PDLIM5 (PDZ and LIM domain 5), formerly known as enigma homolog (ENH), is a cytoplasmic protein containing a PDZ domain at the N-terminus and LIM domains at the C-terminus. Its significance as a research target stems from its:
Role as a scaffold protein that tethers protein kinases to the Z-disk in striated muscles
Function in cardiomyocyte expansion and restraining postsynaptic growth of excitatory synapses
Involvement in mood disorders, with expression upregulated in the postmortem brains of patients with bipolar disorder and downregulated in peripheral lymphocytes of patients with major depression
Multiple transcript variants resulting from alternative splicing, indicating complex regulatory mechanisms
The multifaceted functions of PDLIM5 make it an important target in both neurological and cardiovascular research domains.
Several PDLIM5 antibodies with different specifications are available for research applications:
When selecting the appropriate antibody, researchers should consider the specific application, target species, and conjugation requirements of their experimental design.
Proper storage and handling are crucial for maintaining antibody functionality:
The polyclonal antibody (10530-1-AP) is stable for one year after shipment when stored at -20°C, and aliquoting is unnecessary for this storage temperature
The HRP-conjugated polyclonal antibody (QA61845) should be stored at -20°C or -80°C, with repeated freeze-thaw cycles being avoided to prevent degradation of activity
Buffer compositions typically include:
For optimal results, always equilibrate antibodies to room temperature before opening, and quickly return them to proper storage conditions after use.
For optimal Western blot detection of PDLIM5:
Sample preparation:
Recommended protocol:
Run samples on a polyacrylamide gel suitable for 63-68 kDa protein separation
Transfer to PVDF membrane
For unconjugated antibodies (10530-1-AP): Dilute 1:500-1:2000 in blocking buffer
For HRP-conjugated monoclonal antibody (TA504449BM): Dilute 1:2000
For unconjugated antibodies, use appropriate secondary antibody (e.g., HRP-conjugated anti-rabbit IgG at 1:10,000 dilution)
Detect using chemiluminescent substrate
Exposure time of approximately 10 seconds has been successful
Positive controls include HeLa cells, A549 cells, HUVEC cells, and NIH/3T3 cells, which have demonstrated detectable PDLIM5 expression .
The PDLIM5 gene generates multiple splice variants, making isoform-specific detection crucial, particularly in neuropsychiatric research:
Isoform characterization:
Optimization strategies:
Perform Western blot analysis with appropriate molecular weight markers to distinguish isoforms (ENH1 and ENH2 have different molecular weights)
Use isoform-specific antibodies if available, or design experiments with antibodies targeting common regions
Include positive controls with known isoform expression patterns
Consider using RT-PCR to validate isoform expression at the mRNA level before protein analysis
Neuropsychiatric applications:
Careful optimization of antibody dilution, incubation conditions, and detection methods is essential for reliable isoform discrimination.
For successful co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) studies with PDLIM5 antibodies:
Antibody selection:
Protocol optimization:
Extract protein under non-denaturing conditions to preserve protein-protein interactions
Pre-clear lysates with protein A/G beads to reduce non-specific binding
Incubate with antibody overnight at 4°C for optimal antigen binding
Consider using a crosslinking approach to covalently attach the antibody to beads, reducing antibody contamination in the final sample
Include appropriate negative controls (non-specific IgG from the same species)
Interaction analysis:
A549 cells have been successfully used for PDLIM5 immunoprecipitation studies and can serve as a positive control system .
Contradictory results in PDLIM5 expression studies may be due to several factors:
Methodological considerations:
Antibody specificity: Ensure antibodies detect the correct isoforms across different tissues
Sample preparation: Different extraction methods may yield varying results
Normalization strategies: Use appropriate housekeeping genes or proteins for each tissue type
Detection methodologies: Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry have different sensitivities
Biological variables:
Tissue-specific expression patterns: PDLIM5 expression varies naturally between tissues
Disease state variations:
Treatment effects:
Reconciliation approach:
Perform parallel analyses using multiple detection methods
Include appropriate positive and negative controls for each tissue type
Consider using genetic models with altered PDLIM5 expression (e.g., heterozygous knockout mice) to validate antibody specificity
Document all experimental conditions thoroughly to enable accurate comparison across studies
Researchers should also consider that PDLIM5 heterozygous knockout mice show behavioral differences compared to wild-type mice, including reduced methamphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity and increased immobility time in forced swimming tests .
For optimal immunohistochemistry (IHC) detection of PDLIM5:
Tissue preparation and antigen retrieval:
Antibody selection and dilution:
Tissue-specific considerations:
Neuronal tissues: PDLIM5 is implicated in mood disorders, making brain tissue analysis particularly relevant
Cardiac tissues: Given PDLIM5's role in cardiomyocyte expansion, specialized protocols may be needed
Protocol optimization should be performed for each tissue type
Signal detection and analysis:
Use appropriate detection systems based on primary antibody host species
Include negative controls (primary antibody omission and isotype controls)
Quantify staining using appropriate image analysis software
Document magnification and exposure settings for reproducibility
Researchers should validate their IHC protocol by comparing results with other detection methods such as Western blotting or fluorescence microscopy when possible.
