OR51Q1 Antibody

What is OR51Q1 and what cellular functions does it perform?

OR51Q1 (Olfactory receptor, family 51, subfamily Q, member 1) is a member of the large family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that function in olfactory sensing. These receptors interact with odorant molecules in the nose to initiate neuronal responses that trigger smell perception. OR51Q1 features a characteristic 7-transmembrane domain structure shared with many neurotransmitter and hormone receptors and is responsible for the recognition and G protein-mediated transduction of odorant signals . The olfactory receptor gene family represents the largest gene family in the human genome, with independent nomenclature systems across different organisms .

What are the recommended applications for OR51Q1 antibodies?

OR51Q1 antibodies are validated for several experimental applications, with varying recommended dilutions:

• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): 1:50-1:200 dilution

• Immunohistochemistry-Paraffin (IHC-P): 1:50-1:200 dilution

• Western Blot (WB): 1:1000 starting dilution

• ELISA: 1:10000 dilution

• Immunofluorescence (IF): 1:100-1:500 or 1:200-1:1000 dilution

These applications allow researchers to investigate OR51Q1 expression, localization, and interactions in various experimental contexts .

What species reactivity is expected with commercial OR51Q1 antibodies?

Most commercially available OR51Q1 antibodies are primarily validated for human samples . Some antibodies show cross-reactivity with mouse and rat OR51Q1, with sequence identity of approximately 69% to mouse and 73% to rat orthologs . When using these antibodies for non-human samples, additional validation is recommended to confirm specificity, particularly when studying evolutionarily divergent species .

How should I optimize OR51Q1 antibody concentration for immunohistochemistry?

For immunohistochemistry optimization with OR51Q1 antibodies:

• Begin with the manufacturer's recommended dilution range (typically 1:50-1:200)

• Perform a titration experiment using serial dilutions across this range

• Include appropriate positive controls (tissues known to express OR51Q1)

• Include negative controls (primary antibody omission and ideally tissue known not to express OR51Q1)

• Evaluate signal-to-noise ratio, background staining, and specific staining patterns

• If using paraffin-embedded tissues, optimize antigen retrieval methods (heat-induced epitope retrieval is often effective)

• Consider blocking optimization if background remains high

The optimal working dilution should be determined empirically for each specific application and tissue type .

What storage conditions are recommended to maintain OR51Q1 antibody activity?

For optimal preservation of OR51Q1 antibody activity:

• Short-term storage (up to several weeks): Store at 4°C

• Long-term storage: Store at -20°C

• Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by preparing small aliquots upon receipt

• Most OR51Q1 antibodies are supplied in formulations containing:

  • PBS (pH 7.2-7.5)

  • 40-50% glycerol (cryoprotectant)

  • 0.02% sodium azide (preservative)

  • Sometimes 0.5% BSA (stabilizer)

These conditions help maintain antibody stability and prevent degradation that could compromise experimental results .

How can I validate the specificity of an OR51Q1 antibody for my experimental system?

To validate OR51Q1 antibody specificity:

• Perform Western blot analysis to confirm target size (expected molecular weight: ~35 kDa)

• Use positive and negative control tissues/cells with known OR51Q1 expression profiles

• Consider peptide competition assays using the immunogen peptide

• For critical applications, validate results with a second antibody targeting a different epitope

• If possible, use OR51Q1 knockout/knockdown controls

• Check for cross-reactivity against related olfactory receptors, particularly those in the OR51 family

• Verify antibody specificity on a protein array containing target protein plus other non-specific proteins

Some manufacturers report specificity verification using protein arrays containing target protein plus 383 non-specific proteins .

How do I interpret immunohistochemistry results when studying olfactory receptors like OR51Q1 in non-olfactory tissues?

Interpreting OR51Q1 staining in non-olfactory tissues requires careful consideration:

• Cross-validate with multiple detection methods (e.g., IF, IHC, ISH, RT-PCR)

• Include appropriate positive controls (olfactory epithelium) and negative controls

• Consider that ectopic expression of olfactory receptors outside the olfactory system has been documented in various tissues

• When detecting novel expression patterns, confirm with higher resolution techniques such as confocal microscopy

• Co-stain with cell-type specific markers to identify the exact cell population expressing OR51Q1

• Use caution interpreting moderate to weak staining without corroborating evidence

• Consider functional validation through calcium imaging or other functional assays if claiming physiological relevance

Unexpected OR51Q1 expression could represent genuine ectopic expression, cross-reactivity, or experimental artifacts, necessitating thorough validation .

What epitope regions of OR51Q1 are targeted by different commercial antibodies, and how might this affect experimental outcomes?

Different commercial OR51Q1 antibodies target distinct epitope regions:

• N-terminal region: Some antibodies target the sequence "MSQVTNTTQEGIYFILTDIPGFEASH"

• C-terminal region: Other antibodies target C-terminal epitopes

• Extracellular domains: Some target epitopes within extracellular domains

• Mid-region (268-317): Some antibodies specifically target this region

These epitope differences can significantly impact experimental outcomes:

• Antibodies targeting different regions may yield different staining patterns

• N-terminal antibodies may detect truncated variants missed by C-terminal antibodies

• Extracellular domain antibodies may be more suitable for non-permeabilized cells

• Epitope accessibility can differ between applications (WB vs. IHC)

• Post-translational modifications near the epitope might affect antibody binding

For critical experiments, using antibodies targeting different epitopes can provide more comprehensive results .

What challenges might arise when studying OR51Q1 expression in heterologous expression systems?

Researchers studying OR51Q1 in heterologous expression systems face several challenges:

• Poor surface trafficking: Many olfactory receptors, including OR51Q1, show inefficient trafficking to the plasma membrane in heterologous cells

• Protein misfolding: These 7-transmembrane proteins often misfold when overexpressed

• Post-translational modifications: Differences in glycosylation patterns between native tissue and expression systems

• Receptor inactivation: Spontaneous activation or inactivation in artificial environments

• Co-factor requirements: Many ORs require accessory proteins (e.g., RTP1, RTP2) for proper function

• Detergent sensitivity: The hydrophobic nature of OR51Q1 makes it difficult to solubilize while maintaining native conformation

Potential solutions include:

• Using specialized vectors with N-terminal fusion tags (e.g., Lucy, Rho tags) to enhance surface expression

• Co-expression with RTP1/RTP2 chaperones

• Utilizing specialized cell lines (e.g., Hana3A) optimized for OR expression

• Careful detergent selection for solubilization experiments

• Temperature adjustment during expression (30°C rather than 37°C) .

What are common causes of false positive or false negative results when using OR51Q1 antibodies?

Common causes of false results with OR51Q1 antibodies include:

False Positives:

• Cross-reactivity with related olfactory receptors (the OR gene family is the largest in the genome)

• Excessive antibody concentration leading to non-specific binding

• Insufficient blocking of endogenous peroxidases or biotin

• Inadequate washing between steps

• Tissue autofluorescence (in IF applications)

• Endogenous biotin interference (in biotin-based detection systems)

False Negatives:

• Insufficient antigen retrieval (particularly in formalin-fixed tissues)

• Epitope masking due to fixation methods

• Low OR51Q1 expression levels below detection threshold

• Degraded or inactive antibody due to improper storage

• Suboptimal incubation conditions (temperature, duration)

• Use beyond recommended dilution range

To minimize these issues, include appropriate controls, optimize protocols for each sample type, and validate findings with complementary approaches .

How can I differentiate between specific and non-specific binding when using OR51Q1 antibodies?

To differentiate between specific and non-specific binding:

• Control experiments:

  • Primary antibody omission control

  • Isotype control (irrelevant antibody of same isotype/host)

  • Peptide competition assay using immunizing peptide

  • Tissue from OR51Q1 knockout models (if available)

• Technical considerations:

  • Evaluate staining pattern (specific patterns vs. diffuse background)

  • Compare multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes

  • Examine tissues known to express or lack OR51Q1

  • Correlate protein detection with mRNA expression data

  • Perform signal specificity tests (e.g., dilution series)

• Signal characteristics:

  • Specific signals should correlate with expected subcellular localization

  • Signal intensity should follow a dose-response relationship with antibody concentration

  • Specific signals should be reproducible across technical and biological replicates

  • Specific staining typically shows clear cellular delineation rather than diffuse patterns .

