PTK2B (PYK2/FAK2) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell adhesion, migration, and immune responses. Phosphorylation at Tyr402 is essential for its enzymatic activation, serving as a docking site for SH2 domain-containing proteins like Fyn and enabling downstream signaling cascades . This modification occurs in response to stimuli such as T-cell receptor activation, chemokines, or integrin engagement .
The Phospho-PTK2B (Tyr402) Antibody (Clone M269) is a mouse monoclonal IgG1 antibody generated against a phosphopeptide containing residues surrounding Tyr402. Key features include:
T-cell Activation: Detects PTK2B phosphorylation during T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement, critical for Fyn recruitment and downstream MAP kinase signaling .
Immune Cell Migration: Used to study PTK2B’s role in macrophage and dendritic cell motility, which impacts antiviral responses .
Cancer: PTK2B phosphorylation correlates with metastasis in hematopoietic cancers. The antibody identifies activated PTK2B in Burkitt’s lymphoma (Raji) and T-cell leukemia (Jurkat) models .
Viral Infection: PTK2B regulates TBK1/STING oligomerization in antiviral innate immunity. Tyr402 phosphorylation may influence this process .
Induction: Strong signal in pervanadate-treated Raji/Jurkat cells (1 mM, 30 min) .
Specificity: No cross-reactivity with unphosphorylated PTK2B or FAK (PTK2) .
Reproducibility: Validated using Simple Western™, showing a single band at ~113 kDa .
PTK2B-deficient macrophages show reduced TBK1/IRF3 phosphorylation during HSV-1 infection, underscoring its role in antiviral signaling .
Tyr402 phosphorylation is required for PTK2B’s interaction with ASC specks in inflammasome activation .
This antibody enables precise tracking of PTK2B activation in:
Phosphorylation at Tyr402 in PTK2B plays a pivotal role in its activation and function within cellular signaling pathways. This residue acts as a major autophosphorylation site, facilitating interactions with SRC family kinases and other signaling molecules. The phosphorylation of Tyr402 is essential for downstream signaling events that regulate cytoskeletal reorganization, cell migration, adhesion, and immune responses . In particular, this modification promotes the recruitment of SH2 domain-containing proteins such as Fyn and GRB2, which are integral to T-cell activation and other immune functions .
Phospho-PTK2B (Tyr402) antibodies are highly specific tools for detecting the phosphorylated form of PTK2B at Tyr402. They are commonly employed in techniques such as Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). These applications allow researchers to monitor the activation status of PTK2B under various experimental conditions . For example:
Western blotting can quantify phosphorylation levels across different treatments or time points.
Immunoprecipitation enables the isolation of PTK2B complexes for further analysis.
IHC and IF provide spatial information about PTK2B activation within tissues or cells.
These methods are particularly useful for studying signaling pathways involved in immune responses, cancer progression, and cellular stress responses .
Experimental controls are crucial to ensure specificity and reliability when using Phospho-PTK2B (Tyr402) antibodies. Recommended controls include:
Negative controls: Samples treated with phosphatase to remove phosphorylation at Tyr402 can confirm antibody specificity for the phosphorylated form.
Positive controls: Cells or tissues known to exhibit high levels of PTK2B phosphorylation at Tyr402 under specific conditions serve as benchmarks.
Isotype controls: These verify that observed signals are not due to nonspecific binding of the antibody's isotype.
Loading controls: Proteins such as actin or tubulin ensure equal sample loading in Western blot experiments .
Additionally, using blocking peptides corresponding to the phosphopeptide immunogen can validate antibody specificity .
Detecting endogenous levels of phosphorylated PTK2B can be challenging due to low abundance or transient phosphorylation events. Strategies to overcome these challenges include:
Optimizing antibody dilution: Start with recommended dilutions (e.g., 1:1000 for Western blotting) and adjust based on signal intensity .
Enhancing signal detection: Use sensitive detection systems such as chemiluminescence or fluorescence-based methods.
Stimulating cells: Treat cells with agents like pervanadate or cytokines to enhance tyrosine phosphorylation before analysis .
Improving sample preparation: Employ rapid lysis protocols with phosphatase inhibitors to preserve phosphorylation states during extraction .
Contradictory data may arise due to differences in experimental conditions, antibody specificity, or biological variability. To address such discrepancies:
Verify antibody specificity: Confirm that the antibody exclusively detects Tyr402-phosphorylated PTK2B using blocking peptides or phosphatase-treated samples.
Standardize experimental conditions: Ensure consistency in cell lines, treatments, and incubation times across experiments.
Analyze biological variability: Consider genetic or environmental factors that may influence PTK2B phosphorylation levels.
Replicate experiments: Perform independent replicates to assess reproducibility .
PTK2B is highly expressed in immune cells and becomes activated upon stimulation by antigen receptors or chemokine receptors. Phosphorylation at Tyr402 is critical for recruiting signaling molecules such as Fyn SH2 domains, which mediate downstream events like T-cell activation and cytokine production . Additionally, PTK2B regulates inflammasome responses by phosphorylating ASC proteins, thereby modulating proinflammatory gene expression induced by TNF-alpha and IL-1β .
In cancer research, Phospho-PTK2B (Tyr402) antibodies are valuable for studying aberrant signaling pathways associated with tumor progression and metastasis. Elevated expression of phosphorylated PTK2B has been observed in gliomas, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer . Researchers can use these antibodies to:
Assess PTK2B activation status in tumor samples via IHC or IF.
Investigate its role in promoting cancer cell migration and invasion through Western blotting.
Explore therapeutic targets by analyzing interactions between phosphorylated PTK2B and other oncogenic proteins .
Quantification of Phospho-PTK2B (Tyr402) can be achieved through several methodologies:
Western blotting: Provides relative quantification based on band intensity normalized against loading controls.
ELISA: Offers high sensitivity for absolute quantification using specific capture and detection antibodies.
Mass spectrometry: Enables precise measurement of phosphorylation levels at Tyr402 along with identification of other post-translational modifications .
Flow cytometry: Allows quantification at a single-cell level when combined with fluorescently labeled antibodies.
Each method has its advantages depending on the research context.
PTK2B interacts with various signaling molecules through its phosphorylated Tyr402 residue. This interaction facilitates complex formation with SRC family kinases, TBK1, STING, and other proteins involved in immune responses or cellular stress pathways . Mechanistically:
Tyr402 phosphorylation promotes SRC-mediated phosphorylation at additional sites like Tyr579 and Tyr881.
Binding to TBK1 enhances its oligomerization and activation during antiviral signaling .
Association with STING regulates innate immunity independently of kinase activity .
Domain-mapping experiments have further elucidated these interactions.
Proper storage is essential to maintain antibody stability:
Short-term storage: Keep undiluted antibodies at 4°C for up to one week.
Long-term storage: Aliquot antibodies into smaller volumes and store at -20°C to prevent repeated freeze-thaw cycles .
Avoid frost-free freezers due to temperature fluctuations that may degrade antibody integrity.