For optimizing flow cytometry detection of PDLIM5:
Cell preparation:
Harvest cells using methods that preserve cell surface and intracellular protein integrity
Fixation and permeabilization are crucial for detecting PDLIM5, as it is a cytoplasmic protein
Use fixation buffers containing formaldehyde (2-4%) followed by permeabilization with saponin or Triton X-100
Antibody selection and staining:
Use the HRP-conjugated monoclonal antibody (TA504449BM) at a 1:100 dilution for flow cytometry applications
If using unconjugated primary antibodies, select fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies with appropriate excitation/emission profiles for your cytometer
Include compensation controls when using multiple fluorophores
Add blocking steps (using serum from the same species as the secondary antibody) to reduce non-specific binding
Gating strategies for heterogeneous populations:
Use forward and side scatter to eliminate debris and select viable cells
Include lineage markers to identify specific cell subpopulations
Consider using markers for subcellular compartments to verify PDLIM5 localization
Develop hierarchical gating strategies to analyze PDLIM5 expression in different cell types within a mixed population
Controls and validation:
Include negative controls (unstained cells, isotype controls)
Use positive controls (cell lines with known PDLIM5 expression such as HeLa, A549, HUVEC, or NIH/3T3 cells)
Validate flow cytometry results with other methods like Western blotting or immunofluorescence
Consider using PDLIM5 knockdown or overexpression systems as additional controls
This approach enables quantitative analysis of PDLIM5 expression across different cell types within complex tissue-derived samples.
Given the established connection between PDLIM5 and mood disorders, researchers can utilize these antibodies in several ways:
Expression analysis in mood disorder models:
Compare PDLIM5 protein levels in postmortem brain tissues from patients with bipolar disorder, major depression, and healthy controls
Analyze PDLIM5 expression in peripheral lymphocytes as a potential biomarker for major depression
Investigate regional brain expression patterns using immunohistochemistry with the polyclonal antibody (10530-1-AP) at 1:50-1:500 dilution
Drug response studies:
Monitor PDLIM5 expression changes in response to mood-stabilizing medications
Research has shown that:
Use Western blot with the PDLIM5 antibody to correlate mRNA changes with protein expression
Behavioral models:
Studies in Pdlim5 heterozygous knockout mice revealed:
Researchers can use PDLIM5 antibodies to correlate behavioral outcomes with protein expression in specific brain regions
Mechanistic investigations:
Use co-immunoprecipitation with PDLIM5 antibodies to identify interaction partners in neuronal tissues
Investigate the role of PDLIM5 in signaling pathways relevant to mood regulation
These approaches can provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying mood disorders and potentially identify new therapeutic targets.
Robust experimental design requires appropriate controls:
Technical controls:
Loading controls: Use housekeeping proteins like beta-actin for Western blot normalization
Antibody specificity controls:
Include PDLIM5 knockout or knockdown samples when possible
Use multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes to confirm specificity
Quantification controls: Include standard curves when performing quantitative analyses
Biological controls:
Positive expression controls: Use cell lines with confirmed PDLIM5 expression (HeLa, A549, HUVEC, NIH/3T3 cells)
Negative expression controls: Use tissues or cell lines with minimal PDLIM5 expression
Treatment response controls: Include established treatments with known effects on PDLIM5 expression (e.g., methamphetamine, haloperidol, imipramine)
Experimental condition controls:
Time course experiments: Collect samples at multiple time points to differentiate transient from sustained expression changes
Dose-response experiments: Use multiple concentrations of treatments to identify threshold effects
Environmental variables: Control for factors like circadian rhythms, stress, and age that might affect PDLIM5 expression
Validation across methodologies:
Compare protein detection methods (Western blot, IHC, flow cytometry) to confirm expression patterns
Correlate protein expression with mRNA levels using RT-PCR or RNA-seq
By implementing these controls, researchers can ensure that observed changes in PDLIM5 expression are specific, reproducible, and biologically relevant.
