MPZL1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in extracellular matrix-induced signal transduction. It contains an extracellular immunoglobulin-like domain, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic domain with signaling motifs. Research has demonstrated that MPZL1:
Promotes cell migration and invasion in multiple cancer types
Activates signaling pathways involving Src kinases and cortactin
Contributes to cytoskeletal reorganization during cell movement
Enhances cell proliferation and survival
May regulate anti-apoptotic responses
MPZL1 is genomically located at chromosome 1q24 and its amplification correlates with increased expression in various cancer types . The protein is expressed at low levels in normal tissues but shows significant upregulation in malignant tissues, particularly in advanced cancers .
MPZL1 antibodies can be employed in several research techniques:
Western blotting (WB): For detecting protein expression levels and evaluating molecular weight variants. Multiple MPZL1 bands may be observed due to its alternatively spliced isoforms
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): For examining tissue expression patterns and subcellular localization
Immunofluorescence (IF): For detailed subcellular localization studies
Immunoprecipitation (IP): For investigating protein-protein interactions
ELISA: For quantitative analysis of MPZL1 in biological samples
These applications enable comprehensive investigation of MPZL1's expression, regulation, and functional roles in both normal physiology and disease states.
When selecting an MPZL1 antibody, consider the following criteria:
| Selection Criteria | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Application compatibility | Confirm validation for WB, IHC, IF, IP, or ELISA as needed |
| Host species | Choose to avoid cross-reactivity with secondary antibodies |
| Clonality | Polyclonals offer broader epitope recognition; monoclonals provide consistency |
| Species reactivity | Verify reactivity with your model organism (human, mouse, rat, etc.) |
| Epitope location | Select antibodies targeting domains relevant to your research question |
| Isoform recognition | Consider whether all isoforms or specific variants are research targets |
| Validation data | Review published data supporting antibody specificity |
For example, when studying MPZL1 in cancer tissues, select antibodies validated for IHC in similar cancer types with demonstrated specificity . Consider antibodies targeting different epitopes (e.g., AA 1-269, AA 107-156, AA 195-258) depending on your research focus .
Implement appropriate controls to ensure reliable results:
Positive controls: Cell lines or tissues with known MPZL1 expression (e.g., HO8910, HEY, or GBC-SD cells)
Negative controls: MPZL1 knockdown cells using validated siRNA or shRNA (e.g., siRNA sequences 5′-GCACCUAUAUCUGUGAUGUTT-3′)
Technical controls: Omit primary antibody or use isotype controls
Loading controls: Include housekeeping proteins like GAPDH for Western blots
Antibody validation: Compare results using antibodies targeting different MPZL1 epitopes
For immunohistochemistry, include normal tissues with low MPZL1 expression alongside cancer tissues with expected high expression to establish staining specificity .
Research demonstrates distinct MPZL1 expression patterns:
Normal tissues: MPZL1 is expressed at low levels in most normal tissues, including normal ovarian and gallbladder epithelium
Cancer tissues: Significantly higher expression is observed in malignant tissues compared to benign/borderline tissues
Cancer progression: Expression correlates with clinical staging, with higher levels in advanced stages (Stage III/IV vs. Stage I/II)
Metastatic potential: MPZL1 expression positively correlates with metastatic features and invasive capabilities
Clinical markers: MPZL1 expression correlates with other clinical markers like CA125 levels in ovarian cancer
Immunohistochemical studies have shown that MPZL1 is almost undetectable in benign tissues but shows progressively increasing expression in borderline and malignant conditions .
For enhanced detection sensitivity:
Antibody optimization:
Test concentration gradients (typically 1:200-1:2000 dilutions)
Extend incubation times to overnight at 4°C
Compare different antibody clones targeting various epitopes
Sample preparation:
Signal amplification:
Implement tyramide signal amplification for IHC/IF
Use high-sensitivity ECL reagents for Western blots
Apply polymer-based detection systems for increased sensitivity in IHC
Protein concentration:
Increase loading amounts
Use immunoprecipitation to concentrate before detection
Apply gradient gels for better resolution of isoforms
Published research has successfully detected MPZL1 in various tissues using optimized conditions, including primary antibody concentrations of 1:200 and overnight incubations at 4°C .
