The PIK3R5 antibody is a specialized immunoglobulin designed to detect the phosphoinositide 3-kinase regulatory subunit 5 (PIK3R5) protein, a critical component of the PI3K gamma complex. This antibody is widely used in molecular biology research for applications such as Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). Its specificity and sensitivity make it a valuable tool for studying PIK3R5’s role in cellular signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide metabolism and immune cell activation .
Protein Characteristics:
Biological Role:
PIK3R5 forms a heterodimer with the catalytic subunit PIK3CG (p110γ) to regulate signaling pathways involved in immune cell activation, chemotaxis, and survival . It interacts with G-protein βγ subunits via residues 653-753 .
A 2021 study identified rs444904 (G>A) and rs427554 (G>A) in the PIK3R5 gene as predictors of hypertension in patients treated with VEGF inhibitors (sorafenib, bevacizumab) . These SNPs were associated with:
Mechanism: The A allele reduces PIK3R5 expression, potentially altering PI3Kγ activity and blood pressure regulation .
| SNP | Gene Region | MAF | OR (95% CI) | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rs444904 | Intron | 0.14 | 3.88 (1.54-9.81) | 0.0057 |
| rs427554 | Intron | 0.14 | 1.39 (1.09-1.78) | 0.008 |
PIK3R5, also known as p101 or FOAP-2, is the regulatory subunit 5 of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). It plays a crucial role in the PI3K signaling pathway, which is involved in cellular functions including growth, proliferation, differentiation, motility, survival, and intracellular trafficking. This pathway is implicated in cancer and other diseases, making PIK3R5 an important research target. The regulatory function of PIK3R5 comes from its interaction with PIK3CG, making it essential for proper PI3K function and downstream signaling effects . Understanding PIK3R5 is vital for researchers investigating cellular signaling mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets in disease states.
When selecting a PIK3R5 antibody, consider several factors based on your experimental needs:
Species reactivity: Determine which species your samples are from. Available antibodies show reactivity across human, mouse, rat, dog, and monkey species .
Application compatibility: Different clones perform optimally in specific applications:
Epitope recognition: Depending on your research question, select antibodies targeting specific domains:
Clonality preference: Monoclonal antibodies (like OTI4G9, 2A6, 5B1) provide consistent lot-to-lot reproducibility, while polyclonal antibodies may offer broader epitope recognition but with potential batch variation .
The optimal choice depends on your specific experimental goals, tissue types, and detection methods.
PIK3R5 antibodies serve multiple critical applications in cell biology research:
Western Blotting (WB): Enables quantification and molecular weight verification of PIK3R5 (theoretical MW 97.2 kDa). Useful for detecting expression levels across different cell lines and experimental conditions .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Allows visualization of PIK3R5 expression patterns within tissue contexts, particularly important for in situ analysis of signaling pathway components in normal versus diseased states .
Immunocytochemistry/Immunofluorescence (ICC/IF): Enables subcellular localization studies to determine where PIK3R5 functions within cells and how its distribution changes under various stimuli or conditions .
Protein-Protein Interaction Studies: Some antibodies are suitable for co-immunoprecipitation or proximity ligation assays (PLA) to investigate PIK3R5's interaction with binding partners like PIK3CG .
Flow Cytometry (FACS): Select antibodies can be used to quantify PIK3R5 expression at the single-cell level, particularly useful for heterogeneous cell populations .
These applications collectively enable researchers to investigate PIK3R5's expression, localization, interactions, and functional significance in cellular signaling pathways.