To investigate PDLIM5's role in cardiac function:
Model systems selection:
Primary cardiomyocytes: Isolate from different species to study species-specific functions
Cardiac cell lines: Use established lines like H9c2 or HL-1 for initial screening
Animal models: Consider normal and disease models (e.g., heart failure, hypertrophy)
Human samples: Obtain from healthy donors and patients with cardiac pathologies
Expression analysis methodology:
Use Western blot with PDLIM5 antibody (10530-1-AP) at 1:500-1:2000 dilution to quantify protein levels
Perform immunohistochemistry on cardiac tissue sections to analyze spatial distribution using 1:50-1:500 dilution
Employ immunofluorescence to co-localize PDLIM5 with structural proteins like α-actinin
Functional studies:
Modulate PDLIM5 expression using:
siRNA or shRNA knockdown
CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
Overexpression systems
Assess functional outcomes:
Cardiomyocyte contractility
Calcium handling
Electrophysiological properties
Response to stress (mechanical, oxidative, ischemic)
Protein interaction studies:
Use co-immunoprecipitation with PDLIM5 antibody (0.5-4.0 μg for 1.0-3.0 mg of total protein lysate) to identify cardiac-specific binding partners
Investigate interactions with protein kinases, which PDLIM5 is known to tether as a scaffold protein
Perform proximity ligation assays to confirm interactions in situ
Developmental studies:
Analyze PDLIM5 expression during cardiac development
Investigate its role in cardiomyocyte expansion and differentiation
These approaches will help elucidate PDLIM5's role in normal cardiac physiology and potential contributions to pathological conditions.
To resolve contradictory findings on PDLIM5 function:
Systematic methodological evaluation:
Standardize experimental protocols across different cellular contexts
Use the same antibody lots and dilutions when comparing different systems
Implement similar protein extraction, detection, and quantification methods
For Western blot applications, use 1:500-1:2000 dilution of polyclonal antibody (10530-1-AP)
For immunoprecipitation, use 0.5-4.0 μg antibody for 1.0-3.0 mg of total protein lysate
Isoform-specific analysis:
Determine which PDLIM5 isoforms are expressed in each cellular context
Design experiments to detect specific isoforms when possible
Consider that different isoforms may have distinct functions
Interaction partner profiling:
Identify PDLIM5 binding partners in each cellular context using co-immunoprecipitation
Compare interaction networks to explain functional differences
Investigate whether different protein kinases interact with PDLIM5 across cell types
Multi-omics integration:
Correlate protein expression data with transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic datasets
Analyze post-translational modifications that might alter PDLIM5 function
Consider subcellular localization differences that might explain functional variation
Tissue-specific knockout models:
By implementing these approaches, researchers can develop a more nuanced understanding of PDLIM5's context-dependent functions and resolve apparent contradictions in the literature.
Researchers commonly encounter these challenges with PDLIM5 antibodies:
Specificity issues:
Challenge: Cross-reactivity with related PDZ/LIM family proteins
Solution:
Validate antibody specificity using PDLIM5 knockdown or knockout samples
Use multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Include appropriate negative controls in all experiments
Detection sensitivity:
Challenge: Low signal-to-noise ratio, especially in tissues with low PDLIM5 expression
Solution:
Optimize protein extraction using buffers that effectively solubilize PDLIM5
Increase protein loading (up to 25 μg per lane has been successful)
For Western blot, optimize blocking conditions (3% nonfat dry milk in TBST has worked well)
Consider signal amplification methods like TSA (tyramide signal amplification)
Isoform discrimination:
Challenge: Detecting specific PDLIM5 isoforms from alternative splicing
Solution:
Use antibodies targeting isoform-specific regions when available
Employ high-resolution gel systems to separate closely sized isoforms
Complement protein studies with RT-PCR to identify expressed isoform mRNAs
Reproducibility issues:
Challenge: Variability in results across experiments
Solution:
Background in immunohistochemistry:
Challenge: High background staining in tissue sections
Solution:
These technical strategies can help overcome common challenges and improve experimental outcomes when working with PDLIM5 antibodies.
Integrating multiple methodologies enhances PDLIM5 research:
PDLIM5 antibodies with genetic manipulation:
Combine antibody detection with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, siRNA knockdown, or overexpression systems
Design experiment:
Protein-protein interaction studies:
Combine co-immunoprecipitation (using 0.5-4.0 μg antibody for 1.0-3.0 mg lysate) with:
Mass spectrometry to identify novel binding partners
Proximity ligation assay to confirm interactions in situ
FRET/BRET analysis for dynamic interaction studies
Yeast two-hybrid screening to map interaction domains
Spatial and temporal expression analysis:
Integrate immunofluorescence with:
Live cell imaging to track PDLIM5 dynamics
Super-resolution microscopy for detailed localization
FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) to assess protein mobility
Correlative light and electron microscopy for ultrastructural context
Multi-omics integration:
Correlate antibody-based protein detection with:
RNA-seq for transcriptome analysis
ChIP-seq to identify transcriptional regulators of PDLIM5
Phosphoproteomics to study post-translational modifications
Single-cell analysis to assess cell-to-cell variation
Functional assays:
Combine protein detection with:
Calcium imaging in cardiomyocytes or neurons
Electrophysiology to assess effects on cellular excitability
Cell migration and proliferation assays
In vivo behavioral testing in animal models
These integrated approaches provide comprehensive insights into PDLIM5 function across different biological contexts and disease states.
