METAP1 Antibody, HRP conjugated is a polyclonal antibody produced in rabbits, chemically linked to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for enhanced detection in assays like ELISA. It targets METAP1, a metalloprotease responsible for cleaving the initiator methionine from nascent peptides, a process essential for protein function and cell proliferation .
Immunogen: Recombinant human METAP1 protein (amino acids 54–125) .
Conjugate: HRP, enabling colorimetric or chemiluminescent signal amplification .
METAP1 is implicated in cell-cycle regulation, particularly during the G2/M phase transition . The HRP-conjugated antibody enables:
Recent studies identify METAP1 as a potential therapeutic target in neoplasia. The antibody aids in detecting unprocessed substrates like 14-3-3γ and EF1a-1, which accumulate when METAP1 activity is inhibited .
Specificity: Recognizes METAP1 but not METAP2, confirmed via competitive assays .
Cross-Reactivity: No observed reactivity with non-human METAP1 orthologs .
Performance: Validated in ELISA with consistent lot-to-lot reproducibility .
Cancer Therapeutics: METAP1 inhibitors (e.g., pyridinylquinazolines) show efficacy in blocking tumor cell proliferation, with METAP1 knockdown causing G2/M phase arrest .
Metal Dependency: METAP1 activity is Co(II)-, Mn(II)-, and Zn(II)-dependent in vitro, a factor critical for inhibitor design .
Dual Inhibition: Combining METAP1 and METAP2 inhibitors enhances antitumor effects, particularly in renal cell carcinoma models .
Assay Compatibility: Zn(II) interferes with METAP1 detection in ProIP-coupled assays, necessitating alternative methods like LAO/HRP-based systems .
Cellular Activity: Early inhibitors (e.g., pyridine-2-carboxamides) failed in cellular assays due to metal ion requirements, underscoring the need for Co(II)-independent compounds .
METAP1 (Methionyl Aminopeptidase 1) is an essential enzyme that cotranslationally removes the N-terminal methionine from nascent proteins. In humans, this canonical protein has a reported length of 386 amino acid residues and a mass of approximately 43.2 kDa . Its primary function is critical when the second residue in the protein sequence is small and uncharged (Met-Ala-, Cys, Gly, Pro, Ser, Thr, or Val) .
METAP1 is a member of the Peptidase M24A protein family and is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm . It is widely expressed across various tissue types, with notably higher expression in skeletal muscle . The enzyme plays a crucial role in protein maturation, which is necessary for proper protein folding and function. Research has demonstrated that METAP1 is required for normal progression through the cell cycle, making it essential for cell proliferation .
Based on the available research data, METAP1 antibodies are commonly used in several experimental applications:
Western Blot (WB): This is the most frequently cited application, used to detect and quantify METAP1 protein expression levels in cell and tissue lysates .
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): Commonly used for quantitative analysis of METAP1 in solution .
Immunoprecipitation (IP): Used to isolate and concentrate METAP1 from complex protein mixtures .
Immunofluorescence (IF): Applied to visualize the subcellular localization of METAP1 in fixed cells .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Used for detecting METAP1 in tissue sections, both frozen (IHC-fr) and paraffin-embedded (IHC-p) .
Flow Cytometry: Particularly intracellular flow cytometry to analyze METAP1 expression at the single-cell level .
The selection of application depends on the specific research question and experimental design. For METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated, ELISA is most frequently mentioned as the validated application .
HRP (Horseradish Peroxidase) conjugation to METAP1 antibodies provides significant advantages in research applications:
Direct Detection: HRP-conjugated antibodies eliminate the need for secondary antibody incubation steps, reducing protocol time and potential sources of error .
Enhanced Sensitivity: The enzymatic amplification provided by HRP allows for detection of low-abundance METAP1 protein in samples, improving the signal-to-noise ratio in assays .
Compatibility with Multiple Detection Systems: HRP-conjugated antibodies can be used with various substrates (colorimetric, chemiluminescent, or chemifluorescent), offering flexibility in detection methods .