For rigorous immunocytochemistry experiments with PIK3R5 antibodies, incorporate these essential controls:
Primary antibody specificity controls:
Positive control: Use cells with known PIK3R5 expression (e.g., HEK293T cells transfected with PIK3R5 expression vector as shown in validation studies)
Negative control: Use cells without primary antibody treatment but with secondary antibody to assess non-specific binding
Isotype control: Include matched isotype control antibody (e.g., Mouse IgG2b for clone 2A6) to identify any non-specific binding related to the antibody class
Cross-reactivity considerations:
Technical controls:
Concentration gradient: Test antibody at multiple dilutions (starting with 1:100 as recommended)
Subcellular marker co-staining: Use established subcellular markers to confirm expected localization pattern
Fluorophore controls: Include single-color controls if performing multi-color immunofluorescence
Signal validation:
Verify results with a second PIK3R5 antibody targeting a different epitope
Compare staining patterns with published literature on PIK3R5 localization
Careful implementation of these controls ensures reliable and interpretable immunocytochemistry results with minimal artifacts or false positives.
Optimizing Western blot protocols for PIK3R5 detection requires attention to several critical parameters:
Sample preparation:
Gel selection and transfer:
Use 8-10% SDS-PAGE gels to properly resolve PIK3R5's 97.2 kDa molecular weight
Consider gradient gels if analyzing both PIK3R5 and binding partners of different sizes
Optimize transfer conditions for high molecular weight proteins (longer transfer time or lower current)
Antibody incubation:
Detection and troubleshooting:
Be aware that observed molecular weight may vary from the predicted 97.2 kDa due to post-translational modifications
If detecting transfected tagged PIK3R5, account for the additional weight of the tag
For weak signals, increase protein load or reduce antibody dilution before extending exposure times
Normalization and quantification:
Strip and reprobe for loading controls appropriate for your experimental context
Use housekeeping proteins expressed at comparable levels to PIK3R5 for accurate quantification
Following these optimization strategies will yield cleaner, more reproducible Western blot results for PIK3R5 detection across experimental conditions.
To maximize PIK3R5 antibody stability and performance, follow these evidence-based reconstitution and storage protocols:
Initial reconstitution:
Storage conditions:
Buffer considerations:
Working solution preparation:
Prepare fresh working dilutions on the day of experimentation
Use buffers appropriate for your application (PBS with 0.1-0.5% BSA for most applications)
Document lot numbers, reconstitution dates, and dilution factors for reproducibility
Performance monitoring:
Periodically test antibody performance against a reference sample
Consider preparing a standard positive control lysate in bulk and storing as single-use aliquots
Monitor for signs of degradation: reduced signal intensity, increased background, or appearance of non-specific bands
Adhering to these protocols will ensure optimal antibody performance and extend the useful life of your PIK3R5 antibodies across multiple experiments.
Investigating PIK3R5 protein-protein interactions in the PI3K signaling pathway requires sophisticated approaches:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP):
Select PIK3R5 antibodies that don't interfere with known binding regions, particularly the PIK3CG interaction interface
Use gentle lysis conditions (non-ionic detergents like NP-40 or Triton X-100 at 0.5-1%)
Optimize antibody:protein ratios to maximize capture without disrupting complexes
Validate results bidirectionally by performing reverse Co-IPs (e.g., pull down with PIK3CG antibody, probe for PIK3R5)
Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA):
Several PIK3R5 antibodies are validated for PLA applications
Use antibody pairs from different host species (e.g., mouse anti-PIK3R5 and rabbit anti-PIK3CG)
Include distance controls (proteins known to be more distant than the PLA detection limit of ~40nm)
Quantify interaction signals using appropriate image analysis software
Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC):
Use PIK3R5 antibodies to validate expression and localization of fusion constructs
Compare BiFC results with antibody-based detection of endogenous interactions
Perform competition assays with untagged PIK3R5 to confirm specificity
Cross-linking Mass Spectrometry:
Use PIK3R5 antibodies for enrichment of cross-linked complexes prior to MS analysis
Validate MS-identified interactions using traditional antibody-based methods
Design experiments to capture both stable and transient interactions
Experimental verification:
Employ domain-specific antibodies to map binding interfaces
Use phospho-specific antibodies to correlate phosphorylation status with interaction dynamics
Include physiologically relevant activators or inhibitors of the PI3K pathway to assess context-dependent interactions
These approaches, used complementarily, provide robust evidence for PIK3R5's interaction partners and their functional significance in PI3K signaling.
Researchers frequently encounter several challenges when using PIK3R5 antibodies for immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissues:
Epitope masking issues:
Formalin fixation can cross-link proteins and mask PIK3R5 epitopes
Solution: Optimize antigen retrieval methods (heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer pH 6.0 or EDTA buffer pH 9.0)
Test multiple retrieval conditions with positive control tissues
Species cross-reactivity concerns:
Signal specificity verification:
PIK3R5 may show variable expression across different cell types within the same tissue
Solution: Include positive and negative control tissues with known PIK3R5 expression profiles
Validate staining patterns with antibodies targeting different PIK3R5 epitopes
Optimal antibody dilution determination:
Detection system selection:
PIK3R5's expression level may require signal amplification in some tissues
Solution: Compare standard two-step detection versus amplification systems (e.g., polymer-based or tyramide signal amplification)
Select detection systems compatible with multiplex staining if co-localization studies are planned
Interpretation challenges:
Distinguishing specific from non-specific staining requires experience
Solution: Include isotype controls and secondary-only controls
Compare subcellular localization patterns with published data on PIK3R5
Addressing these pitfalls systematically will significantly improve the reliability and interpretability of PIK3R5 immunohistochemistry results in paraffin-embedded tissues.
Interpreting conflicting results between different detection methods for PIK3R5 requires a systematic analytical approach:
Method-specific limitations assessment:
Epitope availability analysis:
Specificity verification:
Resolution of conflicts through complementary approaches:
For WB vs. IHC discrepancies: Consider subcellular fractionation to determine if localized pools explain differences
For protein vs. mRNA discrepancies: Investigate post-transcriptional regulation through pulse-chase experiments
For differences between antibodies: Map the exact epitopes and consider epitope accessibility in different assays
Biological context consideration:
PIK3R5 expression and localization may be stimulus-dependent or cell cycle-regulated
Confirm experimental conditions are truly comparable between methods
Document the physiological state of samples across all detection methods
When properly analyzed, seemingly conflicting results often reveal important biological insights about PIK3R5 regulation, localization, or post-translational modifications rather than technical artifacts.
PIK3R5 antibodies offer multiple approaches for cancer research and therapeutic target identification:
Expression profiling across cancer types:
Use immunohistochemistry with PIK3R5 antibodies to screen tissue microarrays across multiple cancer types
Compare expression levels in matched normal/tumor samples using Western blot quantification
Correlate PIK3R5 expression with clinical parameters and patient outcomes
Signaling pathway analysis:
Employ phospho-specific antibodies alongside PIK3R5 detection to map activation states of downstream effectors
Use PIK3R5 antibodies in multiplexed immunofluorescence to visualize colocalization with other PI3K pathway components
Monitor PIK3R5 expression/localization changes in response to pathway inhibitors
Mechanistic studies:
Immunoprecipitate PIK3R5 to identify novel binding partners in cancer cells versus normal cells
Use antibodies to track PIK3R5 subcellular localization changes during cancer progression
Investigate post-translational modifications of PIK3R5 in cancer contexts
Therapeutic development applications:
Screen for compounds that disrupt critical PIK3R5 protein-protein interactions
Use antibodies to validate target engagement in drug development pipelines
Develop antibody-drug conjugates targeting cancer cells with aberrant PIK3R5 expression
Biomarker development:
Validate PIK3R5 as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker using antibody-based assays
Develop standardized immunohistochemical scoring systems for PIK3R5 in different cancer contexts
Correlate PIK3R5 expression with response to PI3K pathway inhibitors
Resistance mechanism investigation:
Monitor changes in PIK3R5 expression/localization in models of acquired resistance
Use antibodies to identify compensatory signaling networks that emerge following treatment
These applications leverage the specificity of PIK3R5 antibodies to advance understanding of cancer biology and identify novel therapeutic approaches targeting the PI3K pathway.
Implementing successful multiplexed immunofluorescence with PIK3R5 antibodies requires careful optimization:
Antibody panel design:
Select PIK3R5 antibodies from different host species than other target antibodies in your panel
For mouse-derived PIK3R5 antibodies (like OTI4G9), pair with rabbit, goat, or rat antibodies for other targets
Verify that secondary antibodies have minimal cross-reactivity
Sequential staining protocol:
For challenging combinations, implement sequential staining with stripping or blocking steps
Order of antibody application: begin with lowest abundance target (often PIK3R5) to maximize detection
Consider using directly conjugated primary antibodies to simplify multiplexing
Sample preparation optimization:
Select fixation method that preserves all target epitopes (4% PFA is generally suitable)
Optimize antigen retrieval carefully - different epitopes may require different conditions
For tissues, reduce autofluorescence using treatments like Sudan Black B or commercial reagents
Signal separation strategies:
Use spectral imaging and unmixing for fluorophores with overlapping spectra
Design panels with maximally separated excitation/emission profiles
If using tyramide signal amplification, perform sequential TSA with microwave treatment between rounds
Validation controls:
Include single-color controls for accurate compensation/unmixing
Prepare absorption controls by pre-incubating antibodies with immunizing peptides
Compare multiplexed staining patterns with single-staining results to identify interference
PIK3R5-specific considerations:
Image acquisition and analysis:
Acquire z-stacks to capture complete spatial information
Use appropriate controls for colocalization analysis (Pearson's coefficient, Manders' overlap)
Consider advanced analysis tools for quantifying spatial relationships between PIK3R5 and other proteins
Following these protocols enables robust multiplexed detection of PIK3R5 alongside other proteins of interest for comprehensive pathway analysis.
PIK3R5 exhibits significant variation in expression and function across cell types and experimental models:
Cell line expression patterns:
Western blot analysis reveals detectable PIK3R5 expression across diverse cell lines including HepG2, HeLa, SVT2, A549, COS7, Jurkat, MDCK, PC12, and MCF7
Expression levels vary considerably, with immune cells (e.g., Jurkat) often showing higher baseline expression
Species conservation allows detection across human, mouse, rat, canine, and monkey cell lines
Tissue-specific expression profiles:
Highest expression observed in immune tissues and cells, consistent with PIK3R5's role in immune signaling
Brain tissues show distinct regional variation in PIK3R5 expression
Expression can be induced in some tissues/cells following specific stimuli (particularly inflammatory signals)
Subcellular localization differences:
Functional variation by cell type:
| Cell Type | Primary PIK3R5 Function | Detection Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Immune cells | Regulates chemotaxis and inflammatory responses | Higher baseline expression |
| Endothelial cells | Mediates angiogenic responses | Expression increases under hypoxic conditions |
| Neurons | Involved in neurotrophin signaling | Region-specific expression patterns |
| Cancer cells | Often dysregulated, promoting proliferation and survival | Expression correlates with aggressive phenotypes in some cancers |
Model system considerations:
Experimental induction factors:
Understanding these variations is essential for proper experimental design and interpretation of results when studying PIK3R5 across different biological contexts.
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) significantly impact PIK3R5 detection with antibodies through several mechanisms:
Epitope masking effects:
Modification-specific detection challenges:
Phosphorylation: Major regulatory mechanism for PIK3R5 function
Ubiquitination: Can affect protein turnover and detection sensitivity
Glycosylation: May alter antibody accessibility to protein backbone epitopes
Methodological considerations by technique:
| Technique | PTM Impact | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | Altered migration patterns | Include phosphatase/deglycosylase treated controls |
| IP | Modified epitopes may affect pull-down efficiency | Use multiple antibodies targeting different regions |
| IHC/IF | Fixation can preserve or destroy PTMs | Optimize fixation protocols for PTM preservation |
Stimulus-dependent modification patterns:
Activation of PI3K signaling induces specific phosphorylation patterns
Experimental treatments may alter PTM status without changing expression
Time-course studies are recommended to capture dynamic modification changes
Cell type-specific modification profiles:
Different cell types exhibit distinct PTM patterns on PIK3R5
The same antibody may show variable detection efficiency across cell types
Validation across multiple cell types is recommended for new applications
Specialized detection approaches:
For comprehensive PTM analysis, consider using antibodies targeting specific PIK3R5 modifications
Phospho-specific antibodies can complement total PIK3R5 detection
Mass spectrometry following immunoprecipitation with PIK3R5 antibodies can identify novel modifications
Researchers should document experimental conditions that may affect PIK3R5 modification status and consider how these modifications might impact antibody detection when interpreting results across different experimental contexts.
Researchers should be vigilant about several cross-reactivity issues when working with PIK3R5 antibodies:
Species cross-reactivity considerations:
Mouse-on-mouse reactivity issues:
PI3K family cross-reactivity:
Isoform-specific detection challenges:
Multiple isoforms or splice variants of PIK3R5 may exist
Antibodies may preferentially detect certain isoforms depending on epitope location
Document which isoforms are detected by your specific antibody
Application-specific cross-reactivity:
| Application | Common Cross-Reactivity Issues | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | Secondary bands at unexpected molecular weights | Include positive controls with known PIK3R5 expression |
| IHC/IF | Non-specific tissue binding | Include absorption controls with immunizing peptide |
| IP | Co-precipitation of binding partners | Use stringent washing and validate with reciprocal IP |
Commercial antibody validation:
Technical remediation approaches:
Preabsorption with immunizing peptides can confirm specificity
Side-by-side comparison of multiple PIK3R5 antibodies targeting different epitopes
Genetic approaches (siRNA, CRISPR) provide definitive specificity controls
Thorough validation of PIK3R5 antibodies in your specific experimental system is essential to identify and address potential cross-reactivity issues before conducting critical experiments.
Recent advances in using PIK3R5 antibodies for single-cell analysis represent significant methodological breakthroughs:
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) applications:
Metal-conjugated PIK3R5 antibodies enable high-dimensional analysis alongside dozens of other markers
Palladium or rare earth metal conjugates provide minimal signal overlap
Allows correlation of PIK3R5 expression with cell type, activation state, and other signaling molecules at single-cell resolution
Most effective with antibodies validated for flow cytometry applications
Single-cell imaging mass spectrometry:
Antibodies conjugated to mass tags enable spatial analysis of PIK3R5 in tissue contexts
Multiplexed ion beam imaging (MIBI) and multiplexed immunofluorescence techniques allow simultaneous detection of PIK3R5 and 40+ other proteins
Preserves tissue architecture while providing single-cell resolution
Microfluidic approaches:
In situ protein analysis:
Proximity ligation assays (PLA) with PIK3R5 antibodies detect protein-protein interactions in single cells
Highly multiplexed immunofluorescence with signal amplification improves detection of low-abundance PIK3R5
Cyclic immunofluorescence methods enable detection of PIK3R5 alongside 50+ other proteins in the same sample
Live-cell applications:
Membrane-permeable PIK3R5 antibody derivatives for intracellular tracking
Nanobody-based detection systems with reduced steric hindrance
Integration with optogenetic approaches for simultaneous perturbation and detection
Computational analysis integration:
Machine learning algorithms to identify PIK3R5 expression patterns in heterogeneous cell populations
Trajectory analysis to map PIK3R5 dynamics during cellular processes
Spatial statistics to quantify PIK3R5 colocalization with pathway components at subcellular resolution
Validation approaches for single-cell techniques:
Correlation with bulk measurements to confirm signal specificity
Genetic manipulation (CRISPR knockout) controls for antibody specificity
Spike-in controls with cells expressing known PIK3R5 levels
These advances are transforming our understanding of PIK3R5 biology by revealing cell-to-cell variability and context-dependent functions that were previously obscured in bulk analyses.