or treatments
Drug-induced MDM2 modulation studies:
Cell cycle analysis:
Combine MDM2-FITC staining with DNA content analysis
This allows correlation of MDM2 expression with specific cell cycle phases
Flow cytometry can be used to quantify these relationships
Stress response dynamics:
Subject cells to DNA-damaging agents that activate the p53 pathway
Use time-lapse imaging to track changes in MDM2-FITC signal intensity and localization
This approach reveals the temporal dynamics of the p53-MDM2 feedback loop
The p53-MDM2 loop functions as a feedback-control mechanism where p53 activation upregulates MDM2, which then inhibits p53 activity and promotes its degradation . This relationship makes it an important target for cancer therapeutics.
Detecting MDM2 in tumor samples using FITC-conjugated antibodies requires specific methodological considerations:
Tissue preparation considerations:
Fresh frozen tissues often preserve antigenicity better than FFPE samples
If using FFPE, optimize antigen retrieval methods specifically for MDM2
Section thickness (4-6 μm optimal) affects antibody penetration
Signal-to-noise optimization:
Autofluorescence is a significant challenge in tumor tissues
Pre-treatment with Sudan Black B (0.1-0.3%) can reduce autofluorescence
Alternatively, use spectral unmixing during image acquisition
Heterogeneity assessment:
MDM2 expression is often heterogeneous within tumors
Systematic sampling of multiple tumor regions is essential
Consider tissue microarrays for high-throughput analysis
Quantification strategies:
Develop consistent scoring systems (0-3+ or H-score)
Use digital image analysis with appropriate thresholding
Report both percentage of positive cells and intensity metrics
Clinical correlation methods:
MDM2 overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in various cancers
Document relevant clinicopathological parameters
Consider multi-marker panels including p53 status
MDM2 overexpression is detected in a variety of cancers and can result in excessive inactivation of p53, diminishing its tumor suppressor function . Blue fluorescent dyes like FITC are not ideal for detecting low abundance targets due to lower fluorescence and potentially higher non-specific background .
MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated can be instrumental in investigating the emerging role of MDM2 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through several methodological approaches:
Detection of anti-MDM2 autoantibodies:
Use purified recombinant MDM2 protein to capture patient autoantibodies
Then employ MDM2-FITC conjugated antibody (targeting a different epitope) to detect bound MDM2
This two-step approach can confirm the presence of anti-MDM2 autoantibodies
Cellular distribution analysis:
Correlative studies with disease markers:
Analyze relationships between MDM2 expression and established SLE markers
Studies have demonstrated that anti-MDM2 autoantibody was detected at 23.30% prevalence in SLE patients compared to only 4.30% in healthy controls
The titer of anti-MDM2 positively correlates with anti-p53 in SLE patients (39.50% prevalence)
Treatment response monitoring:
Track changes in MDM2 expression in response to immunosuppressive therapies
Flow cytometry with MDM2-FITC antibody enables quantitative assessment of therapy effects
Research has shown that MDM2 is overexpressed in the MRL-Fas^lpr mice (an animal model of SLE) and correlates with disease progression. This suggests abnormal MDM2 expression may trigger autoimmune responses, making anti-MDM2 a potential new serological marker or therapeutic target in SLE .