Reduced Background: By eliminating the secondary antibody step, HRP-conjugated antibodies can reduce non-specific binding, particularly valuable in complex samples or when cross-reactivity is a concern .
Quantitative Analysis: In ELISA applications, HRP-conjugated METAP1 antibodies facilitate precise quantification of target proteins through standardized enzymatic reactions .
The HRP conjugation is particularly useful for ELISA applications, which is the most commonly validated application for HRP-conjugated METAP1 antibodies according to the literature .
The enzymatic activity of METAP1 is significantly influenced by various metal ions, which is a critical consideration when designing experiments involving this metalloenzyme:
Cobalt (Co(II)):
Manganese (Mn(II)):
Zinc (Zn(II)):
Copper (Cu(II)):
Nickel (Ni(II)):
Magnesium (Mg(II)) and Calcium (Ca(II)):
These metal ion dependencies have significant implications for experimental design:
For in vitro assays, researchers should carefully select the appropriate metal ions based on the specific objectives.
When testing inhibitors, considering the physiologically relevant metal forms (likely Mn(II) or Zn(II)) rather than Co(II) may yield more translatable results.
The choice of coupling enzymes in activity assays must account for potential metal ion interference (e.g., Zn(II) inhibits ProIP coupling enzyme but not LAO/HRP coupling enzymes) .
Understanding these metal dependencies explains why some inhibitors showing potent activity with Co(II) in vitro fail to inhibit METAP1 in cellular contexts where other metals predominate .
Validating the specificity of METAP1 antibodies, including HRP-conjugated versions, requires a multi-faceted approach:
Western Blot Analysis with Positive and Negative Controls:
Immunoprecipitation Followed by Mass Spectrometry:
Purify METAP1 using the antibody, then confirm identity via MS
This approach can reveal potential cross-reactivity with similar proteins
Cross-reactivity Testing Against Related Proteins:
Immunofluorescence Correlation with Subcellular Localization:
Genetic Validation Approaches:
Peptide Competition Assays:
Orthogonal Detection Methods:
Comparing results from multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes of METAP1
Correlating protein detection with mRNA expression data
The validation should include testing across multiple species when relevant, as METAP1 is highly conserved across mammals (99% identity between human and chimpanzee, 98% with rat/mouse) .
Monitoring METAP1 activity in cellular systems requires sophisticated approaches beyond simple protein detection. Based on the research literature, the following methodological strategies have proven effective:
N-terminal Methionine Excision (NME) Reporter System:
siRNA Knockdown Validation:
Inhibitor-Based Activity Assessment:
Combined Inhibition of METAP1 and METAP2:
Metal Dependency Profiling in Cellular Context:
When designing these experiments, researchers should consider:
Cell-type specific differences in METAP1 activity (HUVEC cells show higher sensitivity than neoplastic cell lines)
Potential cytotoxicity of inhibitors or metal supplementation
The complementary roles of METAP1 and METAP2 in processing different protein substrates
Appropriate timepoints for analysis (typically 24-hour treatments for inhibitor studies)
Recent research has revealed important connections between METAP1 mutations and neurological disorders, particularly intellectual disability:
METAP1 Mutations and Autosomal Recessive Intellectual Disability:
A homozygous nonsense mutation (c.865C>T) in the METAP1 gene has been identified in a consanguineous family with multiple affected siblings presenting with intellectual disability
This mutation introduces a premature stop codon at arginine 289, resulting in a truncated protein
The truncated protein is predicted to undergo nonsense-mediated decay
Parents heterozygous for the variant showed no phenotypic effects, suggesting a recessive inheritance pattern
Genetic Evidence for METAP1 Intolerance to Loss-of-Function:
Analysis of METAP1 in population databases revealed:
Only two rare loss-of-function variants found in ExAC database
Observed/expected score of 0.27 for loss-of-function variants
This indicates the gene is under selection against loss-of-function variants
These findings support the pathogenicity of homozygous loss-of-function mutations
Experimental Approaches for Studying METAP1-Associated Neurological Disorders:
Patient-Derived Cells: Primary cells from affected individuals can be used to study protein processing defects
Antibody Applications: METAP1 antibodies can detect protein expression levels and localization in patient samples
Functional Assays: Measuring accumulation of unprocessed proteins (e.g., 14-3-3γ) in cellular models
Animal Models: Creating models with equivalent mutations to study neurodevelopmental impacts
Technical Considerations for Research:
When studying patient samples, sensitivity and specificity of detection methods are critical
HRP-conjugated antibodies may provide advantages in detecting potentially low-abundance mutant METAP1 proteins
Correlation of protein studies with clinical phenotyping and neuroimaging is recommended
Multi-omics approaches combining proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics may reveal downstream effects of METAP1 dysfunction
This emerging research area highlights the importance of proper N-terminal methionine processing in neurodevelopment and suggests that METAP1 could be a novel target for intellectual disability research .
