Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody specifically recognizes the MAD1L1 protein only when phosphorylated at the serine 428 residue. This antibody serves as a crucial tool for investigating mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint mechanisms, which prevent the onset of anaphase until all chromosomes are properly aligned at the metaphase plate . MAD1L1 (also known as MAD1, TXBP181) functions as a component of this checkpoint system, forming a heterotetrameric complex with MAD2L1 at unattached kinetochores during prometaphase . The phosphorylation at S428 represents a specific post-translational modification that regulates MAD1L1 function in this critical cell cycle control process .
Based on comprehensive validation studies, Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody has been specifically tested and confirmed effective in the following applications:
| Application | Recommended Dilution | Source Validation |
|---|---|---|
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | 1:100-1:300 | |
| Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) | 1:5000 | |
| Immunofluorescence (IF) | 1:50-1:200 |
It should be noted that while these applications have been validated by manufacturers, researchers may need to optimize conditions for their specific experimental systems .
To maintain optimal antibody activity, Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody should be stored at -20°C or -80°C upon receipt . For short-term storage and frequent use, the antibody can be kept at 4°C for up to one month . The antibody is typically supplied in liquid form in PBS containing 50% glycerol, 0.5% BSA, and 0.02% sodium azide as a preservative . It is critical to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles as this can lead to protein denaturation and loss of binding activity . Aliquoting the antibody upon first thaw is recommended for laboratories that will use it intermittently over extended periods .
For optimal immunohistochemistry results with Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody, a methodical approach to dilution optimization is recommended:
Begin with the manufacturer's suggested range of 1:100-1:300 .
Perform a dilution series experiment using positive control tissue known to express phosphorylated MAD1L1.
Include appropriate negative controls, such as:
The optimal dilution should provide clear specific staining with minimal background. When using paraffin-embedded tissues, ensure proper antigen retrieval, as phospho-epitopes can be particularly sensitive to fixation conditions . Blocking with the phosphopeptide can confirm signal specificity, as demonstrated in validation studies showing complete signal abolishment when the antibody is pre-incubated with the phosphopeptide .
When investigating MAD1L1 phosphorylation in cell cycle research, comprehensive controls are essential:
Cell cycle synchronization controls:
Treatment controls:
Localization controls:
Specificity controls:
These controls will help distinguish specific phosphorylation-dependent signals from background and confirm the biological relevance of observations in cell cycle studies.
When encountering weak or absent signals with Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody, consider the following methodological approach:
Verify phosphorylation status preservation:
Include phosphatase inhibitors (e.g., sodium orthovanadate, sodium fluoride) in all buffers
Minimize sample handling time before fixation
Use phospho-protein preservation fixatives
Optimize antigen retrieval for phospho-epitopes:
Test multiple antigen retrieval methods (heat-induced vs. enzymatic)
Optimize buffer pH (typically pH 9.0 works better for phospho-epitopes)
Extend retrieval time incrementally
Signal amplification strategies:
Employ tyramide signal amplification systems
Use biotin-streptavidin amplification (if background permits)
Consider longer primary antibody incubation at 4°C (overnight)
Verify with positive control tissues:
Use tissues with known high levels of phosphorylated MAD1L1
Include mitotic cell-enriched samples (e.g., rapidly dividing tissues)
Antibody quality check:
Verify antibody hasn't undergone multiple freeze-thaw cycles
Check storage conditions and expiration date
Consider testing a new lot if problems persist
Remember that phosphorylation is often transient and can be lost during sample preparation, so careful attention to preservation techniques is crucial for detecting this post-translational modification .
To minimize non-specific background when working with Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody, implement these evidence-based strategies:
Optimize blocking conditions:
Extend blocking time to 1-2 hours at room temperature
Test different blocking agents (BSA, normal serum, commercial blockers)
Consider adding 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 to blocking buffer for better penetration
Antibody dilution optimization:
Perform careful titration experiments beyond manufacturer recommendations
Prepare antibody dilutions in fresh buffer containing blocking agent
Pre-absorb antibody with non-specific proteins if cross-reactivity is suspected
Washing protocol enhancement:
Increase washing duration and number of washes (6-8 washes of 5-10 minutes each)
Use gentle agitation during washing steps
Add 0.05-0.1% Tween-20 to wash buffers
Secondary antibody considerations:
Use highly cross-adsorbed secondary antibodies
Dilute secondary antibody more than typically recommended
Include negative controls omitting primary antibody to identify secondary antibody background
Sample-specific techniques:
For tissues with high endogenous peroxidase activity, use additional quenching steps
For tissues with high biotin content, use biotin-free detection systems
Block endogenous Fc receptors with appropriate blocking reagents
These approaches should systematically reduce background while preserving specific signal for phosphorylated MAD1L1 .
Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody offers powerful insights into spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) dysfunction in cancer through multiple experimental approaches:
Comparative phosphorylation analysis:
Quantify phospho-MAD1L1 levels in matched tumor/normal tissue pairs using immunohistochemistry
Correlate phosphorylation levels with chromosomal instability markers
Examine relationship between phospho-MAD1L1 and clinical outcomes
Subcellular localization studies:
Use immunofluorescence to track phospho-MAD1L1 localization during mitosis in cancer cells
Compare kinetochore recruitment dynamics between normal and cancer cells
Investigate co-localization with other SAC components (MAD2, BUB1, etc.)
Checkpoint signaling analysis:
Examine how cancer-associated mutations affect MAD1L1 phosphorylation at S428
Investigate kinase-phosphatase balance regulating this modification in cancer cells
Study the impact of cancer therapeutic agents on MAD1L1 phosphorylation
Isoform-specific effects:
Mechanistic studies:
These approaches leverage the specificity of Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody to provide mechanistic insights into how SAC dysfunction contributes to genomic instability in cancer .
To quantitatively assess MAD1L1 phosphorylation dynamics throughout the cell cycle, several sophisticated methodological approaches can be employed:
Time-resolved immunofluorescence microscopy:
Flow cytometry-based analysis:
Perform multiparameter flow cytometry combining:
DNA content staining (for cell cycle phase identification)
Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) antibody detection
Mitotic markers (e.g., phospho-histone H3)
Create bivariate plots to track phosphorylation across cell cycle phases
Quantitative phosphoproteomics integration:
Combine immunoprecipitation using Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody with mass spectrometry
Employ SILAC or TMT labeling for precise quantification across cell cycle stages
Map S428 phosphorylation in the context of the full MAD1L1 phosphorylation profile
Live-cell imaging approaches:
Generate cell lines expressing fluorescently-tagged MAD1L1
Develop phospho-specific biosensors for S428
Track phosphorylation dynamics in real-time during mitotic progression
Phospho-ELISA quantification:
These approaches collectively provide comprehensive quantitative assessment of MAD1L1 phosphorylation dynamics, revealing how this modification correlates with specific cell cycle transitions and checkpoints .
The phosphorylation of MAD1L1 at S428 represents a specific regulatory modification with distinct functional implications compared to other phosphorylation sites:
Functional specificity:
S428 phosphorylation appears to be particularly important for MAD1L1's role in the spindle assembly checkpoint
Unlike some other sites, S428 phosphorylation is specifically targeted by BUB1 kinase
This phosphorylation event contributes to the hyperphosphorylated state of MAD1L1 observed in late S through M phases
Structural implications:
S428 resides within the amino acid range 394-443 , a region important for protein-protein interactions
Phosphorylation at this site likely induces conformational changes that influence:
MAD1L1 recruitment to kinetochores
Interaction with binding partners, particularly MAD2L1
Formation of the mitotic checkpoint complex
Comparative phosphorylation profile:
MAD1L1 is phosphorylated at multiple sites by different kinases:
Each phosphorylation site contributes to a phospho-code that fine-tunes MAD1L1 function
S428 phosphorylation appears to be especially critical for checkpoint signaling
Temporal dynamics:
Understanding the specific contribution of S428 phosphorylation within the broader context of MAD1L1 regulation provides crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms of cell cycle checkpoint control .
