OR3A2 Antibody

Basic Research Questions

• What is OR3A2 and where is it expressed in human tissues?

  OR3A2 (Olfactory Receptor Family 3 Subfamily A Member 2) is a member of the olfactory receptor family, which belongs to the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily. OR3A2 has been detected in various human tissues, with notable expression in human spermatozoa, specifically localized to the midpiece region . The protein has a calculated molecular weight of approximately 35 kDa, although it may appear at around 72 kDa in Western blot analyses due to post-translational modifications . The gene is registered in various databases with UniProt Primary AC: P47893 and alternative accession numbers Q6IFM3 and Q9P1Q3 . Current research indicates expression patterns in human, mouse, and rat tissues, with specific localization patterns that suggest specialized functions in reproductive biology beyond traditional olfactory roles.

• What applications are OR3A2 antibodies validated for?

  OR3A2 antibodies have been validated for multiple experimental applications including:

  Application	Validated Dilution Range	Notes
  Western Blot (WB)	1:500 - 1:3000	Detects OR3A2 protein expression levels
  Immunofluorescence (IF)	1:100 - 1:1000	For cellular localization studies
  Immunocytochemistry (ICC)	1:100 - 1:500	For subcellular distribution analysis
  ELISA	1:10000	For quantitative detection

  These applications have been tested across multiple commercial antibodies with consistent results . When designing experiments, researchers should optimize the dilutions based on their specific experimental conditions and sample types.

• What are the recommended storage and handling conditions for OR3A2 antibodies?

  For optimal performance and longevity of OR3A2 antibodies, follow these storage and handling guidelines:

  • Store concentrated stock at -20°C for long-term preservation (up to one year)

  • For frequent use, store working aliquots at 4°C for up to one month

  • Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles which can compromise antibody activity and specificity

  • Most commercial OR3A2 antibodies are supplied in buffer containing PBS with 50% glycerol, 0.5% BSA, and 0.02% sodium azide

  • Always centrifuge briefly before opening vials to ensure all liquid is at the bottom

  • When diluting, use recommended buffers for specific applications (e.g., blocking solution for immunostaining)

  Proper handling is critical for maintaining antibody performance, particularly for sensitive applications like immunofluorescence where background issues can mask specific signals.

• What controls should be included when using OR3A2 antibodies?

  Rigorous experimental design requires appropriate controls when using OR3A2 antibodies:

  • Positive Control: Use tissues or cell lines with known OR3A2 expression. Human sperm samples have been validated as positive controls, specifically showing midpiece localization

  • Negative Control: Include samples where primary antibody is omitted or replaced with non-immune serum of the same species

  • Specificity Control: Consider using recombinantly expressed OR3A2 in Hana3A cells, which has been established as a system for validating olfactory receptor antibodies

  • Blocking Peptide Control: When available, pre-incubate antibody with the immunizing peptide to confirm signal specificity

  • Cross-Reactivity Assessment: Test antibody performance on closely related olfactory receptors to ensure selectivity for OR3A2

  Documentation of these controls is essential for publication-quality research and validation of experimental findings.