Distinguishing between METAP1 and METAP2 activities is methodologically challenging but critical for understanding their distinct biological roles. Based on research findings, the following approaches are effective:
Selective Inhibition Strategy:
Substrate Specificity Analysis:
14-3-3γ has been identified as a substrate processed by both METAP1 and METAP2
Comparative analysis of unprocessed/total protein ratios with selective inhibition:
siRNA Knockdown Approach:
Selective knockdown of either METAP1 or METAP2:
METAP1 siRNA (20 nM): 30% decrease in protein → 3.2-fold increase in unprocessed 14-3-3γ
METAP1 siRNA (100 nM): 80% decrease in protein → 5-fold increase in unprocessed 14-3-3γ
METAP2 siRNA (20 nM): 90% decrease in protein → 7-fold increase in unprocessed 14-3-3γ
Differential effects on various substrates can be quantified
Metal Dependency Profiling:
Cell Type-Specific Activity Assessment:
HUVEC cells show higher sensitivity to both METAP1 and METAP2 inhibition compared to neoplastic cell lines
In various cancer cell lines, bengamide A/B (inhibiting both METAPs) increased unprocessed 14-3-3γ by no more than 2.6-fold
TNP-470 (METAP2 inhibitor) increased the ratio by no more than 1.6-fold
These differential responses help distinguish the relative contributions of each enzyme
Western Blot Analysis with Specific Antibodies:
These methodological approaches provide a comprehensive toolset for researchers to dissect the distinct and overlapping functions of METAP1 and METAP2 in various cellular contexts.
For maintaining optimal activity of METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated, researchers should implement the following storage and handling practices:
Long-term Storage:
Short-term Storage:
Freeze-Thaw Considerations:
Light Protection:
Working Solution Preparation:
Stability Timeline:
Quality Control Considerations:
Periodically test activity against positive controls to ensure retention of specificity and sensitivity
Include standard curves when using in quantitative applications like ELISA
Monitor for precipitation or color changes that might indicate degradation
Following these technical guidelines will help ensure consistent and reliable results when using METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated in research applications.
Implementing appropriate controls is critical for generating reliable data with METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated. Based on research methodologies, the following controls should be included:
Positive Controls:
Negative Controls:
Primary Antibody Controls:
Secondary Detection Controls (when applicable):
Omission of primary antibody while maintaining all other steps
Substrate-only controls to assess endogenous peroxidase activity
Specificity Controls:
Quantitative Controls for ELISA Applications:
Standard curve using recombinant METAP1 at known concentrations
Spike-in recovery tests to assess matrix effects
Dilution linearity tests to confirm antibody performance across concentration ranges
Technical Controls:
Loading controls for Western blots (e.g., GAPDH, β-actin)
Background subtraction controls
Replicate samples to assess technical variability
Biological Process Controls:
Validation Controls:
Orthogonal detection methods (e.g., comparing results with non-HRP conjugated antibodies)
Correlation with mRNA expression levels
Comparison with published data on METAP1 expression patterns
Implementation of these comprehensive controls will ensure the validity of results and help troubleshoot any issues that may arise when using METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated in research applications.