The phosphorylation state of MAD1L1 at S428 is regulated through a dynamic interplay of specific kinases and phosphatases:
Kinases identifying MAD1L1 S428 as a substrate:
BUB1 kinase: Definitively identified as a kinase that phosphorylates MAD1L1 at S428
Functions primarily during early mitosis at kinetochores
Phosphorylation contributes to MAD1L1 hyperphosphorylation in late S through M phases
TTK (Mps1) kinase: Also contributes to MAD1L1 phosphorylation
Critical for spindle assembly checkpoint activation
May create a phosphorylation cascade affecting multiple sites including S428
Regulatory context of phosphorylation:
Phosphorylation increases substantially after mitotic spindle damage
This modification likely occurs at unattached kinetochores during prometaphase
The phosphorylation event is part of a signaling network that includes:
BUB1-mediated phosphorylation
MAD2L1 recruitment and conversion from open to closed conformation
Mitotic checkpoint complex assembly
Phosphatases and dephosphorylation dynamics:
While specific phosphatases targeting S428 are less characterized, candidates include:
PP1 (Protein Phosphatase 1)
PP2A (Protein Phosphatase 2A)
Dephosphorylation likely occurs during checkpoint silencing when chromosomes achieve proper attachment
The balance of kinase/phosphatase activity determines the phosphorylation status at different cell cycle stages
Experimental assessment approaches:
Kinase inhibitor studies (BUB1 and TTK inhibitors)
Phosphatase inhibitor treatments
Kinase/phosphatase knockdown or knockout studies
In vitro kinase/phosphatase assays with recombinant proteins
Understanding this regulatory network provides insights into how MAD1L1 phosphorylation at S428 is dynamically controlled during normal cell cycle progression and in response to mitotic stress .
A sophisticated integrated approach combining Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody with complementary molecular tools enables comprehensive analysis of mitotic checkpoint dynamics:
Multiplexed immunofluorescence strategies:
Combine Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody with antibodies against:
Total MAD1L1 (to calculate phosphorylation ratios)
MAD2L1 (for checkpoint complex formation)
Centromere/kinetochore markers (CENP proteins, Hec1)
BUB1 and TTK kinases (upstream regulators)
Use spectral unmixing microscopy for multi-protein localization analysis
Apply proximity ligation assays (PLA) to detect phospho-MAD1L1 interactions with binding partners
Genetic engineering integration:
CRISPR/Cas9 editing to generate:
S428 phospho-mutant cell lines (S428A)
Phospho-mimetic mutants (S428D/E)
Fluorescently tagged MAD1L1 for live imaging
Compare antibody staining in wild-type vs. mutant backgrounds
Rescue experiments to confirm specificity
Biochemical approach combinations:
Immunoprecipitation with Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody followed by:
Mass spectrometry to identify interaction partners
Western blotting for known binding proteins
ChIP-seq for any chromatin associations
Sequential immunoprecipitations to isolate specific subcomplexes
High-content screening applications:
Develop Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody-based screens to identify:
Compounds affecting SAC phosphorylation
Genetic regulators of MAD1L1 phosphorylation
Cell cycle perturbations affecting S428 phosphorylation
Combine with automated image analysis for quantitative phenotyping
This integrated approach leverages the specificity of Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody within a broader technological framework to provide systems-level insights into mitotic checkpoint regulation .
When extending Phospho-MAD1L1 (S428) Antibody applications across different model organisms, researchers should consider several critical factors:
Species reactivity and sequence conservation:
Confirmed reactivity: Human is the primary validated species
Extended reactivity: Some antibody products report reactivity with rat and mouse samples
Sequence analysis: Researchers should perform sequence alignment of the region containing S428 (AA 394-443) across species of interest:
| Species | Sequence Conservation | Expected Reactivity |
|---|---|---|
| Human | Reference sequence | Validated |
| Mouse | High conservation | Likely reactive |
| Rat | High conservation | Likely reactive |
| Other mammals | Moderate to high | Variable |
| Non-mammals | Lower conservation | Less likely |
Validation requirements for cross-species applications:
Western blot validation using positive control samples
Inclusion of phosphatase-treated negative controls
Peptide competition assays with species-specific phosphopeptides
Side-by-side comparison with species-specific antibodies if available
Application-specific considerations:
IHC: Optimize antigen retrieval conditions for each species' tissue fixation methods
IF: Account for species differences in subcellular localization patterns
ELISA: Develop species-specific standard curves with appropriate peptides
Biological context variations:
Cell cycle timing differences between species
Checkpoint signaling variations across evolutionary distance
Expression level differences requiring antibody dilution adjustments
Potential phosphorylation site variations affecting epitope recognition
Controls for evolutionary divergence:
Include wild-type versus MAD1L1 knockout/knockdown samples
Use phospho-mimetic and non-phosphorylatable mutants as controls
Consider developing species-specific phospho-antibodies for highly divergent organisms