The HRP-conjugated antibody is optimized for ELISA assays, enabling quantitative detection of NRG1 in biological samples. Its specificity arises from targeting the Pro-neuregulin-1 isoform, which undergoes proteolytic cleavage to release active NRG1 . Beyond ELISA, NRG1 antibodies (including non-conjugated variants) are used in:
Western Blot: Detecting post-translational modifications (e.g., O-glycosylation) .
Immunohistochemistry: Localizing NRG1 in tissues like the heart and mammary gland .
Behavioral Studies: Anti-NRG1 antibodies have been used to model schizophrenia-like phenotypes by blocking NRG1-ERBB signaling in mice, inducing motor dysfunction and synaptic transmission deficits .
NRG1-ERBB Pathway: The antibody disrupts NRG1 binding to ERBB receptors, impairing downstream signaling (e.g., MAPK/ERK and AKT pathways) .
Synaptic Plasticity: NRG1 stabilizes synapses via receptor-independent signaling, modulating actin dynamics (e.g., p-cofilin levels) .
Schizophrenia: Anti-NRG1 treatment in mice recapitulates behavioral and neurological features of schizophrenia, including social withdrawal and cognitive impairments .
Cancer: NRG1 overexpression is linked to tumor growth and differentiation, particularly in breast cancer .
NRG1 (Neuregulin-1) is a direct ligand for ERBB3 and ERBB4 tyrosine kinase receptors that concomitantly recruits ERBB1 and ERBB2 coreceptors, resulting in ligand-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the ERBB receptors . It performs diverse functions including inducing growth and differentiation of epithelial, glial, neuronal, and skeletal muscle cells; inducing expression of acetylcholine receptor in synaptic vesicles during neuromuscular junction formation; stimulating lobuloalveolar budding and milk production in the mammary gland; inducing differentiation of mammary tumor cells; stimulating Schwann cell proliferation; and contributing to myocardial development including trabeculation of the developing heart . Certain isoforms, such as isoform 10, may play specific roles in motor and sensory neuron development .
NRG1 is referred to by numerous synonyms in scientific literature, which can cause confusion during literature searches. Common alternative designations include:
Pro-neuregulin-1, membrane-bound isoform (Pro-NRG1)
Acetylcholine receptor-inducing activity (ARIA)
Breast cancer cell differentiation factor p45
Glial growth factor (GGF, GGF2)
Heregulin (HRG, HGL, HRGA)
Neu differentiation factor (NDF)
Understanding these alternative names is crucial when conducting comprehensive literature searches on NRG1-related research.
NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated typically consists of a rabbit polyclonal antibody against NRG1 that has been conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme . The commercially available versions are often raised against recombinant human Pro-neuregulin-1, membrane-bound isoform protein (specifically amino acids 75-176) . The antibody is generally of IgG isotype and is supplied in liquid form with a buffer containing preservatives (0.03% Proclin 300), 50% glycerol, and 0.01M PBS at pH 7.4 . Most preparations are purified using Protein G with purity exceeding 95% .
Based on the search results, NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated has been primarily validated for ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) applications . While the HRP-conjugated format is specifically optimized for ELISA, unconjugated versions of NRG1 antibodies might be suitable for additional applications including Western Blot (WB), Immunocytochemistry (ICC), Immunofluorescence (IF), Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Flow Cytometry (FCM), and neutralization assays . Researchers should verify the specific applications for their particular antibody product, as applications can vary between manufacturers and clone types. For experimental planning, it's advisable to conduct pilot validation studies when applying this antibody to applications beyond the manufacturer's recommendations.
Proper storage is crucial for maintaining antibody functionality. Upon receipt, NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated should be stored at either -20°C or -80°C . It is important to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles as this can damage the antibody structure and compromise the HRP conjugate activity . For working aliquots, researchers should divide the stock solution into single-use aliquots before freezing to minimize freeze-thaw cycles. The antibody is typically provided in a storage buffer containing 50% glycerol, 0.01M PBS (pH 7.4), and 0.03% Proclin 300 as a preservative , which helps maintain stability during storage. Monitoring the age of the reagent is also important, as HRP activity can decrease over time even with optimal storage conditions.
When optimizing ELISA protocols with NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated, researchers should consider several parameters:
Antibody titration: Perform a checkerboard titration to determine optimal antibody concentration, typically starting with the manufacturer's recommended dilution and testing 2-fold serial dilutions above and below this concentration.