Optimizing assay conditions for METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated, requires attention to several key parameters to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio:
Antibody Concentration Optimization:
Titration is essential - test a range of dilutions (typically between 1:100 to 1:5000)
For ELISA applications, optimize through checkerboard titration against known concentrations of antigen
Higher concentrations increase sensitivity but may elevate background; lower concentrations improve specificity but may reduce signal intensity
Blocking Optimization:
Incubation Parameters:
Temperature:
Primary reactions typically conducted at room temperature (1-2 hours) or 4°C (overnight)
HRP enzyme activity optimal at room temperature
Duration:
Shorter times may reduce background but require higher antibody concentrations
Extended incubations can improve sensitivity for low-abundance targets
Agitation: Gentle agitation improves binding kinetics and uniformity
Wash Protocol Optimization:
Substrate Selection and Development:
For colorimetric detection: TMB offers high sensitivity with wide dynamic range
For chemiluminescence: Enhanced chemiluminescent substrates provide highest sensitivity
Optimization of development time:
Too short: weak signal
Too long: high background and signal saturation
Signal detection should be performed during the linear phase of the reaction
Sample Preparation Considerations:
Metal Ion Considerations for METAP1 Studies:
Technical Tips for Reducing Background:
These optimized conditions will help maximize the signal-to-noise ratio when using METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated, resulting in more reliable and reproducible data.
Based on extensive research experience with conjugated antibodies, here are common issues encountered with METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated, and their methodological solutions:
High Background Signal
Potential Causes and Solutions:
Insufficient blocking: Increase blocking concentration to 3-5% BSA or optimize blocking time
Inadequate washing: Extend wash steps to 5 minutes each and increase number of washes to 5-6
Cross-reactivity: Pre-absorb antibody with related proteins or use more stringent blocking
Too high antibody concentration: Perform titration experiments to determine optimal concentration
Storage degradation: Check for precipitates or discoloration; replace if compromised
Endogenous peroxidase activity: Include peroxidase quenching step with 0.3% H₂O₂ in methanol for 30 minutes
Weak or No Signal
Potential Causes and Solutions:
Low target expression: Increase sample concentration or use enrichment methods
Epitope masking: Try different sample preparation methods or denaturation conditions
Antibody degradation: Verify activity with positive control; avoid excessive freeze-thaw cycles
Incompatible buffer components: Avoid metal chelators or reducing agents that may affect HRP
Incorrect metal cofactors: For functional studies, ensure appropriate metal ions (Co(II), Mn(II), or Zn(II)) are available
HRP inactivation: Avoid sodium azide in buffers as it inhibits HRP activity
Non-specific Bands in Western Blot
Potential Causes and Solutions:
Protein degradation: Add fresh protease inhibitors to lysis buffer
Cross-reactivity: Increase wash stringency with higher salt concentration (up to 500 mM NaCl)
Post-translational modifications: Use phosphatase inhibitors if studying modified forms
Alternative splicing: Verify against recombinant protein control
Sample overloading: Reduce protein amount to 10-20 μg per lane
Inconsistent Results Between Experiments
Potential Causes and Solutions:
Antibody stability issues: Aliquot upon receipt to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Batch-to-batch variation: Include internal standards across experiments
Cell culture conditions: Standardize passage number and confluence
Variable incubation times: Use consistent protocol timing
Temperature fluctuations: Maintain consistent environment during critical steps
Poor Reproducibility in ELISA
Potential Causes and Solutions:
Inconsistent coating: Optimize coating buffer and conditions (typically overnight at 4°C)
Edge effects in plates: Use only internal wells or pre-incubate plates at assay temperature
Pipetting errors: Use calibrated multichannel pipettes and reverse pipetting technique
Substrate degradation: Prepare fresh substrate solution and protect from light
Temperature variations: Bring all reagents to room temperature before use
Metal-Dependent Artifacts in Functional Studies
Potential Causes and Solutions:
Incorrect metal cofactors: Test multiple physiologically relevant metals (Mn(II), Zn(II))
Inhibitor metal dependency: Test inhibitors under different metal conditions
Metal contamination: Use high-purity water and reagents
Metal chelation by buffers: Avoid EDTA or other chelators in functional studies
Signal Saturation or Limited Dynamic Range
Potential Causes and Solutions:
Excessive substrate development: Optimize development time and monitor kinetically
Too high antibody concentration: Perform serial dilutions to find optimal concentration
Detector saturation: Use multiple exposure times or dilute samples further
Substrate limitation: Ensure sufficient substrate volume and freshness
Implementing these troubleshooting strategies will help researchers obtain consistent and reliable results when using METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated.
