KEGG: ecj:JW3493
STRING: 316385.ECDH10B_3702
pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated is a polyclonal antibody derived from rabbit host species that targets Cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase PdeH (also known as yhjH) from Escherichia coli. The antibody has been conjugated with biotin to facilitate detection in various assay systems. Its key specifications include:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Species | Rabbit |
| Clonality | Polyclonal |
| Target | Cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase PdeH (pdeH, yhjH) |
| UniprotID | P37646 |
| Immunogen | Recombinant Escherichia coli Cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase PdeH protein (1-255AA) |
| Species Reactivity | Escherichia coli |
| Tested Applications | ELISA |
| Isotype | IgG |
| Conjugate | Biotin |
| Buffer | Preservative: 0.03% Proclin 300, Constituents: 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4 |
| Form | Liquid |
| Purification Method | >95%, Protein G purified |
The antibody is specifically designed for detecting the pdeH protein in Escherichia coli samples, with validated application in ELISA techniques .
Biotin conjugation to antibodies involves attaching biotin molecules to surface-exposed lysine residues on the antibody structure. This process creates a biological marker that can be detected through the biotin-streptavidin/avidin interaction, which is one of the strongest non-covalent interactions in biology.
The biotin-streptavidin interaction is characterized by:
Extremely high affinity (Kd ≈ 10^-15 M)
Resistance to extreme conditions including pH changes, temperature variations, and denaturants
Tetravalent binding (each streptavidin molecule can bind four biotin molecules)
This conjugation creates a two-step detection system:
The biotinylated antibody binds to the target antigen (pdeH in this case)
A streptavidin-conjugated reporter molecule (enzyme, fluorophore, etc.) binds to the biotin tag, enabling signal detection
It's important to note that biotinylation may potentially affect antibody function if lysine residues in the antigen-binding site are modified. Researchers should consider this possibility when designing experiments and validating conjugated antibodies .
Proper storage is critical for maintaining the activity of biotinylated antibodies. For pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated:
| Storage Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Short-term storage | 4°C (up to 18 months) |
| Long-term storage | -20°C to -80°C |
| Avoid | Repeated freeze-thaw cycles |
| Recommended format | With cryoprotectant (e.g., 50% glycerol) for frozen storage |
When storing at frozen temperatures, aliquoting the antibody is recommended to prevent repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The recommended protocol includes:
Upon receipt, if immediate use is not planned, store at -20°C or ideally -80°C
For thawing, place the vial at room temperature or in a refrigerator until completely thawed
Mix gently by inversion or very brief vortexing
Keep on ice during use
Return to appropriate storage temperature immediately after use
These storage conditions help maintain the structural integrity of both the antibody and the biotin conjugate, preserving functionality for experimental applications .
When designing ELISA experiments with pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated, researchers should address several methodological considerations:
Assay Format Selection:
Two main formats are applicable for biotinylated antibodies:
Direct Detection (Type A approach): The biotinylated antibody binds the target, followed by detection with streptavidin-labeled reporter
Capture Format (Type B approach): Streptavidin is immobilized on a surface, which captures the biotinylated antibody-antigen complex
Optimization Protocol:
| Parameter | Optimization Approach |
|---|---|
| Antibody Concentration | Titration (typical range: 0.1-10 μg/mL) |
| Blocking Buffer | Test multiple options (e.g., BSA, casein, commercial blockers) |
| Detection System | Compare different streptavidin conjugates (HRP, AP, fluorescent) |
| Incubation Times | Optimize primary binding (1-16h) and detection (30min-2h) |
| Washing Stringency | Determine optimal wash buffer composition and number of washes |
Critical Controls:
Negative control without primary antibody
Negative control with isotype-matched biotinylated control antibody
Known positive E. coli samples expressing pdeH
Blocking of endogenous biotin (if working with samples containing endogenous biotin)
When optimizing detection, researchers should consider that the assay's sensitivity can be enhanced through signal amplification strategies like poly-HRP-streptavidin systems, which provide multiple HRP molecules per binding event .
When encountering specificity issues with pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated in complex bacterial samples, researchers can implement a systematic troubleshooting approach:
Validation of Antibody Specificity:
Knockout Controls: Test the antibody on pdeH-knockout strains of E. coli
Recombinant Protein Analysis: Use purified recombinant pdeH protein as a positive control
Western Blot Analysis: Verify specificity by molecular weight determination
Peptide Competition Assay: Pre-incubate the antibody with excess pdeH peptide to confirm binding specificity
Addressing Cross-Reactivity:
| Issue | Solution Approach |
|---|---|
| Endogenous biotin | Pre-block samples with avidin or streptavidin |
| Bacterial Fc receptors | Add non-specific IgG to blocking solution |
| Non-specific binding | Increase blocking agent concentration and include detergents (0.05-0.1% Tween-20) |
| High background | Increase wash stringency and duration |
Advanced Specificity Enhancement:
Pre-adsorption: Incubate antibody with lysates from non-target bacteria to remove cross-reactive antibodies
Affinity Purification: Further purify the antibody against immobilized pdeH protein
Sequential Epitope Analysis: Identify specific epitopes recognized by the antibody to predict potential cross-reactivity
When working with complex microbial communities, additional separation techniques such as fractionation or pre-enrichment of target bacteria may be necessary to improve detection specificity .
While pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated is primarily validated for ELISA applications, researchers may adapt it for flow cytometry analysis of bacterial samples with the following methodological considerations:
Sample Preparation Protocol:
Culture E. coli under appropriate conditions for pdeH expression
Fix cells (typically 2-4% paraformaldehyde for 15-30 minutes)
Permeabilize cell membranes (0.1-0.5% Triton X-100 or similar detergent)
Block non-specific binding sites (2-5% BSA in PBS)
Incubate with pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated (titrated concentration)
Wash thoroughly (3-5 times with PBS containing 0.1% Tween-20)
Incubate with fluorophore-conjugated streptavidin (e.g., streptavidin-PE, -APC, or -FITC)
Wash and analyze by flow cytometry
Critical Parameters for Optimization:
| Parameter | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Fixation Method | Impact on epitope accessibility and cellular autofluorescence |
| Permeabilization | Sufficient for intracellular access without excessive damage |
| Signal Amplification | Secondary amplification systems for low-abundance targets |
| Fluorophore Selection | Spectral properties and potential for compensation |
| Controls | Unstained, single-stained, and isotype controls essential |
Advanced Analysis Strategies:
Use multi-parameter analysis to correlate pdeH expression with other phenotypic markers
Consider RNA-protein correlation using simultaneous DNA staining
Implement time-course studies to analyze dynamic changes in pdeH expression
For bacterial applications specifically, researchers should account for the small cell size by adjusting forward and side scatter parameters accordingly, and may need to implement specialized flow cytometry protocols designed for microbial cells .
Biotin conjugation can potentially affect antibody binding properties through several mechanisms that researchers should consider:
Structural Impact Assessment:
The addition of biotin molecules to lysine residues may alter the antibody's binding characteristics depending on:
The distribution of lysine residues within the antibody structure
The degree of biotinylation (biotin:antibody ratio)
Proximity of modified lysines to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs)
Quantitative Analysis of Binding Changes:
| Parameter | Method of Assessment |
|---|---|
| Binding Affinity | Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) comparison before and after conjugation |
| Epitope Accessibility | Competitive binding assays with unconjugated antibody |
| Functional Activity | Dose-response curves comparing native and biotinylated antibody |
| Biotin:Antibody Ratio | HABA (4'-hydroxyazobenzene-2-carboxylic acid) assay |
Optimization Strategies:
Controlled Biotinylation: Using NHS-PEG-Biotin reagents that provide spacing between the antibody and biotin moiety
Site-Specific Conjugation: Targeting non-essential regions away from the antigen-binding site
Validation: Comparing activity of conjugated versus unconjugated antibody through parallel assays
Research indicates that maintaining a biotin:antibody ratio between 3:1 and 8:1 typically preserves antibody function while providing sufficient biotin for detection. Higher ratios can lead to precipitation, aggregation, or significant loss of binding capability .
Validating pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated for cyclic di-GMP signaling research requires comprehensive characterization using the following methodological approaches:
Functional Validation Protocol:
Expression Correlation: Compare antibody detection with qRT-PCR measurement of pdeH mRNA levels
Induction Studies: Analyze antibody detection in samples with regulated pdeH expression
Activity Correlation: Relate antibody signal to cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase activity measurements
Phenotype Association: Link antibody detection with known phenotypes associated with pdeH expression (biofilm formation, motility)
Advanced Technical Validation:
| Validation Approach | Methodology |
|---|---|
| Mass Spectrometry Correlation | Immunoprecipitation followed by LC-MS/MS identification |
| Multiplexed Detection | Co-staining with antibodies against interacting proteins |
| Genetic Manipulation | Response to gene knockout, knockdown, and overexpression |
| Crosslinking Studies | In vivo protein-protein interaction verification |
Cyclic di-GMP Pathway-Specific Validation:
Measure how pdeH detection correlates with cyclic di-GMP cellular levels
Analyze pdeH antibody detection during phenotypic transitions known to involve cyclic di-GMP signaling
Validate antibody utility in differentiating active vs. inactive pdeH states
Establish detection limits in the context of natural expression levels in different growth conditions
This comprehensive validation approach ensures that the pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated provides reliable data for studying the role of pdeH in cyclic di-GMP signaling networks governing bacterial physiology and biofilm formation .
Adapting pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated for microscopy-based localization studies requires careful technical considerations:
Sample Preparation Protocol:
Culture bacteria under conditions relevant to the research question
Fix cells (4% paraformaldehyde, 15-30 minutes)
Adhere cells to poly-L-lysine coated slides or coverslips
Permeabilize cell membranes (0.1-0.2% Triton X-100, 5-10 minutes)
Block (2-5% BSA, 1 hour)
Incubate with pdeH Antibody, Biotin conjugated (4°C, overnight)
Wash thoroughly (PBS with 0.05% Tween-20, 3-5 times)
Incubate with fluorophore-conjugated streptavidin (room temperature, 1-2 hours)
Counterstain (DAPI for nucleoid, membrane dyes if needed)
Mount and image
Optimization Parameters for Microscopy:
| Parameter | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Signal Amplification | TSA (tyramide signal amplification) for low-abundance targets |
| Resolution Requirements | Consider super-resolution techniques for precise localization |
| Multicolor Imaging | Spectral separation when combining with other stains |
| Z-stack Acquisition | Capture full bacterial cell volume |
| Deconvolution | Software processing to enhance resolution |
Advanced Localization Techniques:
Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy (CLEM): Combine fluorescence localization with ultrastructural context
Single-Molecule Localization: Use photo-switchable fluorophores with streptavidin for super-resolution
Live-Cell Imaging Adaptations: Consider membrane-permeable streptavidin conjugates for minimally-fixed samples
When studying the subcellular localization of pdeH, researchers should consider its potential association with the cell membrane and the possibility of localization changes during different growth phases or environmental conditions. These considerations inform the selection of appropriate microscopy techniques and sample preparation methods .
Implementing advanced quantitative analysis of pdeH expression using biotin-conjugated antibodies requires sophisticated methodological approaches:
Quantitative Analysis Protocol:
Establish a standard curve using recombinant pdeH protein
Develop quantitative ELISA or flow cytometry assays calibrated to absolute protein numbers
Implement single-cell analysis techniques to assess population heterogeneity
Correlate antibody signal with functional readouts of cyclic di-GMP levels
Advanced Quantification Strategies:
| Analytical Approach | Methodology |
|---|---|
| Digital ELISA | Single-molecule array (Simoa) for ultrasensitive detection |
| Imaging Flow Cytometry | Combined spatial and expression level analysis |
| Mass Cytometry | Metal-labeled streptavidin for high-dimensional analysis |
| Computational Modeling | Integrate expression data into regulatory network models |
Population Heterogeneity Analysis:
Statistical Methods: Apply mixture modeling to identify subpopulations
Time-Series Analysis: Track dynamic changes in expression distributions
Spatial Mapping: Correlate expression with position in biofilm structures
Lineage Tracking: Combine with genetic barcoding for lineage-resolved expression analysis
Validation Framework:
Researchers should implement internal controls and normalization strategies, including:
Spike-in controls with known concentrations of recombinant pdeH
Reference gene products for normalization
Biological replicates across multiple growth conditions
Technical replicates to establish measurement precision
These approaches enable researchers to move beyond qualitative detection to precise quantification of pdeH expression levels, facilitating more sophisticated analyses of cyclic di-GMP signaling dynamics in bacterial populations .