FITC conjugation introduces specific performance considerations for MDM2 antibodies:
| Parameter | FITC-Conjugated MDM2 Antibody | Unconjugated MDM2 Antibody |
|---|---|---|
| Detection workflow | Direct single-step detection | Requires secondary antibody |
| Signal amplification | Limited (1:1 FITC:antibody ratio) | Possible with enzymatic or multi-fluorophore secondaries |
| Background in nuclear applications | Potentially higher due to direct detection | Can be optimized with specialized secondaries |
| Photobleaching sensitivity | High - FITC is relatively photolabile | Depends on secondary label chosen |
| Spectral overlap with other dyes | May interfere with DAPI and GFP | Flexible - can choose compatible secondary |
| Quantitative applications | Direct correlation with antigen amount | Signal amplification may complicate quantification |
Key technical considerations when using FITC-conjugated MDM2 antibodies:
Photobleaching mitigation:
Minimize exposure to light during all steps
Use anti-fade mounting media containing DABCO or similar compounds
Consider using Slow Fade Gold or ProLong Diamond for extended imaging
Signal optimization:
Autofluorescence considerations:
Detecting MDM2 using antibody-based methods presents several specific challenges with corresponding solutions:
Low endogenous expression levels:
Challenge: MDM2 is often expressed at low levels in normal cells
Solution: Use signal amplification systems (TSA/CARD) or more sensitive detection methods like RNAscope for validation
Approach: Pre-treatment with proteasome inhibitors (e.g., MG132 at 2 μM for 12 hours) can increase MDM2 levels by preventing degradation
Multiple isoform detection:
Cross-reactivity with related proteins:
Challenge: MDM2 shares homology with MDMX/MDM4
Solution: Validate specificity using knockout/knockdown controls
Approach: Confirm specificity using peptide competition assays
Dynamic regulation by p53:
Challenge: MDM2 levels fluctuate due to p53 feedback regulation
Solution: Consider p53 status of experimental models
Approach: Document p53 status and standardize experimental conditions
Nuclear localization barriers:
Challenge: MDM2 is predominantly nuclear, requiring efficient antibody nuclear penetration
Solution: Optimize permeabilization conditions
Approach: Extended permeabilization (0.5% Triton X-100 for 15-20 minutes) can improve nuclear antigen access
Post-translational modifications:
Optimal storage and handling of MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated requires careful attention to preserve both antibody integrity and fluorophore activity:
Storage temperature:
Buffer composition:
Light protection:
FITC is highly light-sensitive
Store in amber tubes or wrap containers in aluminum foil
Minimize exposure to light during all handling steps
Shelf life considerations:
Typical shelf life is 12 months when stored properly
FITC conjugates generally have shorter shelf lives than unconjugated antibodies
Document date of receipt and first use
Stability indicators:
Visible precipitation indicates denaturation
Significant decrease in fluorescence intensity suggests FITC degradation
Increasing non-specific background may indicate antibody degradation
Working solution handling:
Prepare fresh working dilutions for each experiment
Return stock solutions to -20°C promptly after use
Working solutions can be stored at 4°C for up to one week but with diminished performance
Proper storage according to manufacturer recommendations is essential as antibody degradation or FITC photobleaching can lead to inconsistent experimental results and false negatives.
MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated provides powerful methodological approaches to investigate MDM2's function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway:
Co-localization with ubiquitinated proteins:
Use dual immunofluorescence with MDM2-FITC and anti-ubiquitin antibodies (different fluorophore)
Quantify co-localization using Pearson's or Mander's coefficients
Track spatial relationships during proteasomal inhibition
Monitoring MDM2 autoubiquitination:
MDM2 undergoes self-ubiquitination as a regulatory mechanism
Time-course experiments with proteasome inhibitors (e.g., MG132)
Quantify changes in MDM2-FITC intensity as indication of accumulation
Investigation of E3 ligase activity modulation:
Ubiquitination targets visualization:
MDM2 targets p53, Rb, and ribosomal protein L5 for degradation
FITC-labeled MDM2 allows tracking of interaction with these targets
Study dynamics of MDM2-substrate interactions using live-cell imaging
His-tagged ubiquitin pulldown assays:
Research has shown that the Ubc domain of TSG101 interferes with ubiquitination of MDM2, inhibits MDM2 decay, elevates its steady-state level, and these events are associated with down-regulation of p53 protein .
Studying the critical MDM2-p53 interaction using FITC-conjugated MDM2 antibodies can be accomplished through several methodological approaches:
Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA):
Combine MDM2-FITC antibody with anti-p53 antibody
PLA generates fluorescent spots only when proteins are in close proximity (<40nm)
Quantify interaction frequency in different cellular compartments or conditions
FRET analysis:
Use MDM2-FITC as donor and p53 labeled with a compatible acceptor fluorophore
Measure energy transfer as indication of direct protein-protein interaction
Can provide real-time dynamics of interaction in living cells
Co-immunoprecipitation visualization:
Perform p53 immunoprecipitation followed by MDM2-FITC detection
Alternatively, use MDM2 pull-down and detect p53
Compare interaction under various cellular stresses
Drug intervention studies:
Correlation with functional outcomes:
Relate MDM2-p53 interaction patterns to apoptotic markers
Assess cell cycle distribution in relation to interaction intensity
Link interaction dynamics to downstream p53 target gene expression
The p53-MDM2 pathway controls T cell immunity, and targeting this pathway may be therapeutic in cancer patients regardless of tumor p53 status. MDM2 abundance correlates with T cell function and IFNγ-signature in cancer patients .
MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated provides valuable tools for investigating MDM2's emerging role in cancer immunotherapy through several methodological approaches:
MDM2 peptide vaccine development:
T cell reactivity assessment:
Combination therapy optimization:
MDM2 inhibitors (e.g., Nutlin-3) can enhance antitumor T cell responses by:
Increasing MDM2 expression
Upregulating HLA-class I and HLA-DR through class II transactivator (CIITA)
Use MDM2-FITC antibody to monitor these changes via:
Biomarker development:
MDM2 expression correlates with response to immunotherapy
Develop standardized protocols using FITC-conjugated antibodies for:
Patient stratification
Treatment response monitoring
Resistance mechanism identification
Research has shown that MDM2 is expressed in head and neck cancer patients with poor prognosis, and T cells that recognize MDM2 peptides are present in these patients. Using MDM2 peptide vaccines combined with MDM2 inhibitors represents a promising immunotherapeutic strategy .
Recent research has revealed MDM2's unexpected role in T cell function and anti-tumor immunity. MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated provides several methodological approaches to investigate this role:
Competitive binding analysis in T cells:
T cell functional assessment:
MDM2 deficiency in T cells leads to:
Accelerated tumor progression
Decreased tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cell survival and function
Use MDM2-FITC antibody to sort T cells based on MDM2 expression levels
Correlate expression with functional parameters:
Pharmacological intervention studies:
Clinical correlation methodologies:
This research demonstrates that targeting the p53-MDM2 pathway may benefit cancer patients regardless of tumor p53 status by enhancing T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity .
The emerging relationship between MDM2 and STAT5 in immune regulation can be investigated using MDM2 antibody, FITC conjugated through several sophisticated methodological approaches:
Competitive binding dynamics visualization:
Protein stability assessment protocols:
T cell functional correlation methods:
Dose-response relationship quantification:
Research has shown that in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, MDM2 competes with c-Cbl for STAT5 binding, reducing c-Cbl-mediated STAT5 degradation and enhancing STAT5 stability. This mechanism is critical for T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, suggesting potential therapeutic approaches targeting this pathway .
Advanced multiplexed imaging systems offer powerful new opportunities for studying MDM2 biology using FITC-conjugated antibodies through several cutting-edge methodological approaches:
Cyclic immunofluorescence (CycIF) protocols:
Apply MDM2-FITC antibody in first imaging round
Capture signal at single-cell resolution
Chemically strip or bleach fluorophores
Repeat with additional markers (up to 30-40 proteins in same tissue section)
Computational alignment and analysis reveals complex relationships between MDM2 and multiple signaling pathways
Mass cytometry imaging (IMC) integration:
While FITC itself isn't compatible with IMC, researchers can:
Use serial sections approach
Perform FITC-based imaging on one section
Use metal-tagged MDM2 antibodies on adjacent section
Computationally align images
This combines sensitivity of fluorescence with multiplexing capability of IMC
Spectral unmixing optimization:
FITC has spectral overlap with other common fluorophores
Latest spectral unmixing algorithms can separate:
FITC (MDM2)
GFP (if using reporter constructs)
Autofluorescence
Other spectrally similar fluorophores
This enables more complex co-detection panels
Super-resolution microscopy applications:
FITC-conjugated antibodies can be used in techniques like:
Structured illumination microscopy (SIM)
Stimulated emission depletion (STED)
DNA-PAINT (with appropriate DNA-conjugated secondary antibodies)
These approaches reveal nanoscale organization of MDM2 relative to binding partners
Spatial transcriptomics correlation:
Combine MDM2-FITC protein detection with:
In situ hybridization for MDM2 mRNA
Spatial transcriptomics platforms
This reveals relationships between:
Protein expression
Transcriptional regulation
Spatial context within tissue architecture