NUDT18 antibody is a specialized immunological tool designed to detect and study the NUDT18 protein, a member of the Nudix hydrolase family. This protein, encoded by the NUDT18 gene (NCBI Gene ID: 79873), functions as an 8-oxo-dGDP phosphatase, hydrolyzing oxidized guanosine diphosphates to mitigate cellular oxidative damage . The antibody is critical for investigating NUDT18's roles in nucleotide metabolism, redox homeostasis, and its differential expression in cancerous vs. noncancerous tissues .
Host Species: Rabbit (polyclonal) or mouse (monoclonal clones: OTI5F9, OTI1B4) .
Reactivities: Primarily human, with cross-reactivity reported in rat, dog, cow, and other species in specific clones .
Molecular Weight: 36 kDa (observed) / 35.5 kDa (calculated) .
Substrate Specificity: NUDT18 hydrolyzes 8-oxo-dGDP with high specificity (k<sub>cat</sub>/K<sub>M</sub> = 1.2 × 10<sup>4</sup> M<sup>−1</sup>s<sup>−1</sup>) . Recent studies also reveal activity against isoprenoid pyrophosphates like geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), suggesting a role in cholesterol metabolism .
Cancer Relevance: NUDT18 expression is markedly reduced in cancerous cells, and its deficiency correlates with slowed proliferation .
| Substrate | K<sub>M</sub> (µM) | k<sub>cat</sub> (s<sup>−1</sup>) | k<sub>cat</sub>/K<sub>M</sub> (M<sup>−1</sup>s<sup>−1</sup>) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-oxo-dGDP | 3.7 | 0.45 | 1.2 × 10<sup>4</sup> |
| GGPP | 12.4 | 0.12 | 9.7 × 10<sup>3</sup> |
| Mevalonate PP | 8.9 | 0.08 | 9.0 × 10<sup>3</sup> |
Data derived from enzyme assays using recombinant NUDT18 .
Recent studies highlight NUDT18's interaction with isoprenoid pyrophosphates, linking it to metabolic pathways beyond nucleotide sanitization . Overexpression experiments demonstrate its capacity to reduce cellular cholesterol levels, suggesting therapeutic potential in lipid disorders .
NUDT18 (nudix hydrolase 18), also known as MTH3, belongs to the Nudix hydrolase family that eliminates potentially toxic nucleotide metabolites from cells. It regulates the concentrations and availability of various nucleotide substrates, cofactors, and signaling molecules . NUDT18 is specifically active against 8-oxo-dGDP and hardly cleaves 8-oxo-dGTP. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 36 kDa and consists of 323 amino acids . The enzyme plays a critical role in maintaining genome stability under oxidative stress by preventing the incorporation of damaged nucleotides into DNA.
NUDT18 antibodies can be utilized in multiple experimental applications depending on research needs and antibody specifications:
| Application | Typical Dilution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Immunoprecipitation (IP) | 0.5-4.0 μg for 1.0-3.0 mg of total protein lysate | Effective for isolating NUDT18 protein complexes |
| Immunofluorescence (IF)/ICC | 1:200-1:800 | Useful for cellular localization studies |
| Western Blot (WB) | Varies by antibody | For protein detection and quantification |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | Varies by antibody | For tissue localization studies |
| ELISA | Varies by antibody | For quantitative measurements |
| FACS | Varies by antibody | For cell sorting applications |
It is recommended that researchers titrate each reagent in their specific testing system to obtain optimal results, as outcomes may be sample-dependent .
NUDT18 antibodies should be stored at -20°C for long-term stability. They are typically stable for one year after shipment when stored properly. The common storage buffer is PBS with 0.02% sodium azide and 50% glycerol at pH 7.3 . Aliquoting is generally unnecessary for -20°C storage, which simplifies handling. Some antibody preparations (20μl sizes) may contain 0.1% BSA as a stabilizer . When working with the antibody, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles to maintain optimal activity.
The species reactivity of NUDT18 antibodies varies by product. From the search results, we can see the following patterns:
| Antibody Type | Species Reactivity |
|---|---|
| Polyclonal (ABIN7249196) | Human, Rat |
| Various Polyclonal Options | Human, Dog, Cow, Rabbit |
| Monoclonal Antibodies | Primarily Human |
| Other Variants | Human, Mouse |
Researchers should select antibodies based on their target experimental model, with human reactivity being the most commonly available .