Various approaches reveal different aspects of MPZL1 function:
Research has demonstrated that MPZL1 knockdown significantly reduces cancer cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, while overexpression enhances these processes .
To dissect MPZL1's signaling role:
Pathway component analysis:
Protein-protein interaction studies:
Perform co-immunoprecipitation to identify binding partners
Use proximity ligation assays for in situ interaction detection
Apply crosslinking approaches before mass spectrometry analysis
Signaling inhibitor treatments:
Apply pathway-specific inhibitors to determine dependence
Combine with MPZL1 manipulation to establish epistatic relationships
Monitor temporal dynamics of pathway activation
Mutational analyses:
Create phosphorylation site mutants to determine critical residues
Generate domain deletion constructs to map interaction regions
Examine isoform-specific signaling capabilities
Research has established that MPZL1 promotes tumor cell proliferation and migration via activation of specific signaling cascades, including Src-dependent pathways .
For rigorous quantitative analysis:
Immunohistochemical scoring:
Tissue microarray analysis:
Analyze multiple patient samples simultaneously
Correlate with clinical parameters (tumor stage, patient age, biomarkers)
Document statistically significant associations
Digital pathology:
Apply image analysis software for unbiased quantification
Measure both staining intensity and distribution
Generate reproducible numerical data
Molecular quantification:
Perform RT-qPCR for transcript level analysis
Use Western blot densitometry with appropriate normalization
Apply ELISA for standardized protein quantification
Published studies have successfully correlated MPZL1 expression with clinical parameters using these approaches, finding significant associations with tumor stage (p=0.01 for Stage III vs. I-II; p=0.02 for Stage IV vs. III) and biomarkers like CA125 (p=0.01) .
To investigate isoform-specific functions:
Molecular identification:
Isoform-specific tools:
Design isoform-specific siRNAs/shRNAs
Generate expression constructs for individual isoforms
Use antibodies recognizing isoform-specific epitopes
Functional comparison:
Perform rescue experiments with specific isoforms after knockdown
Compare subcellular localization patterns
Examine differential interaction partners
Expression pattern analysis:
Determine tissue-specific isoform distribution
Correlate specific isoforms with disease progression
Identify conditions that alter isoform ratios
Understanding isoform-specific functions is critical as research indicates that different MPZL1 variants may have distinct biological roles in normal and pathological conditions .
For effective FFPE tissue analysis:
Sample preparation:
Antigen retrieval:
Background reduction:
Antibody incubation:
Detection systems:
Published protocols have successfully detected MPZL1 in various cancer tissues using these parameters .
Systematic troubleshooting approaches:
Antibody validation:
Confirm specificity using positive controls (cancer cell lines) and negative controls (siRNA-treated samples)
Test antibody lot-to-lot variation against reference samples
Consider testing multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Sample quality assessment:
Evaluate protein degradation in lysates
Check fixation quality in tissue samples
Standardize sample collection and processing protocols
Technical optimization:
Titrate antibody concentrations
Modify blocking conditions (BSA, milk, commercial blockers)
Adjust incubation times and temperatures
Try different detection systems
Controls implementation:
Include positive and negative controls in every experiment
Use loading controls for Western blots
Apply standardized scoring systems for IHC
Comparative analysis of multiple experimental approaches can help reconcile inconsistent results, as demonstrated in studies showing correlation between protein levels, mRNA expression, and functional effects of MPZL1 .
To explore MPZL1's role in metastasis:
Migration and invasion assays:
Metastasis-related pathway analysis:
In vivo models:
Use MPZL1 knockdown or overexpression in xenograft models
Quantify metastatic burden in distant organs
Correlate MPZL1 expression with metastatic potential
Clinical sample analysis:
Compare MPZL1 expression between primary tumors and metastatic lesions
Correlate expression levels with patient outcomes
Develop prognostic scoring systems based on MPZL1 status
Research has established that MPZL1 promotes tumor metastasis in multiple cancer types, with mechanistic insights into its activation of pro-metastatic proteins and pathways .