Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) Monoclonal Antibody is a specialized immunological reagent designed to recognize the tumor suppressor protein p53 specifically when it carries a monomethyl modification at lysine residue 370. This highly specific antibody is raised in mice using synthetic peptides derived from human p53 around the methylation site of Lys370 as the immunogen . The antibody exhibits high specificity for the monomethylated form of p53 at lysine 370, making it an invaluable tool for studying this specific post-translational modification that has significant implications in cancer biology and cellular signaling pathways .
The antibody recognizes the cellular tumor antigen p53 (UniProt ID: P04637) specifically at the mono-methylation site of lysine 370 . It is produced through hybridoma technology, which ensures consistency and specificity in antibody production. The resulting monoclonal antibody is typically purified using affinity chromatography with the specific immunogen, yielding a highly pure antibody preparation that demonstrates minimal cross-reactivity with other methylation states or unmodified p53 . Commercial preparations of this antibody are available from multiple suppliers with varying specifications, though all target the same epitope centered on the mono-methylated Lys370 of p53.
The Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) Monoclonal Antibody is typically supplied as a liquid formulation in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4. The formulation commonly contains preservatives such as 0.02% sodium azide and stabilizers like 50% glycerol to maintain antibody integrity during storage . The concentration of commercially available antibodies ranges from 1 mg/ml to 1 μg/μl depending on the supplier and specific product formulation . Various packaging sizes are available, typically ranging from 30 μl to 200 μl, with some suppliers offering 50 μg quantity options to accommodate different research needs and scales .
The Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) Monoclonal Antibody has been validated for several experimental applications, making it a versatile tool for investigating p53 methylation in various research contexts. These applications include:
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): The antibody can be used in standard ELISA protocols with recommended dilutions ranging from 1:10000 to 1:20000, allowing for quantitative assessment of monomethylated p53 levels in cell or tissue lysates . Additionally, specialized sandwich ELISA methods have been developed to measure the ratio of mono-methyl-Lys370 p53 to total p53, providing valuable information about the proportion of p53 that carries this specific modification .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): For detecting monomethylated p53 in tissue sections, the antibody can be used at dilutions ranging from 1:50 to 1:200, enabling the visualization of this modified form of p53 in its cellular context and the assessment of its distribution patterns in normal and diseased tissues .
Western Blotting (WB): The antibody effectively detects monomethylated p53 in western blot applications at dilutions between 1:300 and 1:5000, allowing researchers to assess the levels of this modification in different experimental conditions or disease states .
Immunofluorescence (IF): When used for immunofluorescence or immunocytochemistry (ICC), the antibody can be applied at dilutions of 1:50 to 1:200, enabling visualization of the subcellular localization of monomethylated p53 .
The antibody has proven particularly valuable in studying p53 regulation through post-translational modifications. In studies investigating the methyltransferase SMYD2, which catalyzes the monomethylation of p53 at Lys370, the antibody has been used to measure the effects of potential inhibitors like LLY-507 . This application demonstrates how the antibody can be employed to evaluate enzymatic reactions affecting p53 methylation status and to screen for compounds that might modulate this process, potentially leading to therapeutic interventions targeting aberrant p53 methylation in cancer.
The methylation of p53 at lysine 370 has significant implications for p53 function as a tumor suppressor. Research has revealed that monomethylation at this residue specifically impacts p53's ability to bind to its target gene promoters . When SMYD2 catalyzes the monomethylation of p53 at Lys370, it creates a steric hindrance that physically impedes p53 from interacting with its DNA targets, effectively suppressing p53's transcriptional activity . This modification thus represents a regulatory mechanism that can attenuate p53's tumor suppressor functions, potentially contributing to oncogenic processes when dysregulated.
The ability to detect and quantify mono-methylation at Lys370 of p53 is particularly relevant to cancer research. SMYD2, the enzyme responsible for this modification, has been found to be overexpressed in various cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, where its overexpression correlates with poor patient survival . Furthermore, studies have shown that knockdown of SMYD2 prevents DNA damage-induced, p53-dependent apoptosis, suggesting a complex role for this methylation in cellular responses to genotoxic stress .
