NFKBIA (Nuclear Factor Kappa B Inhibitor Alpha) is a key regulatory protein that binds to NF-κB transcription factors, sequestering them in the cytoplasm under basal conditions. Upon cellular stimulation (e.g., cytokines, pathogens, or stress), IκBα undergoes phosphorylation and degradation, enabling NF-κB to translocate to the nucleus and activate target genes .
Phosphorylation at Tyr305 is a post-translational modification implicated in:
Signal-specific regulation: Unlike canonical serine phosphorylation (e.g., Ser32/36), Tyr305 phosphorylation occurs in response to distinct stimuli, such as oxidative stress or pervanadate treatment .
Ubiquitination and degradation: Phosphorylated IκBα is recognized by E3 ubiquitin ligases, leading to proteasomal degradation and NF-κB activation .
Modulation of protein interactions: Alters binding affinity for NF-κB subunits or other regulatory proteins .
Western Blot Validation: The antibody detects phosphorylated IκBα in A431 (epidermoid carcinoma) and Jurkat (T-cell leukemia) cells treated with pervanadate, a phosphatase inhibitor .
Functional Studies: Tyr305 phosphorylation modulates IκBα stability and NF-κB activity in pathways involving MAPK/ERK and DNA damage responses .
Cancer: Dysregulated NF-κB signaling is common in malignancies. Tyr305 phosphorylation may influence tumor progression via altered inflammatory gene expression .
Autoimmunity: Aberrant IκBα phosphorylation contributes to chronic inflammation .
Phospho-NFKBIA (Tyr305) Antibody specifically recognizes IκB-alpha (NFKBIA) when phosphorylated at the tyrosine 305 residue. This antibody is typically generated using a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid residues around tyrosine 305 of human IκB-alpha, with the peptide sequence having low homology to other IκB proteins .
The antibody detects a 38 kDa protein on SDS-PAGE immunoblots of A431 and Jurkat cells treated with pervanadate, but does not detect this band in control cells, confirming its specificity for the phosphorylated form . Most commercially available versions are polyclonal rabbit antibodies that have been cross-adsorbed to phospho-tyrosine coupled to agarose and then affinity purified using phospho-IκB-alpha (Tyr-305) peptide without carrier to ensure specificity .
NFKBIA (IκB-alpha) serves as a critical regulator of the NF-κB signaling pathway by inhibiting the activity of dimeric NF-kappa-B/REL complexes. It functions by trapping REL dimers (specifically RELA/p65 and NFKB1/p50) in the cytoplasm through masking their nuclear localization signals .
The phosphorylation at Tyr305, located in the C-terminal PEST domain of NFKBIA, represents a distinct regulatory mechanism from the classical IKK-mediated phosphorylation at Ser32/36. In B cells stimulated with anti-IgM, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is rapidly activated and phosphorylates IκBα at Tyr305 and Tyr289 residues . This phosphorylation contributes to NFKBIA degradation and subsequent NF-κB activation, allowing NF-κB dimers to translocate to the nucleus and initiate gene transcription .
Phospho-NFKBIA (Tyr305) Antibody can be utilized in multiple experimental applications:
Western blotting represents the most thoroughly validated application, with specific validation in A431 and Jurkat cell models treated with pervanadate .
For optimal antibody stability and performance:
Can be refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 2 weeks for ongoing experiments
Typical formulation includes PBS with 50% glycerol, 0.5% BSA and 0.02% sodium azide as preservative
To prevent activity loss from freeze-thaw cycles, store in small aliquots
Most formulations report stability for at least 1 year at -20°C when properly stored
NFKBIA undergoes multiple phosphorylation events with distinct functional outcomes:
Tyr305 phosphorylation: Located in the C-terminal PEST domain, this modification occurs in B cells stimulated with anti-IgM through Btk activation . Unlike Ser32/36 phosphorylation, Tyr305 phosphorylation represents an alternative pathway for NF-κB activation.
Ser32/36 phosphorylation: The canonical pathway involves IKK complex activation by various stimuli (LPS, viral proteins, cytokines) leading to phosphorylation of Ser32/36 in the N-terminal SRD region . This triggers ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.
Tyr42 phosphorylation: According to GeneCards, "phosphorylation at Tyr-42 activates NF-kappa-B without triggering proteolytic degradation of NFKBIA" , suggesting a mechanism distinct from both Ser32/36 and Tyr305 pathways.
The PEST domain, where Tyr305 is located, contains multiple phosphorylation sites (Ser283, Ser289, Ser293, Thr291 and Thr299) , suggesting complex, potentially context-dependent regulation of NFKBIA function through this region.
For robust detection of Tyr305 phosphorylation:
Cell stimulation protocols:
Western blotting optimization:
Validation controls shown in scientific data:
Western blot analysis should include:
Several validation approaches can confirm antibody specificity:
Peptide competition assays:
Kinase inhibition:
Genetic approaches:
NFKBIA knockout/knockdown cells as negative controls
Cells expressing NFKBIA Y305F mutant (tyrosine to phenylalanine) to prevent phosphorylation
Mass spectrometry:
Confirm phosphorylation at Tyr305 by immunoprecipitation followed by MS analysis
Map phosphorylation sites in response to different stimuli
For accurate quantification of phosphorylation dynamics:
Western blot quantification:
Always normalize phospho-NFKBIA signal to total NFKBIA levels
Use infrared fluorescence-based systems for wider linear dynamic range
Include multiple biological and technical replicates (minimum n=3)
Employ time-course analysis to capture transient phosphorylation events
ELISA-based approaches:
Image analysis for immunofluorescence/IHC:
Quantify nuclear vs. cytoplasmic distribution to correlate with functional outcomes
Use automated image analysis software with consistent thresholding
Phospho-proteomics:
Targeted MS/MS approaches for absolute quantification
SILAC or TMT labeling for relative quantification across conditions
The structural implications of Tyr305 phosphorylation must be understood in context of NFKBIA's domain architecture:
NFKBIA structure:
PEST domain characteristics:
Functional consequences:
The interaction between PEST region and p65 NTD involves acidic patches (Glu282, Glu284, Asp285, Glu286, Glu287) in PEST and basic regions in p65 NTD
Phosphorylation at Tyr305 potentially disrupts this interaction, affecting the allosteric regulation of DNA binding by NF-κB
May alter the "locked" conformation of the NTD of p65, allowing DNA binding
Though direct structural data on Tyr305 phosphorylation is limited, understanding the role of PEST domain in NF-κB regulation provides insight into potential mechanisms.
NFKBIA Tyr305 phosphorylation exhibits context-dependent patterns:
Understanding these context-specific patterns is crucial for interpreting experimental results and designing appropriate positive controls when using Phospho-NFKBIA (Tyr305) Antibody.