MPK7 Antibody

Definition and Functional Role of MPK7 Antibody

MPK7 antibodies are immunoreagents designed to detect and quantify MPK7 protein expression, phosphorylation status, and activity. These antibodies enable:

• Immunoblotting: Monitoring MPK7 protein levels in tissues or cell lysates .

• Kinase activity assays: Measuring phosphorylation of substrates like MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN (MBP) .

• Immunoprecipitation: Isolating MPK7 for functional studies .

• Immunohistochemistry: Localizing MPK7 in cellular compartments .

MPK7 is a conserved MAP kinase involved in stress responses, growth regulation, and pathogen-host interactions. For example, in Leishmania major, MPK7 activity regulates amastigote proliferation and virulence .

Table 1: Key Applications of MPK7 Antibody

Role in Pathogen Virulence

• Leishmania major: Transgenic parasites overexpressing active MPK7 (GFPK7) showed attenuated virulence due to growth arrest in amastigotes. Immunoblotting with MPK7 antibodies confirmed reduced intracellular proliferation and reversible growth defects .

• Kinase dependency: Mutations in MPK7’s activation loop (T335A/Y337F) or catalytic site (K150R) abolished virulence attenuation, proving kinase activity is essential for this phenotype .

Plant Development and Stress Responses

• Seed germination: MPK7 antibodies revealed elevated kinase activity in Arabidopsis seeds exposed to supraoptimal temperatures. This correlated with delayed germination, linking MPK7 to temperature-dependent growth control .

• Dormancy regulation: MPK7 phosphorylation status, detected via antibodies, influenced seed after-ripening processes and interactions with ethylene response factors .

Technical Validation and Antibody Specificity

• Species reactivity: MPK7 antibodies exhibit cross-reactivity with human, plant, and protozoan orthologs .

• Phospho-specific detection: Anti-phospho-MAP2K7 (pSer271) antibodies confirmed phosphorylation-dependent MPK7 activation in human cells .

• Concentration and storage: Commercial antibodies (e.g., Sigma-Aldrich SAB4301303) are typically supplied at 1.0 mg/mL and stored at −20°C .

Challenges and Future Directions

• Functional redundancy: MPK7’s overlap with other MAP kinases complicates phenotype interpretation .

• Therapeutic potential: Targeting MPK7 in pathogens like Leishmania could reduce virulence, but off-target effects remain a concern .

• Agricultural applications: Modulating MPK7 in crops may enhance stress resilience, though field trials are pending .