Phospho-TUBA1A/TUBA1B/TUBA1C/TUBA3C/TUBA3E/TUBA4A (Tyr272) antibody specifically recognizes endogenous levels of tubulin alpha proteins only when phosphorylated at tyrosine 272. This phospho-specific antibody is produced by immunizing rabbits with synthetic phosphopeptides derived from human TUBA proteins around the phosphorylation site, using the sequence A-T-Y(p)-A-P. The antibody's specificity is ensured through affinity chromatography purification with the immunizing phosphopeptide, followed by removal of non-phospho-specific antibodies using chromatography with non-phosphopeptides . This high specificity makes it valuable for detecting post-translational modifications in tubulin that may play crucial roles in microtubule dynamics and cellular functions.
The Phospho-TUBA1A/TUBA1B/TUBA1C/TUBA3C/TUBA3E/TUBA4A (Tyr272) antibody has been validated for the following applications with recommended dilutions:
For optimal results, researchers should perform antibody titration experiments to determine the ideal concentration for their specific experimental system, as sensitivity may vary depending on expression levels of phosphorylated tubulin in different cell types and conditions .
Tyrosine 272 phosphorylation represents a critical post-translational modification that influences microtubule dynamics and stability. Research indicates that:
Tyr272 is located near the lateral interfaces of microtubules, potentially modulating interactions between tubulin dimers .
Phosphorylation at this site can affect the binding of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) that regulate polymerization and depolymerization rates .
Changes in phosphorylation status at Tyr272 have been associated with microtubule stability, with phosphorylation generally correlated with more dynamic microtubules .
In neurological contexts, altered phosphorylation at this site has been observed in conditions including Alzheimer's disease, where the phosphorylation subnetwork was found to be highly enriched with differentially expressed genes .
Understanding this modification is particularly relevant in neuronal systems, where precise regulation of microtubule dynamics is essential for neuronal migration, differentiation, and axonal transport .
Proper storage and handling are crucial for maintaining antibody activity:
The antibody is typically supplied in phosphate buffered saline (without Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺), pH 7.4, with 150mM NaCl, 0.02% sodium azide, and 50% glycerol . This formulation helps maintain stability during storage. When handling the antibody, use sterile technique and avoid contamination or exposure to heat or strong light, which can degrade protein structure and compromise function .
Validating phospho-specificity is critical for ensuring reliable results. Consider these methodological approaches:
Phosphatase treatment control: Treat one sample with lambda phosphatase to remove phosphate groups. A true phospho-specific antibody will show reduced or absent signal in the dephosphorylated sample compared to untreated controls.
Peptide competition assay: Pre-incubate the antibody with:
Phosphorylated peptide (should block signal)
Non-phosphorylated peptide (should not affect signal)
Kinase activation/inhibition: Treat cells with:
Kinase activators that increase Tyr272 phosphorylation (should increase signal)
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (should decrease signal)
siRNA knockdown of relevant kinases: Identify and knockdown kinases known to phosphorylate tubulin at Tyr272, then confirm decreased signal.
Ectopic expression studies: Compare wild-type TUBA1A with a Y272F mutant (non-phosphorylatable) to confirm specificity.
Researchers studying tubulin phosphorylation networks have identified connections with HDAC6-related pathways, which may inform experimental design for validation studies . The antibody's purification process, which includes removal of non-phospho-specific antibodies by chromatography, should provide high specificity, but verification in your specific system remains essential .
Research has established important connections between tubulin phosphorylation and neurodevelopmental conditions:
The detection of phosphorylated tubulins in these contexts can provide insights into how post-translational modifications contribute to neuronal migration, differentiation, and the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders .
Detecting phosphorylated tubulin in specific subcellular locations requires tailored approaches:
Subcellular fractionation protocol:
Separate cytosolic, membrane, and cytoskeletal fractions using differential centrifugation
For microtubule-specific isolation, use a microtubule stabilization buffer (containing taxol and GTP) prior to fractionation
Process fractions quickly at 4°C to preserve phosphorylation status
Immunofluorescence optimization:
Fixation method: 4% paraformaldehyde preserves phospho-epitopes better than methanol
Include phosphatase inhibitors (10mM NaF, 1mM Na₃VO₄) in all buffers
Use detergent permeabilization (0.1% Triton X-100) carefully - excessive permeabilization can extract soluble tubulin
Co-stain with markers for specific compartments (e.g., Golgi, centrosome, midbody)
Multi-antibody approach:
Proximity ligation assay (PLA):
Use PLA to detect interactions between phosphorylated tubulin and compartment-specific binding partners
This provides higher specificity for detecting functionally relevant phosphorylated tubulin pools
Research using alpha-tubulin antibodies has demonstrated successful cytoskeleton staining in cell lines like HeLa, showing distinct localization patterns that can be compared with phospho-specific staining . When analyzing results, consider that tubulin phosphorylation may vary across the microtubule network and during different cell cycle stages.
Tyr272 phosphorylation has significant effects on microtubule properties:
To experimentally characterize these effects, researchers can use the Phospho-TUBA1A/TUBA1B/TUBA1C/TUBA3C/TUBA3E/TUBA4A (Tyr272) antibody to quantify phosphorylation levels while simultaneously measuring microtubule dynamics through live-cell imaging of fluorescently tagged tubulin or EB1 (to track growing microtubule plus ends).
Integrating Phospho-TUBA1A/TUBA1B/TUBA1C/TUBA3C/TUBA3E/TUBA4A (Tyr272) antibody into single-cell profiling requires specific adaptations:
Antibody compatibility with Phospho-seq:
DNA oligo conjugation process:
The antibody can be conjugated with complex 15 nt indices as part of a larger DNA-oligo
Use either TSB tags (10X feature barcodes) or TSA tags, with TSB tags being preferred due to potential RBP binding of TSA tags
For conjugation, use TCO-labeled oligos at approximately 15 pmol oligo per μg of antibody (adjust based on oligo age)
Multiplexing capabilities:
Data analysis considerations:
Analyze correlations between tubulin phosphorylation and expression of specific genes
Look for cell subpopulations with distinct phosphorylation patterns
Integrate with other single-cell data to create multi-omic profiles
When implementing this technique, researchers should first validate the conjugated antibody independently through flow cytometry to ensure that oligo conjugation hasn't impaired binding specificity. The storage of conjugated antibodies at 4°C should maintain functionality for at least a year, though TCO-labeled oligos may gradually lose their TCO-label over time .
Detecting low-abundance phosphorylated tubulin presents challenges that can be addressed through specialized techniques:
Phosphoprotein enrichment strategies:
Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) using Fe³⁺ or Ga³⁺ columns
Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) enrichment specifically for phosphopeptides
Phospho-specific immunoprecipitation using the Phospho-TUBA1A/TUBA1B/TUBA1C/TUBA3C/TUBA3E/TUBA4A (Tyr272) antibody
Signal amplification methods:
Tyramide signal amplification (TSA) for immunofluorescence
Enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) with high-sensitivity substrates for Western blots
Proximity ligation assay (PLA) to detect specific interactions involving phosphorylated tubulin
Sample preparation optimization:
Include phosphatase inhibitors (sodium orthovanadate, sodium fluoride, β-glycerophosphate) in all buffers
Maintain samples at 4°C during processing
Use proteasome inhibitors to prevent degradation of phosphorylated proteins
Consider heat-stabilization methods that rapidly inactivate phosphatases
Advanced detection platforms:
Nano-flow liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry
Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) or parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) for targeted detection
Digital Western blot platforms with increased sensitivity and dynamic range
For experimental control and validation, parallel analysis of samples treated with tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors or tyrosine kinase activators can provide positive controls with increased signals. Researchers studying phosphorylation networks in neurological disorders have employed such approaches to detect subtle changes in tubulin phosphorylation states .
HDAC6 and tubulin phosphorylation exhibit complex interactions that can be studied using this antibody:
Experimental design to investigate HDAC6-phosphorylation interactions:
Treat cells with specific HDAC6 inhibitors (tubastatin A, ACY-1215) and measure changes in TUBA1A/TUBA1B/TUBA1C/TUBA3C/TUBA3E/TUBA4A Tyr272 phosphorylation
Perform HDAC6 knockdown/overexpression and assess effects on tubulin phosphorylation status
Combine with acetylation-specific tubulin antibodies to examine the relationship between these modifications
Relevant biological contexts:
Neurodegeneration models: HDAC6 regulatory mechanisms have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, showing connections to phosphorylation networks
Epithelial organization: HDAC6 suppression reverses oncogenic Shp2-induced multiple apical domains and spindle misorientation
Cancer models: Both HDAC6 activity and tubulin phosphorylation are altered in various cancer types
Detection protocol for dual modifications:
Sequential immunoprecipitation (IP) using anti-acetylated tubulin followed by Western blot with Phospho-TUBA1A/TUBA1B/TUBA1C/TUBA3C/TUBA3E/TUBA4A (Tyr272) antibody
Alternatively, IP with Phospho-TUBA1A/TUBA1B/TUBA1C/TUBA3C/TUBA3E/TUBA4A (Tyr272) antibody followed by probing for acetylation
Double immunofluorescence staining to visualize co-localization patterns
Mechanistic investigations:
Examine if HDAC6-mediated deacetylation affects accessibility of Tyr272 for phosphorylation
Assess whether phosphorylation at Tyr272 influences HDAC6 binding to tubulin
Investigate downstream effects on microtubule dynamics and cellular functions
Research has shown that HDAC6 inhibition causes changes in Cdc42 activity and affects myosin II and ERK1/2 activity, which may indirectly influence tubulin phosphorylation states . Using the Phospho-TUBA1A/TUBA1B/TUBA1C/TUBA3C/TUBA3E/TUBA4A (Tyr272) antibody in combination with phospho-specific antibodies against these signaling molecules can provide a comprehensive view of the signaling networks involved.