Pectate Lyase 1 Antibody, FITC conjugated is a polyclonal antibody derived from rabbit hosts, conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), a fluorescent dye emitting at 499/515 nm . The antibody specifically binds to the recombinant Pectate Lyase 1 protein from species such as Hesperocyparis arizonica (Arizona cypress) or Juniperus ashei (Ozark white cedar) .
The antibody is primarily used in:
ELISA: For quantitative detection of Pectate Lyase 1 in plant extracts .
Western Blotting (WB): To confirm protein presence in samples .
The enzyme exhibits low pectate lyase activity, primarily cleaving methylated pectin (e.g., polygalacturonic acid) . Its optimal activity occurs at pH 5.8–8.3 and 40–60°C .
Pectate Lyase 1 is a major allergen in cypress pollen (e.g., Jun a 1), implicated in respiratory allergies . Recombinant forms retain allergenicity but reduced enzymatic activity .
Handling: Avoid exposure to light and repeated freeze-thaw cycles .
Safety: Contains Proclin 300, a toxic preservative; handle with trained personnel .
Regulatory: For research use only; not approved for diagnostics or human consumption .
| Vendor | Reactivity | Conjugate | Purification | Price (50 µg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antibodies Online | H. arizonica | FITC | Protein G | $190–$299 |
| Cepham Life Sci | J. ashei | FITC | Caprylic Acid | Not disclosed |
| Qtonics | J. ashei | FITC | Protein G | $190–$299 |
| Abbexa | H. arizonica | FITC | Protein G | Not disclosed |
Pectate lyase 1 belongs to the polysaccharide lyase family 1 (PL1), a class of enzymes that cleave galacturonic acid-containing polysaccharide chains. In plants, pectate lyases play crucial roles in fruit ripening, tissue remodeling, and pollen tube outgrowth . FITC (Fluorescein isothiocyanate) conjugation enables direct visualization of the antigen-antibody interaction through fluorescence microscopy without requiring secondary antibodies, making it valuable for immunofluorescence applications in studying pectate lyase distribution and function in plant tissues.
Current research-grade Pectate Lyase 1 antibodies with FITC conjugation show reactivity to several plant species:
*Note: The Ambrosia artemisiifolia antibody targets Pectate lyase 5 rather than Pectate lyase 1, but is included for comparative research purposes.
For optimal preservation of FITC-conjugated Pectate Lyase 1 antibodies, storage at -20°C or -80°C is universally recommended across all suppliers . Multiple freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided to prevent conjugate degradation and fluorescence loss. The antibodies are typically supplied in a protective buffer containing 50% glycerol, 0.01M PBS (pH 7.4) with 0.03% Proclin 300 as a preservative . When working with these antibodies, they should be protected from light to prevent photobleaching of the FITC molecule.
Commercial preparations share several consistent characteristics:
Formulation: Liquid in glycerol-PBS buffer with Proclin preservative
Immunogen: Recombinant proteins covering specific amino acid regions (generally AA 22-354 or AA 22-367, depending on species)
Cross-reactivity between pectate lyase allergens follows taxonomic relationships, with significant intra-order cross-reactivity but limited inter-order reactivity . Research has revealed four distinct clustering categories of pectate lyase allergens: Amb a 1, Art v 6, Cup a 1/Jun a 1, and Cry j 1 . When designing experiments, researchers should:
Conduct preliminary cross-reactivity assessments if working across plant orders
Include appropriate blocking controls when studying closely related species
Validate antibody specificity through cross-inhibition experiments for each new application
Consider geographic differences in sensitization patterns when interpreting results
Studies have demonstrated that immunization with Asteraceae allergens primarily induces antibodies reactive within that order, with the same pattern observed for Cupressaceae allergens, while cross-reactivity between these orders remains minimal .
When incorporating these antibodies into multiplex studies:
Spectral considerations: FITC excites at ~495nm and emits at ~520nm. Design multiplex panels with fluorophores that have minimal spectral overlap (e.g., TRITC, Cy5) to avoid bleed-through.
Signal optimization: Titrate antibody concentrations (typically starting at 2μg/ml) to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio for each specific application .
Autofluorescence mitigation: Plant tissues often exhibit significant autofluorescence in the FITC channel. Implement quenching protocols using solutions like 0.1% Sudan Black B in 70% ethanol or sodium borohydride treatment.
Controls: Include single-stained controls, isotype controls, and absorption controls (pre-incubation with recombinant antigen) to validate specificity.