Integrating METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated into multiplex detection systems requires strategic planning and optimization. Here are methodological approaches for successful implementation:
Spectrally Resolved Multiplex ELISA:
Compatible Enzyme-Substrate Pairs:
METAP1 antibody-HRP with TMB substrate (450-650 nm)
Pair with alkaline phosphatase (AP) conjugates (pNPP substrate, 405 nm)
Include fluorescent reporter antibodies with distinct emission spectra
Sequential Detection Protocol:
Western Blot Multiplex Detection:
Strip and Reprobe Method:
Use METAP1 antibody-HRP first for target detection
Document results thoroughly
Strip membrane with stripping buffer (pH 2.2, 0.1% SDS, 1.5% glycine)
Reprobe with antibodies against additional targets or controls
Size-Based Multiplexing:
Bead-Based Multiplex Assays:
Magnetic Bead Approach:
Couple different antibodies to spectrally distinct beads
Use METAP1 antibody-HRP as a detection reagent
Analyze using flow cytometry or specialized plate readers
Implementation Considerations:
Tissue Multiplex Immunohistochemistry:
Sequential Immunostaining:
Apply METAP1 antibody-HRP first with DAB substrate (brown)
Denature/remove antibody complex (microwave method)
Apply subsequent antibodies with different chromogens (AEC - red, etc.)
Optimization Requirements:
Chemiluminescent Multiplex Detection:
Different Substrates with Varied Emission Kinetics:
Standard ECL for METAP1 antibody-HRP
Super-signal substrates for lower abundance targets
Implementation Protocol:
Technical Considerations for All Multiplex Applications:
Cross-reactivity Prevention:
Extensive blocking between detection steps (1-3% BSA with 0.1% Tween-20)
Antibody pre-absorption against common cross-reactive proteins
Use of highly purified antibody preparations
Signal Interference Mitigation:
Validation Approaches:
Signal Validation Strategy:
Compare multiplex results with single-plex detections
Quantify signal loss or gain in multiplex format
Establish correction factors if necessary
Specificity Confirmation:
These methodological approaches provide a framework for successfully incorporating METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated into various multiplex detection systems while maintaining specificity and sensitivity.
When applying METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated across different tissue types, researchers should account for several tissue-specific considerations to obtain reliable results:
Tissue-Specific Expression Patterns:
METAP1 is widely expressed across tissues but with variable abundance
Notably higher expression in skeletal muscle compared to other tissues
Expression data should inform protocol optimization for each tissue type
Research findings indicate sensitivity requirements may vary substantially between tissues
Fixation and Processing Considerations:
Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Tissues:
Frozen Tissue Sections:
Fresh Tissue Lysates:
Background Reduction Strategies by Tissue Type:
High-Lipid Tissues (Brain, Adipose):
Additional blocking with 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 to reduce non-specific binding
Consider lipid extraction steps prior to immunostaining
High-Collagen Tissues (Skin, Connective Tissue):
Extended permeabilization times
Protease treatment may improve antibody penetration
Tissues with High Endogenous Peroxidase (Liver, Kidney):
Signal Detection Optimization:
Low Expression Tissues:
Signal amplification systems (tyramide signal amplification)
Extended substrate development time
Higher antibody concentration may be required
High Expression Tissues:
Cell-Type Specific Considerations:
Cultured Primary Cells vs. Cell Lines:
Patient-Derived Samples:
Metal Ion Availability in Different Tissues:
Quantification Approaches by Tissue Type:
Homogeneous Tissues:
Whole-tissue analysis may be sufficient
Standard curve-based quantification in ELISA
Heterogeneous Tissues:
Validation Controls by Tissue Type:
These tissue-specific considerations will help researchers optimize protocols when using METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated across various tissue types, ensuring reliable and reproducible results.
METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated is emerging as an important tool in several areas of cancer research, with methodological applications that span from basic science to translational studies:
Investigation of Cell Proliferation Mechanisms:
METAP1 has been identified as vital for cell proliferation, making it relevant to cancer biology
Researchers are using HRP-conjugated antibodies to:
Development and Evaluation of METAP1 Inhibitors:
Differential Roles of METAP1 vs. METAP2 in Oncogenesis:
Biomarker Development Applications:
Investigation of Metal-Dependent Activity in Tumor Microenvironment:
Translational Research Protocols:
Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Models:
METAP1 expression analysis to stratify tumors
Response monitoring to targeted therapies
Correlation with patient outcomes
Clinical Sample Analysis:
Mechanistic Studies of N-terminal Methionine Processing in Cancer:
Technical Advantages of HRP-Conjugated Antibodies in Cancer Research:
These applications demonstrate the versatility of METAP1 antibody, HRP conjugated in advancing cancer research from mechanistic understanding to potential therapeutic applications.
Several emerging research areas show significant potential for advancement through the application of METAP1 antibodies, including HRP-conjugated variants. These areas represent frontier opportunities where methodological expertise with METAP1 detection could yield valuable insights:
Neurodevelopmental Disorders:
Recent discovery of METAP1 mutations in intellectual disability opens new research avenues
Potential methodological applications:
Aging and Cellular Senescence:
Protein processing efficiency changes with age and may contribute to senescence
Research opportunities include:
Comparing METAP1 activity across age groups
Investigating relationships between METAP1 and longevity pathways
Examining METAP1 substrates involved in cellular aging
Correlating N-terminal processing changes with age-related conditions
Metabolic Regulation and Diseases:
Protein N-terminal processing affects stability and function of metabolic enzymes
Potential applications:
Profiling METAP1 activity in metabolic tissues under different nutritional states
Investigating METAP1's role in insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis
Examining interactions between METAP1 and metabolic stress responses
Exploring therapeutic targeting in metabolic disorders
Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine:
Cell fate decisions may be influenced by protein processing events
Research directions include:
Characterizing METAP1 expression during differentiation processes
Investigating substrate specificity in pluripotent versus differentiated cells
Manipulating METAP1 activity to influence differentiation outcomes
Developing optimized protocols for regenerative applications
Immune System Regulation and Immunotherapies:
Protein processing affects antigen presentation and immune signaling
Promising research areas:
Examining METAP1's role in immune cell activation and function
Investigating relationships between METAP1 and inflammation pathways
Exploring effects on cytokine processing and signaling
Potential applications in immunotherapy development
Metal Biology and Metalloprotein Regulation:
METAP1's metal dependency connects it to broader metal homeostasis
Research opportunities:
Precision Medicine Applications:
METAP1 function may vary between individuals due to genetic or environmental factors
Potential methodological approaches:
Developing personalized METAP1 activity assays
Creating diagnostic tools based on substrate processing patterns
Identifying patient-specific inhibitor responses
Correlating METAP1 function with treatment outcomes
Structural Biology and Drug Development:
Systems Biology of N-terminal Modifications:
Comprehensive understanding of the N-terminal methinonine excision network
Methodological approaches: