Modified conjugation protocols involving lyophilization increase HRP-to-antibody ratios by 28-fold compared to classical methods, improving ELISA detection limits to 1:5,000 dilutions . While specific data for OSTN-HRP conjugates is limited, general HRP-antibody studies demonstrate:
OSTN antibodies show cross-reactivity with post-translationally modified isoforms, critical given osteocrin's structural variability. Validation methods include:
UV-Vis Spectroscopy: Peak shifts from 280 nm (antibody) to 430 nm (HRP) confirm conjugation
SDS-PAGE: Immobile bands at ~170 kDa confirm intact IgG-HRP complexes
Achieves linear detection range of 0.1–10 ng/ml using TMB substrate
Lyophilized conjugates maintain 95% activity after 6 months at 4°C
This antibody targets Osteocrin (OSTN), a hormone that regulates dendritic growth in the developing cerebral cortex in response to sensory experiences. Following membrane depolarization in the brain, OSTN is induced and subsequently inhibits dendritic branching in cortical neurons. Its mechanism of action likely involves binding to natriuretic peptide receptor NPR3/NPR-C, preventing the binding of natriuretic peptides and thus increasing cGMP production.
OSTN Antibody, HRP conjugated consists of antibodies against Osteocrin (OSTN, also known as Musclin) that are covalently linked to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme. Osteocrin is a hormone that acts as a regulator of dendritic growth in the developing cerebral cortex in response to sensory experience and is induced in the brain following membrane depolarization .
The primary applications of OSTN Antibody, HRP conjugated include:
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): Most commonly used for this antibody, particularly in sandwich ELISA applications
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): For tissue section analysis, though application notes should be consulted
Western Blotting: When used with appropriate substrates for detection
The conjugated HRP provides enzyme activity for detection using appropriate substrate systems, enabling colorimetric or chemiluminescent visualization depending on the substrate employed .
Proper storage is critical for maintaining the activity and specificity of HRP-conjugated antibodies. For OSTN Antibody, HRP conjugated:
For long-term storage, -20°C is recommended with small aliquots to prevent freeze-thaw cycles
Avoid sodium azide as a preservative since it is an irreversible inhibitor of HRP
Some formulations are provided in stabilizer solutions containing components like ProClin Compound as a preservative
When stored under recommended conditions, the antibody is typically stable until the expiration date indicated on the product
Proper storage significantly impacts experimental reproducibility and sensitivity.
The choice of buffer is critical for maintaining antibody activity. Optimal conditions include:
Recommended buffers: 10-50mM amine-free buffers (e.g., HEPES, MES, MOPS, and phosphate) with pH range 6.5-8.5
Compatible additives: EDTA and common non-buffering salts and sugars have little effect on conjugation efficiency
Avoid: Buffers containing nucleophilic components such as primary amines and thiols (e.g., thiomersal/thimerosal) as they may react with conjugation chemicals
Tris tolerance: Moderate concentrations of Tris buffer (<20mM) may be tolerated
Sodium azide: Must be avoided as it irreversibly inhibits HRP activity
For dilutions:
Recommended dilution range for ELISA is from 1:4,000 to 1:20,000
The optimal dilution must be determined empirically for each specific application
Some suppliers provide specialized conjugate stabilizers like LifeXtend HRP conjugate stabilizer to protect from negative environmental factors
The detection mechanism of HRP-conjugated antibodies is based on enzymatic activity:
Binding process: The OSTN antibody binds specifically to its target antigen (Osteocrin/Musclin protein)
Enzymatic conversion: The conjugated HRP enzyme catalyzes the conversion of substrate molecules in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)
Signal generation: This enzymatic reaction produces detectable products:
Chromogenic detection: Substrates like diaminobenzidine (DAB) are converted into water-insoluble brown pigments
Other substrates: ABTS, TMB, and TMBUS can also be used, yielding different colored products
Chemiluminescent detection: When used with appropriate substrates, light is emitted that can be captured on film or by digital imaging systems
Amplification effect: Each HRP molecule can process multiple substrate molecules, creating signal amplification that enhances detection sensitivity
This direct conjugation allows for more streamlined workflows by eliminating the need for secondary antibodies, particularly valuable in time-consuming protocols .
Before using OSTN Antibody, HRP conjugated in critical experiments, researchers should evaluate:
Critical Quality Parameters:
Enzyme activity: Confirm HRP enzyme activity using a small aliquot and standard substrate
Specificity: Validate using positive and negative control samples with known OSTN expression
Sensitivity: Determine the lower limit of detection through serial dilutions of target protein
Background signal: Assess non-specific binding by including appropriate negative controls
Batch-to-batch consistency: Compare performance metrics with previous lots if available
Validation Methods:
Strip test validation: Quick immunochromatography tests can confirm successful HRP conjugation without specialized equipment
Dot blot analysis: Apply known concentrations of target protein to membrane and detect with the antibody
Western blot of control lysates: Confirm correct molecular weight detection and minimal cross-reactivity
Manufacturers often provide specifications like the Reinheitszahl (RZ) value (>3.0 for many products) which indicates the ratio of A403/A275, reflecting HRP purity .
Optimizing OSTN detection in complex samples requires multifaceted approaches:
Sample Preparation Optimization:
Pre-clearing samples: Remove potential interfering proteins using appropriate pre-adsorption methods
Blocking optimization: Test different blocking agents (BSA, casein, non-fat milk) to minimize background while maintaining specific signal
Buffer composition: Adjust salt concentration and detergent levels to improve signal-to-noise ratio
Antibody Usage Strategies:
Titration experiments: Systematically test antibody concentrations from 1:4,000 to 1:20,000 to determine the optimal dilution that maximizes signal while minimizing background
Incubation conditions: Optimize temperature and duration for antigen-antibody binding
Signal enhancement: Consider using amplification systems like tyramide signal amplification for ultra-sensitive detection
Sequential detection: In multiplex assays, carefully plan the order of detection to prevent interference
Substrate Selection Based on Application Needs:
Substrate | Sensitivity | Characteristics | Best Application |
---|---|---|---|
DAB | Moderate | Brown precipitate, stable | IHC, permanent slides |
TMB | High | Blue product | ELISA, colorimetric |
ECL reagents | Very high | Luminescence | Western blot, low abundance targets |
ABTS | Moderate | Soluble green product | ELISA, kinetic studies |
Advanced Controls:
Include gradient controls of recombinant OSTN protein (28-133aa) for quantitative calibration
Use tissue samples with known differential OSTN expression patterns as biological controls
The performance of OSTN Antibody, HRP conjugated varies across detection platforms:
Platform Comparison:
Cross-Platform Considerations:
The HRP moiety maintains consistent activity across platforms, but antibody binding kinetics may differ
For quantitative cross-platform comparisons, include identical standard curves
Recombinant OSTN protein (28-133aa) can serve as a standardized control across different platforms
The molar ratio between antibody and HRP (ideally between 1:4 and 1:1) affects performance in different applications
Advanced troubleshooting may require determining whether limitations are due to the antibody binding (affinity/avidity) or the HRP detection component.
Multiplexed detection involving OSTN Antibody, HRP conjugated requires careful experimental design:
Sequential Detection Approaches:
Stripping and reprobing:
Spectral separation:
Use chromogenic substrates with distinct absorption spectra
Digital imaging with appropriate filters can distinguish signals
Consider the order of detection, proceeding from weakest to strongest signal
Compatible Multiplexing Pairs:
OSTN antibody (HRP conjugated) can be paired with antibodies using alternative enzymes like alkaline phosphatase
For fluorescent multiplexing, parallel staining with OSTN antibody conjugated to FITC can complement HRP detection
When studying neural development, pair OSTN (HRP) with antibodies against natriuretic peptide receptor NPR3/NPR-C to investigate their interaction pathway
Critical Control Experiments:
Single-staining controls to establish baseline signals
Absorption controls to verify spectral separation
Order-of-addition controls to confirm no cross-interference
Cross-reactivity assessment between all components in the multiplex system
Troubleshooting inconsistent signal intensity requires systematic investigation:
Potential Causes and Solutions:
Advanced Approaches:
Implement quantitative image analysis tools to objectively measure signal intensity
Use dilution series of recombinant OSTN protein (28-133aa) to create standard curves for normalization
Specialized HRP conjugate stabilizers like LifeXtend HRP can protect against degradation and extend shelf-life
For critical experiments, consider a conjugation check kit to verify HRP activity before proceeding
OSTN Antibody, HRP conjugated offers valuable insights for neural development research:
Experimental Applications in Neuroscience:
Map OSTN expression patterns in developing cerebral cortex in response to sensory experience
Investigate dendritic growth regulation mechanisms in neurons following membrane depolarization
Study interactions between OSTN and natriuretic peptide receptor NPR3/NPR-C signaling
Examine downstream cGMP production in neural development pathways
Methodological Considerations:
When studying brain tissue, special attention to fixation protocols is required to preserve both antigen accessibility and tissue architecture
For developing neurons, consider using this antibody in combination with markers for dendritic growth and branching
Time-course experiments can track OSTN expression changes during critical periods of neural development
Research Implications:
The detection of OSTN by this antibody can provide insights into activity-dependent processes in neural development
Understanding OSTN's role in dendritic branching has implications for studying neuroplasticity mechanisms
The OSTN/NPR3/cGMP pathway investigation may reveal novel therapeutic targets for neurodevelopmental disorders
Advanced experimental design might include correlating OSTN expression (detected via HRP-conjugated antibody) with electrophysiological measurements of neuronal activity and morphological changes in dendritic architecture.