Blocking optimization: Test different blocking agents (BSA, non-fat milk, commercial blockers) to minimize background while maintaining specific signal.
Incubation conditions: Optimize both temperature (4°C, room temperature, 37°C) and duration (1-24 hours) for antibody binding.
Substrate development: When using HRP-conjugated antibodies, the choice of substrate (TMB, ABTS, OPD) and development time significantly impacts sensitivity and dynamic range.
Washing stringency: Determine the optimal number of washes and washing buffer composition to reduce background without losing specific signal.
These optimization steps should be performed systematically, changing one variable at a time while monitoring both signal-to-noise ratio and reproducibility.
Research into HER4-selective agonism can benefit from NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated in several sophisticated ways. NRG1 is a natural peptide ligand for ErbB family members HER3 and HER4 . Recent advances have developed antibody ligand mimetics (ALM) by incorporating complex ligand agonists such as NRG1 into antibody scaffolds . In this context, NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated can be employed to:
Validate the binding specificity of engineered ALM molecules to their targets through competitive binding assays.
Quantify HER4 activation levels in response to novel ligand mimetics compared to natural NRG1 through phosphorylation-specific ELISA.
Track receptor internalization dynamics following ligand engagement using antibody-based detection systems.
This application connects with recent developments where researchers have optimized linker and ligand length to achieve native ligand activity and used monomeric Fc-ligand fusion platforms to direct ligand specificity toward HER4-dominant agonism . The HRP conjugation allows for sensitive detection in these complex experimental setups.
Addressing cross-reactivity with other ErbB family members requires sophisticated methodological approaches:
Sequential immunodepletion: Samples can be pre-incubated with antibodies against potential cross-reactive ErbB family members (ERBB1, ERBB2) before analysis with NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated.
Competitive binding assays: Utilizing recombinant ERBB3 and ERBB4 proteins at varying concentrations can help determine the relative binding affinity and specificity of the antibody.
Knockout/knockdown validation: Results should be validated in cell lines with CRISPR-mediated knockout or siRNA knockdown of individual ErbB family members to confirm signal specificity.
Receptor-specific blocking: Pre-treating samples with receptor-specific blocking peptides can help determine which signals are attributable to specific ErbB family members.
Parallel analysis with receptor-specific antibodies: Running parallel assays with antibodies specific to each ErbB family member provides comparative data for distinguishing specific from non-specific signals.
These approaches are particularly relevant given that NRG1 naturally interacts with multiple ErbB family members, recruiting ERBB1 and ERBB2 coreceptors alongside its direct targets ERBB3 and ERBB4 .
Distinguishing between different NRG1 isoforms is methodologically challenging but critical for understanding isoform-specific functions. Advanced approaches include:
Epitope mapping: Determine the exact epitope recognized by the NRG1 Antibody through peptide array analysis or hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to identify isoform-specific regions.
Isoform-specific immunoprecipitation: Perform immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry analysis to identify which specific isoforms are being captured by the antibody.
Combinatorial antibody strategy: Use multiple antibodies targeting different regions of NRG1 to create an isoform-specific detection pattern.
RNA-protein correlation: Correlate antibody-based protein detection with isoform-specific RT-PCR data to validate the presence of specific isoforms.
Recombinant isoform panel validation: Test antibody reactivity against a panel of recombinant NRG1 isoforms to establish a specificity profile.
This is particularly important given that NRG1 has multiple isoforms performing diverse functions in various tissues, from neuronal development to mammary gland function .
False-positive signals when using NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated can arise from multiple sources that require specific mitigation strategies:
| Source of False Positive | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|
| Endogenous peroxidase activity | Pre-incubate samples with hydrogen peroxide to quench endogenous peroxidase activity |
| Non-specific antibody binding | Optimize blocking conditions; include non-immune IgG from the same host species as additional control |
| Cross-reactivity with related proteins | Include competitive blocking with recombinant NRG1 protein to confirm signal specificity |
| Sample matrix interference | Prepare standard curves in the same matrix as samples to account for matrix effects |
| Hook effect at high analyte concentrations | Perform serial dilutions of samples to ensure measurements fall within the linear range |
| Edge effects in ELISA plates | Utilize only interior wells or pre-incubate plates at assay temperature before adding reagents |
Implementing these strategies systematically can significantly improve signal specificity and reduce false-positive rates in experimental systems using this antibody.
Data normalization for NRG1 expression comparisons across different tissues or cell types requires sophisticated approaches:
Multiple reference controls: Utilize at least three housekeeping proteins with proven stability across the tissue/cell types being compared. Traditional options like β-actin or GAPDH may not maintain consistent expression across all tissues.
Tissue-specific calibration: Develop tissue-specific standard curves using recombinant NRG1 spiked into tissue/cell lysates to account for matrix-specific signal suppression or enhancement.
Ratiometric analysis: Express NRG1 levels as a ratio to total protein concentration determined by methods independent of antibody detection (BCA, Bradford).
Internal reference samples: Include a common reference sample across all experimental runs to facilitate inter-assay normalization.
Absolute quantification: Consider using a strictly quantitative approach like AQUA (Absolute Quantification) peptides as internal standards for mass spectrometry validation.
These approaches become particularly important when studying NRG1 across diverse tissue types, as its expression and function vary significantly between neural, cardiac, mammary, and other tissues .
Analyzing dose-response data from NRG1 signaling experiments requires sophisticated statistical approaches:
These statistical approaches help researchers rigorously quantify NRG1 signaling dynamics, particularly important given its complex interactions with multiple ErbB receptors and downstream signaling pathways .
NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated can make significant contributions to research on NRG1-fusion positive cancers through several methodological approaches:
Diagnostic biomarker development: The antibody can be employed in developing ELISA-based diagnostic assays to detect aberrant NRG1 protein expression or fusion proteins in patient samples.
Therapeutic response monitoring: Quantitative assays using this antibody can track changes in NRG1 signaling pathway activity following targeted therapies directed at the fusion protein or downstream pathways.
Mechanistic studies: The antibody can help elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which NRG1 fusion proteins drive oncogenesis through aberrant ERBB receptor activation.
Patient stratification: Developing immunohistochemical protocols using this antibody (or its unconjugated counterpart) could help stratify patients for clinical trials of targeted therapies.
Resistance mechanism investigation: The antibody can be used to study compensatory signaling pathways that emerge during resistance to targeted therapies in NRG1 fusion-positive cancers.
These applications leverage the specificity of the antibody to advance precision medicine approaches for this molecular subtype of cancer, which relies on aberrant NRG1 signaling through its receptors ERBB3 and ERBB4 .
Adapting NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated for single-cell protein analysis requires several methodological innovations:
Microfluidic ELISA platforms: Miniaturize traditional ELISA protocols using microfluidic devices capable of processing single cells and detecting the HRP signal with high sensitivity.
Signal amplification systems: Incorporate tyramide signal amplification (TSA) or rolling circle amplification (RCA) to enhance detection sensitivity at the single-cell level.
Multiplexed detection: Develop protocols for simultaneous detection of NRG1 alongside other signaling proteins using spectrally distinct substrates for HRP.
Single-cell Western blot integration: Adapt the antibody for use in single-cell Western blot platforms, which separate proteins from individual cells prior to antibody detection.
Mass cytometry adaptation: Convert the HRP-conjugated antibody to metal-tagged formats compatible with CyTOF or similar mass cytometry platforms for high-dimensional single-cell analysis.
Proximity ligation adaptation: Modify the approach to incorporate proximity ligation assay (PLA) principles for detecting protein-protein interactions at the single-cell level.
These adaptations would enable researchers to study heterogeneity in NRG1 expression and signaling across individual cells within complex tissues or tumor samples, providing insights not available from bulk analysis approaches.
Computational approaches can significantly enhance the interpretation of data generated using NRG1 Antibody, HRP conjugated:
Machine learning for pattern recognition: Apply supervised learning algorithms to identify patterns in ELISA data that correlate with specific biological states or treatment responses.
Network analysis integration: Integrate NRG1 signaling data with protein-protein interaction networks to contextualize findings within broader signaling landscapes.
Pathway enrichment algorithms: Employ computational tools to identify enriched biological pathways when NRG1 signaling data is combined with other -omics datasets.
Dynamic modeling: Develop ordinary differential equation (ODE) models of NRG1 signaling dynamics that incorporate quantitative data from antibody-based assays to predict system behavior under various conditions.
Image analysis automation: For tissue-based applications, implement deep learning algorithms for automated quantification of staining patterns and cellular localization.
Multi-omics data integration: Combine antibody-generated protein data with transcriptomic, genomic, and metabolomic data using computational frameworks to develop comprehensive biological insights.
These computational approaches transform raw experimental data into biological insights by placing NRG1 signaling in its proper context within complex cellular systems and disease states.