NUDT18 exhibits markedly elevated expression in noncancerous cell lines compared to their cancerous counterparts . This differential expression suggests potential roles in cancer biology that warrant further investigation. NUDT18-deficient cells have been reported to exhibit a noticeably reduced proliferation rate , suggesting that NUDT18 may be important for normal cell growth and division. The inverse relationship between NUDT18 expression and cancer status presents an interesting avenue for research into whether NUDT18 functions as a tumor suppressor or is downregulated as a consequence of cancerous transformation.
As a member of the Nudix hydrolase family, NUDT18 plays a role in maintaining genome stability under oxidative stress . It specifically targets 8-oxo-dGDP, a product of oxidative damage to guanine nucleotides. By preventing the incorporation of oxidized nucleotides into DNA, NUDT18 helps prevent mutations and maintain genomic integrity. The specific activity against 8-oxo-dGDP but not 8-oxo-dGTP suggests a specialized role in the cellular response to oxidative damage that complements other Nudix family members like MTH1 and MTH2 . This functional specificity makes NUDT18 antibodies valuable tools for studying nucleotide pool sanitization mechanisms.
To optimize immunoprecipitation with NUDT18 antibodies for protein-protein interaction studies:
Lysate preparation: Use 1.0-3.0 mg of total protein lysate from cells known to express NUDT18 (e.g., THP-1 cells)
Antibody amount: Use 0.5-4.0 μg of NUDT18 antibody, titrating to find optimal conditions
Cross-linking considerations: For transient interactions, consider using chemical cross-linkers prior to cell lysis
Wash stringency: Adjust salt and detergent concentrations in wash buffers to balance between specificity and sensitivity
Controls: Include IgG control and input samples for comparison
Analysis: Use mass spectrometry or Western blotting to identify co-immunoprecipitated proteins
For studying NUDT18's role in the DNA damage response pathway, mild lysis conditions may better preserve protein complexes. Positive IP has been detected in THP-1 cells, making them a good model system for optimization .
Proper validation of NUDT18 antibodies is essential for reliable research outcomes:
| Validation Approach | Method | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Specificity Testing | Western blot with recombinant NUDT18 | Confirms target recognition |
| Knock-down/Knock-out Controls | siRNA or CRISPR against NUDT18 | Verifies signal specificity |
| Peptide Competition | Pre-incubation with immunogen peptide | Demonstrates binding specificity |
| Cross-reactivity Assessment | Testing against related Nudix family proteins | Ensures no off-target binding |
| Application-specific Validation | Positive control samples in target application | Confirms functionality in specific context |
| Reproducibility Testing | Multiple experimental replicates | Ensures consistent performance |
For immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence applications, additional validation should include subcellular localization confirmation against known NUDT18 distribution patterns .
When troubleshooting weak or non-specific signals with NUDT18 antibodies:
Sample preparation: Ensure proper cell lysis and protein extraction; NUDT18 is a 36 kDa protein that should be readily extractable with standard protocols
Antibody concentration: Adjust dilution ratios (e.g., try 1:200 instead of 1:800 for IF/ICC) to find optimal signal-to-noise ratio
Blocking optimization: Test different blocking agents (BSA, non-fat milk, serum) to reduce background
Incubation conditions: Extend primary antibody incubation time (overnight at 4°C instead of 1 hour at room temperature)
Detection systems: Try more sensitive detection methods (e.g., enhanced chemiluminescence for WB, tyramide signal amplification for IHC)
Positive controls: Include known NUDT18-expressing cells like THP-1
Epitope accessibility: Consider antigen retrieval methods for IHC or denaturation conditions for WB
Antibody selection: Different clones target different regions of NUDT18 (N-terminal, C-terminal, or specific domains); switch antibodies if one region might be masked
When investigating NUDT18's role in DNA damage responses:
Experimental timing: Establish appropriate time points post-DNA damage induction to capture dynamic changes in NUDT18 activity or localization
Damage specificity: Different damage types (oxidative, UV, ionizing radiation) may affect NUDT18 differently due to its substrate specificity for 8-oxo-dGDP
Cell type selection: Consider using both cancerous and non-cancerous cell lines given the differential expression patterns observed
Co-localization studies: Combine NUDT18 antibodies with markers of DNA damage (γH2AX) or repair pathways to assess spatial relationships
Functional assays: Complement antibody-based detection with enzymatic activity assays to correlate NUDT18 presence with function
Stress induction methods: When studying oxidative stress responses, carefully calibrate H₂O₂ or other oxidant concentrations to avoid overwhelming cellular systems
Genetic approaches: Consider using NUDT18 knockout/knockdown models alongside antibody studies to establish causality in observed phenotypes
NUDT18 (MTH3) functions as part of the MTH family alongside MTH1 and MTH2, all involved in sanitizing oxidized nucleotide pools:
| Protein | Primary Substrate | Expression Pattern | Role in Genome Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUDT18 (MTH3) | 8-oxo-dGDP (hardly cleaves 8-oxo-dGTP) | Higher in non-cancerous cells | Prevents incorporation of oxidized dGDP |
| MTH1 | 8-oxo-dGTP, 8-oxo-GTP | Widely expressed | Hydrolyzes oxidized purine nucleoside triphosphates |
| MTH2 | Various oxidized nucleotides | Variable | Complements MTH1 activity |
NUDT18's specificity for 8-oxo-dGDP represents a specialized niche in protecting genome integrity, focusing on a different part of the nucleotide metabolism pathway than other MTH proteins . The distinct substrate preferences suggest non-redundant, complementary roles in the cellular response to oxidative stress. According to research cited in the search results, these proteins collectively maintain genome stability under oxidative stress conditions .
