Phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies are recombinant monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies raised against synthetic phosphopeptides corresponding to residues surrounding Thr199 of human NPM1. These antibodies selectively recognize NPM1 phosphorylated at Thr199, a site targeted by CDK2/cyclin E during the G1 phase of the cell cycle .
Specificity:
Sensitivity:
| Method | Detection Limit | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| HTRF | 110 cells/well | No electrophoresis, high-throughput |
| Western Blot | 1,750 cells/well | Traditional validation, requires gels |
Cell Cycle Regulation:
Phosphorylation at Thr199 by CDK2/cyclin E triggers NPM1 dissociation from centrosomes, enabling centrosome duplication and mitotic progression .
Cancer Biology:
Prostate Cancer: Overexpression of phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) correlates with castration-resistant PCa (CRPC). In CRPC tissues, phospho-NPM1 localized to the nucleoplasm, unlike androgen-dependent PCa (ADPC), where it was nucleolar .
AML: NPM1 mutations (NPM1c) disrupting its phosphorylation are linked to leukemogenesis .
NPM1 (Nucleophosmin 1, also known as B23, nutramin, or NO38) is a ubiquitously expressed phosphoprotein involved in multiple cellular processes including ribosome assembly/transport, cytoplasmic/nuclear trafficking, regulation of DNA polymerase alpha activity, centrosome duplication, and regulation of p53. Phosphorylation at Thr199 is particularly significant because it is mediated by CDK2-cyclin E during cell cycle progression and is a prerequisite for centrosome duplication. Upon phosphorylation at Thr199, NPM1 dissociates from centrosomes, allowing them to initiate duplication . This specific phosphorylation is therefore a critical regulatory mechanism in cell division and proliferation.
Phosphorylated NPM1 (Thr199) displays distinct subcellular localization patterns that differ from total NPM1. While total NPM1 is predominantly found in the nucleolus, phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) is localized in sub-nuclear structures known as nuclear speckles in the nucleoplasm . These speckles can be identified as dense regions in bright field microscopy and are positive for the sc-35 marker . Additionally, phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) expression increases during mitosis, peaking at metaphase and decreasing from anaphase to interphase . This dynamic localization pattern is crucial for understanding its functional role in cell cycle regulation.
The calculated molecular weight of NPM1 is approximately 32-33 kDa , but in Western blot analysis, phosphorylated NPM1 (Thr199) typically appears as a band at approximately 38 kDa . This difference between theoretical and observed molecular weight may be attributed to post-translational modifications, particularly phosphorylation, which can affect protein migration in SDS-PAGE.
Phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies have been primarily validated for Western blotting (WB) with typical working dilutions ranging from 1:500 to 1:2000 . Some antibodies have also been validated for immunohistochemistry (IHC) on formalin/PFA-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections . When using these antibodies for Western blotting, researchers should optimize the dilution depending on their specific experimental conditions and the antibody source. For IHC applications, antigen retrieval methods such as high-pressure and temperature sodium citrate (pH 6.0) treatment have been reported to be effective .
To study centrosome duplication using phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies, researchers can employ multiple complementary approaches:
Co-immunofluorescence microscopy: Stain cells with phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibody along with centrosome markers (e.g., γ-tubulin) to visualize their association and dissociation during cell cycle .
Cell synchronization: Synchronize cells at different cell cycle stages and analyze phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels by Western blot to correlate with centrosome duplication events .
CDK2 inhibition studies: Treat cells with specific CDK2 inhibitors and assess the impact on Thr199 phosphorylation and centrosome duplication .
Live-cell imaging: Use fluorescently tagged NPM1 along with phospho-specific antibodies in fixed-time points to track the dynamics of phosphorylation during centrosome duplication .
This multi-faceted approach allows researchers to establish causative relationships between NPM1 phosphorylation and centrosome duplication events.
For rigorous experimental design with phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies, the following controls should be included:
These controls ensure the reliability and interpretability of results obtained with phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies.
Phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) shows potential as a biomarker in cancer research, particularly in prostate cancer progression. Research has shown that both total NPM1 and its phosphorylated forms (Thr199 and Thr234/237) are significantly overexpressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) compared to androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC) . Implementing phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) as a cancer biomarker requires:
Tissue microarray analysis: Comparing phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) expression across cancer stages and grades .
Correlation studies: Analyzing relationships between phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels and clinical parameters such as Gleason score, PSA levels, and disease recurrence .
Multiplex immunohistochemistry: Combining phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) with other markers to create more robust predictive panels.
Outcome association: Correlating phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) expression with patient survival and treatment response.
While current research indicates its potential utility, further large-scale validation studies are needed to establish phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) as a clinically relevant biomarker.
Phosphorylated forms of NPM1, including at Thr199, interact with androgen receptor (AR) in the nucleoplasm, suggesting a functional relationship in prostate cancer progression . Research demonstrates that:
While total NPM1 is primarily localized in the nucleolus and AR in the nucleoplasm, their phosphorylated forms colocalize in nuclear speckles .
Co-immunoprecipitation studies confirm that phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) interacts with AR .
Inhibition of NPM1 phosphorylation (e.g., by the pseudopeptide N6L) correlates with reduced AR activity .
Both phosphorylated NPM1 forms and AR are overexpressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer .
These findings suggest that phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) may contribute to prostate cancer progression through modulation of AR signaling, particularly in the development of castration resistance. Researchers investigating this relationship should combine biochemical approaches with functional studies to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved.
Phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies can serve as valuable tools in evaluating potential anti-cancer therapeutics, particularly those targeting cell cycle regulation or NPM1 function. Methodological approaches include:
Drug screening: Use Western blotting with phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies to identify compounds that reduce NPM1 phosphorylation, such as the pseudopeptide N6L .
Dose-response studies: Quantify the relationship between drug concentration and reduction in phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels .
Time-course analysis: Monitor changes in phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels following drug treatment to determine optimal treatment duration .
Combination therapy assessment: Evaluate how standard-of-care treatments (e.g., hormonotherapy, docetaxel) affect phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels when used alone or in combination with novel therapeutics .
Correlation with functional outcomes: Link changes in phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) to functional endpoints such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tumor growth in xenograft models .
This approach has been successfully employed with N6L, which inhibits NPM1 phosphorylation and demonstrates anti-tumor activity in prostate cancer models .
Non-specific binding can compromise the reliability of results obtained with phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies. To address this common challenge:
Optimize blocking conditions: Test different blocking agents (BSA, non-fat dry milk, commercial blockers) at various concentrations and incubation times.
Adjust antibody dilution: Perform titration experiments to determine the optimal antibody concentration that maximizes specific signal while minimizing background.
Modify washing protocols: Increase the number, duration, or stringency of washes (by adding detergents like Tween-20) between antibody incubations.
Use phospho-blocking agents: Include phosphatase inhibitors in sample preparation to preserve phosphorylation status and reduce background.
Consider alternative antibody formats: If polyclonal antibodies show high background, try monoclonal alternatives that may offer greater specificity .
Validate with competing peptides: Use both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated peptides corresponding to the Thr199 region to confirm signal specificity.
These methodological adjustments can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio and enhance data reliability.
Interpreting changes in phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels during cell cycle progression requires careful consideration of several factors:
Baseline reference: Establish baseline phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels in quiescent (G0) cells as a reference point.
Cell synchronization validation: Confirm cell cycle synchronization using established markers (e.g., cyclin expression, DNA content) before interpreting phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) changes.
Temporal dynamics: Recognize that phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels typically increase during mitosis, peaking at metaphase and decreasing from anaphase to interphase .
Spatial considerations: Note that phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) relocalizes from centrosomes to nuclear speckles during cell cycle progression .
Quantitative analysis: Use densitometry for Western blots or fluorescence intensity measurements for immunofluorescence to quantify changes objectively.
Normalization approach: When quantifying, normalize phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) to total NPM1 rather than housekeeping proteins to account for changes in total protein levels.
Understanding these dynamics allows researchers to correctly interpret fluctuations in phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels and their biological significance.
Several factors can compromise the accuracy of phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibody results:
| Factor Type | False Negative Causes | False Positive Causes |
|---|---|---|
| Sample preparation | - Insufficient phosphatase inhibitors - Excessive sample heating - Prolonged storage without protease inhibitors | - Cross-reactivity with similar phosphorylation sites - Denaturation artifacts |
| Technical factors | - Suboptimal antibody dilution - Inadequate antigen retrieval - Poor transfer efficiency in Western blotting | - Excessive antibody concentration - Insufficient blocking - Inadequate washing |
| Biological variables | - Cell cycle heterogeneity - Low baseline phosphorylation - Competing phosphorylation at nearby residues | - Stress-induced phosphorylation during sample handling - Non-specific CDK2 activation |
| Reagent quality | - Antibody degradation - Loss of specificity over time - Batch-to-batch variation | - Contamination - Cross-reactivity evolution in polyclonal sources |
Researchers should systematically address these factors through appropriate controls and methodology optimization to ensure reliable and reproducible results.
Integrating phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) analysis into high-throughput screening platforms requires adapting traditional techniques to automated, scalable formats:
ELISA-based detection: Develop sandwich ELISAs using capture antibodies against total NPM1 and detection antibodies against phospho-NPM1 (Thr199).
Automated Western blotting: Implement capillary-based or microfluidic Western systems that require less sample and enable higher throughput.
High-content imaging: Utilize automated microscopy systems with phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies to simultaneously analyze phosphorylation status and subcellular localization.
Phospho-flow cytometry: Adapt phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies for flow cytometry to rapidly analyze large cell populations.
Reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA): Spot cellular lysates onto microarrays and probe with phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies for parallel analysis of multiple samples.
These approaches enable screening compound libraries for modulators of NPM1 phosphorylation, potentially identifying novel anti-cancer therapeutics targeting cell cycle regulation.
Emerging techniques for studying phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) dynamics in live cells offer temporal and spatial resolution previously unattainable:
Phospho-specific fluorescent biosensors: Develop FRET-based sensors that change conformation upon Thr199 phosphorylation, enabling real-time visualization.
Antibody fragment-based imaging: Use cell-permeable phospho-specific single-chain antibody fragments conjugated to fluorescent proteins.
SunTag amplification system: Employ the SunTag system combined with phospho-specific nanobodies for amplified fluorescent signal detection.
Proximity ligation assays (PLA): Adapt PLA for temporal analysis of phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) interactions with binding partners like AR.
CRISPR-based endogenous tagging: Generate cell lines with fluorescently tagged endogenous NPM1 combined with phospho-specific detection methods.
These approaches overcome limitations of traditional fixed-cell immunofluorescence, allowing researchers to monitor phosphorylation dynamics during processes like centrosome duplication and mitosis with unprecedented resolution.
Single-cell analysis of phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) offers transformative potential for understanding cancer heterogeneity:
Single-cell Western blotting: Analyze phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels in individual cells to reveal heterogeneity masked by bulk analysis.
Mass cytometry (CyTOF): Combine phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) antibodies with metal-tagged antibodies against other cancer markers for high-dimensional profiling.
Single-cell imaging mass spectrometry: Visualize the spatial distribution of phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) within tissue sections at single-cell resolution.
Digital spatial profiling: Quantify phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels in spatially resolved single cells within the tumor microenvironment.
Integrated multi-omics: Correlate single-cell phospho-NPM1 (Thr199) levels with transcriptomic or genomic profiles from the same cells.