Emerging applications of PDLIM5 antibodies include:
Therapeutic target validation:
Using antibodies to validate PDLIM5 as a potential therapeutic target for mood disorders
Applications include:
Screening compounds that modify PDLIM5 expression or function
Evaluating effects of existing psychiatric medications on PDLIM5 levels
Developing antibody-based tools to modulate PDLIM5 interactions
Biomarker development:
Using PDLIM5 antibodies to develop diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for:
Applications include:
Immunoassay development for clinical samples
Tissue microarray analysis of patient cohorts
Multiplexed detection with other disease markers
Single-cell analysis:
Adapting flow cytometry protocols (using 1:100 dilution of HRP-conjugated monoclonal antibody) for:
CyTOF (mass cytometry) to analyze PDLIM5 in complex cell populations
Single-cell proteomics to correlate PDLIM5 with other proteins at individual cell level
Imaging flow cytometry to simultaneously quantify expression and localization
Proximity-based applications:
Using PDLIM5 antibodies for:
BioID or APEX2 proximity labeling to map local protein environment
Optogenetic applications where antibody-based targeting directs optogenetic tools
Targeted protein degradation systems like PROTACs or dTAGs
In vivo imaging:
Developing techniques for:
Intravital microscopy with fluorescently labeled PDLIM5 antibodies
PET imaging with radiolabeled antibodies or fragments
Photoacoustic imaging for deeper tissue visualization
These innovative applications extend beyond traditional detection methods and open new avenues for understanding PDLIM5 biology and its implications in disease.
Several emerging technologies promise to revolutionize PDLIM5 research:
Advanced microscopy:
Lattice light-sheet microscopy for long-term imaging of PDLIM5 dynamics in living cells
Expansion microscopy to visualize PDLIM5 interactions at nanoscale resolution
Cryo-electron tomography to study PDLIM5 in its native cellular environment
These approaches will provide unprecedented insights into PDLIM5's spatial organization and dynamic behaviors
Proteomics innovations:
Targeted proteomics using mass spectrometry for absolute quantification of PDLIM5 isoforms
Cross-linking mass spectrometry to map PDLIM5 interaction interfaces at amino acid resolution
Top-down proteomics to characterize full-length PDLIM5 and its post-translational modifications
These methods will enable more precise characterization of PDLIM5 proteoforms
Spatial multi-omics:
Spatial transcriptomics combined with PDLIM5 immunofluorescence
Imaging mass cytometry for multiplexed protein detection in tissue sections
Digital spatial profiling to correlate PDLIM5 with dozens of other proteins in situ
These technologies will reveal tissue microenvironment influences on PDLIM5 function
Engineered antibody technologies:
Nanobodies with enhanced tissue penetration for in vivo applications
Bispecific antibodies targeting PDLIM5 and interacting partners
Antibody fragments optimized for super-resolution microscopy
These tools will enable more specific and versatile targeting of PDLIM5
AI-assisted analysis:
Machine learning algorithms for automated quantification of PDLIM5 staining patterns
Predictive modeling of PDLIM5 interactions based on structural data
Network analysis to integrate PDLIM5 into cellular pathway maps
These computational approaches will extract deeper insights from complex datasets
These technologies will collectively enhance our ability to detect, quantify, and functionally characterize PDLIM5 across different biological contexts.
PDLIM5 research shows promising connections to personalized approaches for mood disorders:
Biomarker development:
PDLIM5 expression patterns differ between bipolar disorder and major depression
Potential applications:
Using PDLIM5 antibodies to develop diagnostic tests distinguishing between mood disorders
Monitoring PDLIM5 levels during treatment to predict response
Stratifying patients based on PDLIM5 expression patterns for clinical trials
Pharmacogenomic approaches:
Research shows differential effects of psychiatric medications on PDLIM5 expression:
This suggests that:
PDLIM5 genetic variants might predict medication response
Monitoring PDLIM5 protein levels could guide medication selection
PDLIM5-specific therapeutics might be developed for targeted treatment
Integrative diagnostic approaches:
Combining PDLIM5 antibody-based assays with:
Genetic testing for PDLIM5 polymorphisms associated with mood disorders
Neuroimaging to correlate PDLIM5 expression with brain structure/function
Behavioral assessments to link molecular markers with clinical presentation
Therapeutic targeting:
PDLIM5's role as a scaffold protein makes it a candidate for developing:
Small molecules disrupting specific protein-protein interactions
Peptide mimetics targeting PDLIM5 binding domains
RNA therapeutics modulating PDLIM5 expression
Longitudinal monitoring:
Using PDLIM5 antibodies to develop minimally invasive tests for:
Tracking disease progression
Monitoring treatment efficacy
Predicting relapse risk