What quality control measures should be performed when receiving a new lot of OR51Q1 antibody?

When receiving a new lot of OR51Q1 antibody, implement these quality control measures:

• Documentation review:

  • Check certificate of analysis for lot-specific QC data

  • Review lot-to-lot variation information if available

  • Verify immunogen sequence matches your research needs

• Performance validation:

  • Run a positive control sample previously tested with earlier lots

  • Perform titration experiment to confirm optimal dilution

  • Verify expected molecular weight on Western blot (if applicable)

  • Confirm expected cellular/subcellular localization pattern

• Comparative analysis:

  • Compare staining intensity and pattern with previous lots

  • Evaluate background levels relative to previous experience

  • Document any differences observed for future reference

• Storage verification:

  • Confirm proper shipping conditions were maintained

  • Aliquot immediately to prevent freeze-thaw degradation

  • Store according to manufacturer recommendations .

How might post-translational modifications of OR51Q1 affect antibody binding and experimental results?

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) can significantly impact OR51Q1 antibody binding:

• Common PTMs affecting OR51Q1:

  • N-linked glycosylation at asparagine residues in extracellular domains

  • Palmitoylation of cysteine residues (important for GPCR trafficking)

  • Phosphorylation at serine/threonine residues (affecting signaling)

  • Ubiquitination (regulating protein turnover)

• Experimental implications:

  • Epitopes containing or adjacent to PTM sites may show variable antibody accessibility

  • Denatured vs. native applications may reveal different binding patterns

  • Glycosylation can alter apparent molecular weight in gel-based applications

  • Cell-type specific PTM patterns may affect detection across tissues

• Mitigation strategies:

  • Use antibodies targeting multiple epitopes

  • Consider enzymatic removal of specific PTMs before analysis

  • Compare results from multiple experimental approaches

  • Verify unmodified status of target if using antibodies labeled as targeting "unmodified" epitopes .

What are the implications of studying OR51Q1 in disease contexts, and how should antibody-based experiments be designed?

When studying OR51Q1 in disease contexts:

• Experimental design considerations:

  • Include matched normal/disease tissue pairs when possible

  • Utilize tissue microarrays for screening across multiple disease samples

  • Consider fixation differences between archival and fresh samples

  • Implement quantitative analysis methods for objective comparisons

  • Account for disease-associated changes in tissue architecture

• Interpretation challenges:

  • Altered OR51Q1 expression may be cause or consequence of disease

  • Inflammation may alter antibody penetration and non-specific binding

  • Changes in protein localization may be as important as expression levels

  • Background tissue components may differ between normal and disease states

• Validation approaches:

  • Correlate protein expression with mRNA data

  • Use multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes

  • Consider functional validation in appropriate model systems

  • Include sufficient biological replicates to account for disease heterogeneity .

How do OR51Q1 antibodies perform in multiplexed immunoassays, and what technical considerations are important?

For multiplexed immunoassays with OR51Q1 antibodies:

• Compatibility factors:

  • Host species combinations (avoid same-species primary antibodies)

  • Fluorophore selection to minimize spectral overlap

  • Primary antibody concentration balancing for comparable signal intensity

  • Sequential vs. simultaneous incubation optimization

• Technical considerations:

  • Antibody cross-reactivity testing is essential

  • Careful selection of blocking reagents to prevent non-specific binding

  • Optimized antigen retrieval that works for all target epitopes

  • Sequential detection may be required if antibodies have incompatible conditions

• Analysis approaches:

  • Use spectral unmixing for closely overlapping fluorophores

  • Implement single-stain controls for accurate compensation

  • Consider signal amplification for low-abundance targets

  • Use appropriate negative controls for each antibody in the panel

When properly optimized, multiplexed approaches can reveal OR51Q1 co-localization with interacting partners or cell-type specific markers .