The NUSAP1 antibody (catalog 12024-1-AP) is a rabbit-derived polyclonal antibody targeting human NUSAP1, a protein critical for mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. It is widely used in research to investigate NUSAP1's roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cancer progression .
This antibody has been utilized in diverse experimental contexts:
Cancer Biology: Detecting NUSAP1 overexpression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) , hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) , and pituitary adenomas .
Mitotic Studies: Visualizing spindle microtubule organization and chromosome dynamics .
Immune Modulation: Assessing correlations between NUSAP1 expression and immune cell infiltration (e.g., regulatory T cells, macrophages) .
CLL: NUSAP1 knockdown reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis in CLL cells, linked to impaired DNA damage repair via RAD51 .
HCC: High NUSAP1 expression correlated with G1/S phase transition acceleration and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments .
Pan-Cancer Analysis: Elevated NUSAP1 levels predicted poor immunotherapy response in melanoma, lung, and kidney cancers .
Microtubule Stabilization: NUSAP1 stabilizes mitotic microtubules, with degradation regulated by the APC/C ubiquitin ligase complex .
Immune Interactions: In HCC, NUSAP1 expression inversely correlated with cytotoxic T cells but positively associated with immunosuppressive macrophages and regulatory T cells .
The antibody is compatible with standard protocols for:
Western Blot: Recommended for detecting NUSAP1 in lysates from cancer cell lines.
Immunohistochemistry: Validated in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor sections.
Immunofluorescence: Used to localize NUSAP1 in mitotic spindles .
Prognostic Biomarker: High NUSAP1 expression is associated with shorter survival in multiple cancers .
Therapeutic Target: Experimental inhibition of NUSAP1 reduced proliferation in lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells .
Immunotherapy Prediction: Low NUSAP1 levels correlated with better responses to CTLA-4 blockade in HCC .
NUSAP1 antibodies have been validated for multiple research applications:
| Application | Recommended Dilution | Validated Cell/Tissue Types |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot (WB) | 1:5000-1:50000 | HEK-293, HeLa, Jurkat cells |
| Immunoprecipitation (IP) | 0.5-4.0 μg for 1.0-3.0 mg protein lysate | HeLa cells |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | 1:50-1:500 | Human prostate cancer tissue, human colon cancer tissue |
| Immunofluorescence (IF/ICC) | 1:50-1:500 | HeLa cells |
For optimal results, antibody dilutions should be titrated for each specific experimental system .
NUSAP1 antibodies are typically supplied in PBS buffer with 0.02% sodium azide and 50% glycerol at pH 7.3. They should be stored at -20°C where they remain stable for up to one year after shipment. Aliquoting is unnecessary for -20°C storage. Some preparations may contain 0.1% BSA for increased stability. Always follow manufacturer specifications for the specific antibody being used .
The calculated molecular weight of NUSAP1 is 49 kDa (440 amino acids), but the observed molecular weight typically appears between 47-52 kDa on SDS-PAGE gels. This slight discrepancy may be due to post-translational modifications or the specific sample preparation methods .
For rigorous experimental design when using NUSAP1 antibodies:
Positive controls: Use cell lines known to express NUSAP1 such as HEK-293, HeLa, or Jurkat cells
Negative controls: Include:
Loading controls: For Western blots, use housekeeping proteins like GAPDH
Isotype controls: Include matched isotype rabbit IgG for polyclonal antibodies
These controls are essential for validating specificity and reducing false-positive results .
For optimal IHC detection of NUSAP1:
Antigen retrieval method: Use TE buffer at pH 9.0 (primary recommendation) or citrate buffer at pH 6.0 (alternative)
Blocking procedure: Block with goat serum for 30 minutes at 37°C
Antibody incubation: Use 1:100 working concentration and incubate overnight at 4°C
Visualization system: 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine (DAB) system works effectively
Scoring method: Implement a combined scoring system considering both staining intensity and percentage of stained cells:
0-2 scores (–)
3-4 scores (+)
5-8 scores (++)
9-12 scores (+++)
This protocol has been validated in studies examining NUSAP1 expression in ovarian cancer tissues .
NUSAP1 expression is cell cycle-dependent with distinct dynamics:
Protein levels: Peak during mitosis and decrease rapidly following cell division
Temporal pattern: Following synchronized release from nocodazole block, NUSAP1 protein levels remain detectable for approximately 28 hours
Subcellular localization changes:
Prometaphase: Diffuse staining pattern without specific structure localization
Later mitotic phases: More organized localization, though not uniformly distributed across the entire mitotic spindle like most microtubule-binding proteins
Interphase: Minimal expression
For accurate assessment of NUSAP1 cell cycle dynamics, immunofluorescent imaging coupled with synchronized cell populations provides the most reliable results .
NUSAP1 shows differential expression across tissues and cell types:
High expression:
CD34+CD90+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)
Leukemic cell lines
B lymphoblasts
Various cancer tissues (notably in HCC, ovarian cancer, and AML)
Low expression:
Most differentiated normal tissues
This expression pattern suggests NUSAP1 may serve as a marker for stem-like or proliferative cell populations, particularly in cancer contexts .
NUSAP1 has significant correlations with cancer outcomes:
For prognostic studies, immunohistochemical analysis with standardized scoring systems provides the most clinically relevant data .
NUSAP1 has been implicated in chemotherapy resistance pathways:
Cisplatin resistance in HCC:
NUSAP1 knockdown enhances sensitivity to cisplatin
siRNA-mediated NUSAP1 suppression results in:
Decreased IC50 values for cisplatin
Increased DNA damage (measured by comet assay)
Elevated γ-H2AX protein expression (DNA damage marker)
Experimental approach:
Use NUSAP1 antibodies in Western blot to assess NUSAP1 expression
Compare control vs. knockdown cells treated with different cisplatin concentrations
Combine with DNA damage assays (comet assay and γ-H2AX immunoblotting)
This experimental workflow can effectively evaluate the role of NUSAP1 in chemoresistance mechanisms .
NUSAP1 expression correlates with immune cell infiltration in tumors, making it valuable for immune microenvironment studies:
Correlation analysis approaches:
Compare NUSAP1 expression with 22 immune cell subtypes using computational methods
Divide samples into high/low NUSAP1 expression groups and analyze differences in immune infiltration
Significant immune cell correlations (across multiple datasets):
T cells CD4 memory resting and activated
Macrophages M0 and M2
Dendritic cells resting
NK cells resting
B cells memory
T cells regulatory (Tregs)
Experimental workflow:
Use NUSAP1 antibodies for IHC or IF to assess expression in tumor samples
Perform multicolor immunofluorescence to co-localize NUSAP1 with immune cell markers
Correlate NUSAP1 expression with immune cell quantification
This approach has been validated in HCC studies using both ICGC and TCGA databases .
NUSAP1 shows significant positive correlations with immune checkpoint molecules:
Analysis method:
Divide samples into high/low NUSAP1 expression groups
Compare expression levels of key immune checkpoint molecules between groups
Perform correlation analysis between NUSAP1 and checkpoint molecules
Key findings:
High NUSAP1 expression correlates with elevated levels of immune checkpoint molecules
Positive correlations observed with multiple checkpoint molecules
Suggests potential role in immunotherapy response prediction
Application in research:
NUSAP1 antibodies can be used to stratify patient samples for immunotherapy response studies
May serve as companion biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
These correlations suggest NUSAP1 may be valuable as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy response .
Common technical challenges and solutions:
High background in immunostaining:
Increase blocking time and concentration (5% BSA or 10% normal serum)
Optimize antibody concentration (start with 1:100 dilution for IHC/IF)
Ensure proper washing steps (minimum 3x5 minutes with PBST)
Multiple bands in Western blot:
Verify expected molecular weight (47-52 kDa)
Increase blocking stringency
Use freshly prepared lysates to minimize degradation
Include protease inhibitor cocktails in lysis buffers
Weak or no signal in cell cycle studies:
Consider cell synchronization (NUSAP1 expression peaks during mitosis)
Verify mitotic index in your samples (NUSAP1 expression is highest in M phase)
Use positive control cell lines (HeLa, Jurkat cells)
Antibody validation approach:
Perform siRNA knockdown experiments as validation controls
Compare results across multiple antibody clones if available
These troubleshooting approaches are based on published methodologies and technical protocols .
For accurate NUSAP1 quantification:
Western blot quantification:
Use LI-COR or other quantitative blotting systems
Normalize to loading controls (GAPDH)
Use gradient dilutions to ensure linearity of signal
IHC scoring systems:
Implement standardized scoring system (e.g., H-score = intensity × percentage)
Consider digital pathology for more objective quantification
Use automated analysis software when possible
Flow cytometry approach:
Suitable for cell cycle studies
Combine with cell cycle markers (PI staining)
Analyze mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)
RT-qPCR normalization:
Reference genes: GAPDH, β-actin
Use Δ-Δ Ct method for relative quantification
Validate PCR efficiency with standard curves
These quantification methods have been employed in studies examining NUSAP1 in cancer cells and tissues .
NUSAP1 has emerging roles in DNA damage response pathways:
Experimental approaches:
Combine NUSAP1 antibodies with DNA damage markers (γ-H2AX, 53BP1)
Perform co-immunoprecipitation to identify NUSAP1 interaction partners in DNA repair complexes
Assess NUSAP1 localization changes before/after DNA damage induction
Relevance to cancer research:
NUSAP1 knockdown increases cisplatin-induced DNA damage
Correlation with BRCA1/2 expression suggests potential role in homologous recombination
Associated with p53 signaling pathway
Recommended methodology:
Comet assay to quantify DNA damage
Immunofluorescence co-localization studies
Proximity ligation assay (PLA) to detect protein-protein interactions
These approaches can elucidate the emerging role of NUSAP1 in DNA damage response and repair .
NUSAP1 shows promise as a therapeutic target:
Target validation approaches:
Use antibodies to assess NUSAP1 expression across patient samples
Correlate expression with treatment outcomes
Perform siRNA or CRISPR knockdown to evaluate phenotypic effects
Therapeutic development applications:
Screen for small molecule inhibitors that disrupt NUSAP1 function
Use antibodies to evaluate target engagement
Develop antibody-drug conjugates targeting NUSAP1
Biomarker applications:
Stratify patients for clinical trials
Monitor treatment response
Predict prognosis in various cancer types
Combined approaches:
Assess NUSAP1 inhibition in combination with established therapies
Evaluate synergy with DNA-damaging agents (e.g., cisplatin)
Explore potential with immunotherapeutic approaches
These research directions leverage NUSAP1's roles in cell cycle regulation, cancer progression, and potential impact on therapeutic response .