Fixation impact: Aldehyde-based fixatives can affect FITC fluorescence intensity. Compare results with alternative fixation methods if signal strength is insufficient.
Pectate lyase 1 antibodies can be instrumental in elucidating cell wall modification processes, particularly in xylem development. Recent research has identified that pectate lyase genes play critical roles in vascular development . Functional assays can be designed to:
Track enzyme localization during development: Using FITC-conjugated antibodies to visualize spatiotemporal expression patterns during tissue differentiation.
Correlate enzyme presence with cell wall composition: Combined immunolabeling and histochemical staining can reveal relationships between pectate lyase localization and pectin modifications.
Enzyme inhibition studies: Applying antibodies to inhibit enzyme function in living tissues can demonstrate functional consequences on cell wall development.
Research with pectate lyase 16 mutants in Arabidopsis revealed increased amounts of pectin, soluble sugar, and acid-soluble lignin, alongside irregular xylem phenotypes and disordered ray cells . Similar methodologies can be applied using Pectate Lyase 1 antibodies to investigate functional relationships in other plant species.
For optimal ELISA performance with FITC-conjugated antibodies:
Plate preparation: Coat NUNC Maxisorp plates with 2μg/ml antigen solution overnight at 4°C .
Sample processing: Homogenize plant tissues in appropriate extraction buffer (typically PBS with protease inhibitors) and clarify by centrifugation (10,000g, 15 minutes, 4°C).
Antibody application: Apply diluted antibody (typically 1:1000 to 1:5000) following manufacturer recommendations for the specific Pectate Lyase 1 antibody being used .
Detection system:
Direct detection: Utilize the FITC signal directly with a fluorescence microplate reader (excitation: 495nm, emission: 520nm)
Amplified detection: Employ anti-FITC secondary antibodies conjugated to enzymes for chromogenic or chemiluminescent detection
Standard curve preparation: Generate using recombinant Pectate Lyase 1 protein corresponding to the species of interest (concentration range: 0.1-100ng/ml).
Controls: Include buffer blanks, isotype controls, and pre-absorption controls.
Researchers should note that ELISA is the most validated application across commercial antibodies for Pectate Lyase 1 .
| Challenge | Potential Causes | Solution Strategies |
|---|---|---|
| Low signal intensity | Antibody degradation, insufficient concentration, antigen masking | Store properly at -80°C; increase antibody concentration; optimize antigen retrieval methods |
| High background | Non-specific binding, autofluorescence | Increase blocking time/concentration; add 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 to antibody diluent; use sodium borohydride treatment for autofluorescence reduction |
| Cross-reactivity | Antibody recognition of homologous proteins | Pre-absorb antibody with recombinant proteins from non-target species; validate specificity with Western blot |
| Inconsistent staining | Uneven fixation, variable tissue permeability | Standardize fixation protocol; increase incubation time; consider ultrasonic treatment to enhance antibody penetration |
| Photobleaching | Excessive light exposure | Minimize exposure to light during all steps; use anti-fade mounting media; consider using lower excitation intensity during imaging |
A comprehensive validation approach should include:
Western blot analysis: Confirm single band of expected molecular weight (~35-40kDa for Pectate Lyase 1) in target species extracts.
Absorption controls: Pre-incubate antibody with excess recombinant Pectate Lyase 1 protein (5-10μg/ml) before application to verify signal elimination.
Knockout/knockdown tissues: Compare staining between wild-type and tissues with reduced Pectate Lyase 1 expression.
Cross-inhibition experiments: Perform sequential staining with unlabeled and FITC-conjugated antibodies to confirm competitive binding.
Multiple antibody comparison: If available, compare staining patterns with antibodies targeting different epitopes of Pectate Lyase 1.
Mass spectrometry validation: For definitive confirmation, perform immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry identification of pulled-down proteins.
Recent developments suggest several promising applications:
Allergen mapping in climate change studies: As plant distributions shift with climate change, FITC-conjugated antibodies can track changes in pollen allergen production and distribution.
Single-cell analysis: Combining antibody-based detection with flow cytometry or single-cell sequencing to correlate protein expression with transcriptomic profiles.
Biofuel development research: Investigating pectate lyase roles in cell wall composition may inform strategies for improving biomass degradability.
Live-cell imaging: Using minimally disruptive antibody fragments for dynamic visualization of pectate lyase activity during wall remodeling.
Interactome studies: Coupling immunoprecipitation with proteomics to identify protein interaction partners during developmental transitions.
Research into pectate lyase function in xylem development exemplifies how these approaches can reveal previously unknown roles for these enzymes in plant developmental processes.