For quantitative analysis of NUDT18 expression levels:
Sample normalization: Use housekeeping proteins appropriate for the experimental context and verify their stability under your conditions
Standard curves: For ELISA applications, generate reliable standard curves using recombinant NUDT18 protein
Loading control selection: When comparing cancerous vs. non-cancerous cells, select loading controls unaffected by cell transformation status
Antibody saturation: Ensure working within the linear range of antibody detection to avoid saturation effects that could mask real differences
Image analysis: For IF/ICC quantification, establish consistent exposure settings and analysis parameters across samples
Reference standards: Include well-characterized cell lines with known NUDT18 expression levels (e.g., THP-1) as internal reference points
Validation by orthogonal methods: Confirm antibody-based quantification with mRNA expression data or activity assays
Statistical considerations: Apply appropriate statistical tests based on data distribution and experimental design
For multiplexed imaging approaches with NUDT18 antibodies:
Antibody selection: Choose NUDT18 antibodies raised in different host species than other target proteins to avoid cross-reactivity
Fluorophore selection: Select fluorophores with minimal spectral overlap to reduce bleed-through
Optimization strategy:
Sequential staining protocols: For targets requiring antibodies from the same species, consider sequential staining with intermediate blocking steps
Sample preparation: Optimize fixation and permeabilization conditions that work for all target proteins
Imaging parameters: Establish consistent acquisition settings for quantitative comparisons across experimental conditions
Analysis considerations: Use appropriate computational tools for spectral unmixing and co-localization analysis
Novel research directions using NUDT18 antibodies in cancer biology:
Biomarker development: Investigate NUDT18 as a potential diagnostic or prognostic marker based on its differential expression in cancerous versus non-cancerous cells
Therapeutic targeting assessment: Use antibodies to monitor NUDT18 levels following treatment with compounds designed to modulate oxidative stress responses
Cell cycle regulation studies: Explore the relationship between NUDT18 expression/localization and cell cycle progression, particularly given the reduced proliferation rate in NUDT18-deficient cells
DNA damage response: Investigate NUDT18's role in cancer cells' response to chemotherapeutic agents that induce oxidative stress
Tumor microenvironment: Examine how NUDT18 expression in cancer cells is affected by hypoxia, inflammation, or other microenvironmental factors
Cancer stem cell biology: Compare NUDT18 levels between cancer stem cells and differentiated tumor cells to identify potential roles in stemness
Resistance mechanisms: Study whether alterations in NUDT18 expression correlate with resistance to specific cancer therapies
Personalized medicine applications: Determine if NUDT18 expression levels could predict response to particular treatment modalities
When publishing research using NUDT18 antibodies, adhere to the following best practices:
Antibody reporting: Provide complete information including catalog number (e.g., ABIN7249196), clone (for monoclonals), host species, and target epitope information
Validation documentation: Include details of antibody validation performed specifically for your experimental context
Reproducibility considerations: Report number of experimental replicates and statistical approaches
Methodological transparency: Detail antibody dilutions, incubation conditions, detection methods, and image acquisition parameters
Controls description: Clearly describe all positive and negative controls used to validate findings
Limitations acknowledgment: Discuss any limitations related to antibody cross-reactivity or specificity
Data availability: Consider sharing original unprocessed images or other raw data
Citation practice: Cite the relevant publications that characterize NUDT18's function (e.g., its role in genome stability under oxidative stress)