The development of inhibitors targeting SMYD2, such as LLY-507, highlights the potential therapeutic relevance of modulating p53 methylation at Lys370. Such inhibitors can reduce SMYD2-induced monomethylation of p53 at submicromolar concentrations and have shown antiproliferative effects in several cancer cell lines, including those derived from esophageal, liver, and breast cancers . The Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) Monoclonal Antibody plays a crucial role in these investigations by providing a specific means to monitor this modification in response to experimental manipulations or therapeutic interventions.
Several key handling practices are recommended to preserve antibody activity:
The specificity of antibodies targeting different methylation states of p53 at Lys370 is crucial for accurate research results. While the Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) Monoclonal Antibody specifically recognizes p53 when monomethylated at Lys370, there are also antibodies available that specifically detect the dimethylated form at the same residue . These Di-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) antibodies have distinct epitope recognition properties and detect endogenous levels of p53 protein only when dimethylated at K370 . This specificity is essential because different methylation states (mono, di, or trimethylation) can have distinct and sometimes opposing effects on p53 function, making it critical to distinguish between these modifications in experimental settings.
Both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies targeting mono-methylated p53 at Lys370 are commercially available. While this report focuses primarily on monoclonal antibodies, it's worth noting that polyclonal alternatives exist, such as the rabbit polyclonal antibody offered by St John's Labs . The choice between monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies depends on the specific research requirements:
Monoclonal antibodies offer high specificity for a single epitope and batch-to-batch consistency, making them ideal for standardized assays and longitudinal studies .
Polyclonal antibodies recognize multiple epitopes on the target protein, potentially offering increased sensitivity but with possible batch variation and broader epitope recognition that might include closely related modifications .
The selection between these antibody types should be guided by the experimental goals, required specificity, and the particular application for which the antibody will be used.
Monomethylation of p53 at Lysine 370 represents a critical post-translational modification that influences p53 tumor suppressor function. SMYD2 (SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2) preferentially monomethylates p53 at Lys-370, which has been shown to regulate p53 activity . This methylation event creates a molecular basis for p53 tumor suppression modulation, making it a significant target in cancer research. The level of endogenous p53 Lys-370 monomethylation is significantly elevated when SMYD2 is overexpressed in vivo, suggesting its role in p53 regulation pathways .
Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) antibodies are primarily used in the following applications:
These applications allow researchers to study the presence, abundance, and localization of monomethylated p53 in various experimental contexts .
Both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies targeting Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) are available, each with distinct characteristics:
Monoclonal antibodies offer higher specificity and reproducibility for applications requiring precise epitope recognition, while polyclonal antibodies may provide stronger signals due to multiple epitope recognition .
To maintain optimal activity of Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) antibodies:
Aliquot to avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles that can degrade antibody performance
Some formulations include stabilizers such as 0.02% sodium azide as preservative
Buffer systems typically utilize PBS at pH 7.4 with protein stabilizers like BSA (0.5-1%)
Proper storage is critical as the antibody's ability to specifically recognize the monomethylated lysine can be compromised by improper handling or storage conditions .
For optimal Western blot results with Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) antibodies:
Sample preparation:
Use fresh samples or those properly stored at -80°C
Include phosphatase and protease inhibitors in lysis buffers to prevent post-translational modification loss
Dilution optimization:
Blocking optimization:
5% non-fat dry milk or BSA in TBST is typically effective
For phospho-specific or methyl-specific antibodies, BSA is often preferred over milk
Detection considerations:
Secondary antibody selection should match the host species (anti-mouse for monoclonal, anti-rabbit for polyclonal)
Extended exposure times may be necessary for low abundance targets
Controls:
Detection of monomethylated p53 presents several challenges:
Addressing these challenges requires careful optimization of experimental conditions and appropriate controls to ensure specific detection of the monomethylated form of p53 .
Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) antibodies are instrumental in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of SMYD2-p53 interactions:
Structural insights:
Conformational changes:
Functional analysis:
Regulatory mechanisms:
Comparative analysis of different p53 post-translational modifications using specific antibodies reveals:
Methylation crosstalk:
Modification patterns in cancer:
Functional outcomes:
Structural implications:
Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) antibodies provide valuable tools for studying therapeutic resistance:
Biomarker identification:
Methylation status of p53 at Lys370 may serve as a biomarker for response to certain therapies
Changes in methylation patterns before and after treatment can be monitored using these antibodies
Resistance mechanisms:
Altered methylation of p53 may contribute to therapy resistance
The antibody enables tracking of methylation changes during treatment and disease progression
Combination therapy approaches:
Understanding p53 methylation status helps in designing rational combination therapies
Targeting enzymes that regulate p53 methylation (like SMYD2) may enhance efficacy of existing therapies
Predictive modeling:
When interpreting variations in mono-methyl-TP53(Lys370) levels across different cell lines:
Consider SMYD2 expression levels:
Assess p53 mutation status:
Evaluate cell type-specific factors:
Consider cellular localization:
Assess other post-translational modifications:
When comparing results from different detection methods:
Method | Considerations | Potential Limitations |
---|---|---|
Western Blotting | - Quantifies total protein levels - Provides molecular weight confirmation - Semi-quantitative | - May miss spatial information - Limited sensitivity for low abundance - Requires proper loading controls |
Immunohistochemistry | - Provides spatial context - Allows assessment in tissue context - Can reveal heterogeneity | - Semi-quantitative at best - Fixation artifacts possible - May have background issues |
ELISA | - Highly quantitative - High throughput capable - Good for comparative studies | - Loses spatial information - May have matrix effects - Requires careful standardization |
Immunofluorescence | - High resolution subcellular localization - Can be combined with other markers - Good for co-localization studies | - Photobleaching concerns - Autofluorescence background - Quantification challenges |
Additional considerations include antibody affinity differences between applications, sample preparation variations, and the need for application-specific controls .
Essential controls for experiments using Mono-Methyl-TP53(Lys370) antibodies include:
Positive controls:
Negative controls:
Specificity controls:
Peptide competition assays with methylated vs. unmethylated peptides
Comparison with antibodies targeting different p53 modifications
Technical controls:
Secondary antibody only controls
Loading controls for Western blots (β-actin, GAPDH)
Tissue controls with known expression patterns for IHC
Validation approaches:
To investigate dynamic regulation of p53 Lys370 methylation:
Time-course experiments:
Monitor methylation changes following cellular stress (DNA damage, hypoxia)
Sample at multiple time points (0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 hours) to capture dynamics
Compare with other p53 modifications to establish temporal relationships
Enzyme modulation:
Stimulus-response studies:
Expose cells to various stressors (radiation, chemotherapy drugs, oxidative stress)
Correlate methylation changes with p53 target gene expression
Assess changes in protein-protein interactions following stimulation
Structural dynamics:
Cell cycle analysis:
Synchronize cells and assess methylation status across cell cycle phases
Correlate with p53 activation status and cellular outcomes
Compare normal vs. cancer cells for differential regulation
When facing contradictory results in p53 Lys370 methylation studies:
Antibody validation:
Re-validate antibody specificity using peptide competition assays
Compare results with multiple antibody clones targeting the same modification
Consider using mass spectrometry to confirm methylation status
Contextual factors:
Examine cell type-specific differences that might explain contradictions
Consider genetic background variations (p53 status, SMYD2 expression)
Assess influence of culture conditions or experimental treatments
Technical considerations:
Standardize sample preparation protocols across experiments
Optimize antibody dilutions and incubation conditions
Ensure consistent detection methods and quantification approaches
Biological complexity:
Investigate crosstalk with other modifications (phosphorylation, acetylation)
Consider spatial and temporal dynamics that might explain differences
Examine effects of protein-protein interactions on epitope accessibility
Integrated approaches: