The PLA2G4F antibody, conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), is a specialized immunological tool designed for the detection and analysis of the phospholipase A2 group IVF (PLA2G4F) protein. This enzyme plays a critical role in lipid metabolism, specifically in the hydrolysis of phospholipids to produce fatty acids and lysophospholipids . The HRP-conjugated format enhances sensitivity in applications such as Western blotting (WB), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunohistochemistry (IHC), enabling researchers to study PLA2G4F’s involvement in cellular processes and disease mechanisms.
3.1. Disease Association
PLA2G4F has been implicated in pathological processes, including cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders . For example, its dysregulation is linked to lipid mediator production, which can exacerbate inflammatory responses .
3.2. Diagnostic Utility
The antibody’s specificity for PLA2G4F enables precise detection in complex biological samples. In IHC, it has been validated for staining in paraffin-embedded tissues, such as pancreatic cancer samples, using citrate buffer antigen retrieval and HRP-based visualization .
| Supplier | Catalog Number | Applications | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibodies-online | ABIN7149418 | ELISA, IHC | $753.50 |
| Assay Genie | PACO63107 | WB, ELISA, IHC | $275.49 |
| Creative Diagnostics | N/A | WB | $290.00 |
| Thermo Fisher | N/A | IHC | Inquire |
Note: Prices may vary based on batch size and regional availability.
HRP-conjugated antibodies leverage the enzyme’s catalytic activity to oxidize substrates, producing detectable signals. For example:
PLA2G4F (Phospholipase A2, Group IVF) is a member of the cytosolic phospholipase A2 family that selectively hydrolyzes glycerophospholipids at the sn-2 position. This enzyme plays important roles in membrane lipid remodeling, inflammatory response regulation, and cellular signaling pathways. PLA2G4F shares structural similarities with other group IV PLA2 enzymes but has distinct substrate preferences and tissue distribution patterns. The protein is encoded by a gene located in humans with molecular weight of approximately 95 kDa . Understanding PLA2G4F's function is critical for researchers investigating lipid metabolism, inflammation processes, and related pathological conditions.
PLA2G4F antibodies specifically target the Group IVF phospholipase, distinguishing it from other family members such as PLA2G4D. The primary differences lie in the epitope recognition regions and cross-reactivity profiles. While PLA2G4F antibodies typically target amino acid regions 74-299 of the human protein , other family member antibodies like PLA2G4D antibodies target different epitopes specific to their respective proteins . This specificity is crucial for experimental design, as using the correct antibody ensures accurate detection of your target protein without cross-reactivity with related family members. When selecting between phospholipase antibodies, researchers should carefully verify the target sequence and validation data to ensure appropriate specificity for their experimental system.
The specificity of HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibodies is verified through multiple validation methods. These typically include:
Western blot analysis comparing PLA2G4F-expressing and non-expressing cell lysates
ELISA assays with recombinant PLA2G4F protein and related family members
Immunohistochemistry with positive and negative control tissues
Pre-adsorption controls with the immunizing peptide
The HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody shows reactivity specifically with human samples as indicated in the product information . Validation data typically demonstrates a single band at approximately 95 kDa in Western blots of human samples, with minimal cross-reactivity to other phospholipase family members. Researchers should review these validation data before selecting an antibody for their specific application to ensure appropriate specificity.
For optimal use of HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody in ELISA applications, the following protocol is recommended:
Coat plates with capture antigen (recombinant PLA2G4F protein or sample) at 1-10 μg/mL in carbonate buffer (pH 9.6) overnight at 4°C
Block with 3% BSA in PBS for 1 hour at room temperature
Apply HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody at a recommended dilution of 1:500 to 1:2000
Incubate for 1-2 hours at room temperature with gentle shaking
Wash extensively (4-5 times) with PBST (PBS + 0.05% Tween-20)
Develop with TMB substrate and measure absorbance at 450 nm
Optimization may be required for specific experimental systems. A preliminary titration experiment using 2-fold serial dilutions from 1:100 to 1:3200 is recommended to determine the optimal antibody concentration for your specific assay conditions. The antibody shows optimal performance in the pH range of 7.2-7.6 and temperatures between 20-25°C.
For immunohistochemistry (IHC) applications with HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody, follow this methodological approach:
Prepare paraffin-embedded or frozen tissue sections (4-6 μm thickness)
For paraffin sections: Deparaffinize, rehydrate, and perform antigen retrieval (citrate buffer pH 6.0, 95°C for 20 minutes recommended)
Block endogenous peroxidase with 3% H₂O₂ in methanol for 15 minutes
Block non-specific binding with 5% normal serum in PBS for 1 hour
Apply HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody at a dilution of 1:20-1:200
Incubate overnight at 4°C in a humidified chamber
Wash with PBS (3 × 5 minutes)
Develop with DAB substrate until optimal signal is achieved (typically 2-5 minutes)
Counterstain with hematoxylin, dehydrate, and mount
For frozen sections, fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde for 10 minutes prior to blocking steps is recommended. Optimization of antibody dilution is crucial, as the optimal concentration may vary based on tissue type and fixation method. Positive control tissues known to express PLA2G4F should be included in each experiment.
To maintain optimal activity of HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody, adhere to the following storage recommendations:
Store unopened antibody at -20°C or -80°C as indicated in the product documentation
After initial use, aliquot to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Each aliquot should be sufficient for a single experiment
For short-term storage (≤1 month), store at 4°C protected from light
Avoid exposure to elevated temperatures, extreme pH conditions, and oxidizing agents
The antibody contains preservatives such as ProClin 300 (0.03%) in a buffer of 50% glycerol and 0.01M PBS at pH 7.4 . This formulation helps maintain stability, but activity will gradually decrease over time. HRP activity is typically stable for 6-12 months when stored properly. Perform a small-scale activity test if the antibody has been stored for an extended period before using in critical experiments.
To minimize non-specific background when using HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody, implement these methodological strategies:
Optimize blocking conditions:
Increase blocking agent concentration (5-10% normal serum or BSA)
Extend blocking time to 1-2 hours at room temperature
Consider adding 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 to the blocking solution for better penetration
Optimize antibody dilution:
Improve washing procedures:
Increase number of washes (5-6 times)
Extend washing duration (10 minutes per wash)
Use PBS with 0.05-0.1% Tween-20 for more effective washing
Additional strategies:
Pre-adsorb the antibody with non-specific proteins
Include 1-5% of the host species serum in the antibody diluent
Treat samples with commercial background reducers if appropriate
A systematic approach to optimization is recommended, changing only one parameter at a time to identify the most effective conditions for your specific experimental system.
False negative results when using HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody may stem from various methodological issues. The following table outlines common causes and recommended solutions:
| Potential Cause | Technical Explanation | Recommended Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Inadequate antigen retrieval | Formalin fixation masks epitopes | Use citrate buffer (pH 6.0) or EDTA buffer (pH 9.0) at 95-100°C for 20-30 minutes |
| Insufficient antibody concentration | Antibody concentration below detection threshold | Increase antibody concentration or extend incubation time |
| HRP enzyme inactivation | Exposure to oxidizing agents or extreme pH | Use fresh antibody aliquot and verify proper storage conditions |
| Insufficient incubation time | Inadequate time for antibody-antigen binding | Extend incubation to overnight at 4°C |
| Target protein degradation | Proteolytic degradation during sample preparation | Add protease inhibitors during sample preparation |
| Low target protein expression | Target protein expressed below detection limit | Use signal amplification systems (e.g., tyramide signal amplification) |
| Substrate depletion | Insufficient substrate for HRP reaction | Ensure fresh substrate preparation and appropriate development time |
If false negative results persist despite these adjustments, verify the presence of PLA2G4F in your samples using alternative detection methods, such as RT-PCR or mass spectrometry.
For enhancing signal strength when detecting low-abundance PLA2G4F with HRP-conjugated antibodies, employ these methodological approaches:
Signal amplification systems:
Implement tyramide signal amplification (TSA), which can increase sensitivity by 10-100 fold
Use polymer-based detection systems that increase HRP molecules per binding event
Consider avidin-biotin amplification if using a biotinylated primary antibody
Sample enrichment techniques:
Perform subcellular fractionation to concentrate target proteins
Use immunoprecipitation to enrich PLA2G4F before detection
Concentrate protein samples through TCA precipitation or similar methods
Optimize detection conditions:
Extend substrate development time (monitor closely to prevent background increase)
Use enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) substrates with higher sensitivity
Optimize exposure times for imaging (multiple exposures recommended)
Reduce detection thresholds:
Use cooled CCD cameras for imaging with increased exposure time
Employ photomultiplier-based detection systems with increased sensitivity settings
Consider computational image enhancement with appropriate controls
When implementing signal enhancement strategies, always include appropriate controls to distinguish between specific signal enhancement and increased background.
For multiplex immunoassay development using HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody alongside other phospholipase antibodies, implement these methodological approaches:
Sequential detection strategy:
Apply antibodies in order of sensitivity (least sensitive to most sensitive)
Use complete stripping between detection cycles (validate stripping efficiency)
Employ different chromogenic substrates for different HRP-conjugated antibodies
Document each detection step separately with appropriate imaging
Spatial separation technique:
Use microarray or compartmentalized assay platforms
Apply different antibodies to distinct spatial regions
Develop a standardized normalization method across regions
Spectral separation method:
Combine HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody with antibodies conjugated to different enzymes (e.g., alkaline phosphatase)
Use substrates that produce spectrally distinct products
Implement multi-wavelength detection and spectral unmixing algorithms
For optimal results, validation experiments should demonstrate lack of cross-reactivity between antibodies and absence of signal interference. Cross-validation with single-antibody controls is essential to confirm that the multiplex assay provides equivalent results to individual assays.
PLA2G4F plays a significant role in inflammatory responses through regulation of arachidonic acid release and subsequent eicosanoid production. HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody can contribute to this research through:
Quantitative assessment of PLA2G4F expression:
Measure PLA2G4F protein levels in inflammatory versus normal tissues
Correlate expression with clinical parameters or disease severity
Monitor temporal changes in expression during inflammation progression
Cellular localization studies:
Determine subcellular translocation during inflammatory activation
Analyze co-localization with inflammatory pathway components
Investigate cell type-specific expression in inflammatory microenvironments
Functional association studies:
Correlate PLA2G4F localization with markers of inflammatory activation
Compare PLA2G4F expression with downstream inflammatory mediators
Evaluate potential associations with specific inflammatory pathways
Published research indicates that phospholipase A2 family members play critical roles in inflammatory diseases through lipid mediator generation. The HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody enables sensitive detection of this protein in various inflammatory models, contributing to our understanding of its specific role compared to other family members.
The specificity and sensitivity of HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody varies across experimental systems due to several factors. The following table compares detection characteristics in different sample types:
| Experimental System | Specificity Considerations | Optimization Recommendations | Expected Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Lines (endogenous expression) | Generally high specificity with minor non-specific bands | Use positive control cell lines with known PLA2G4F expression; compare with knockout/knockdown controls | Detection limit approximately 0.1-0.5 ng of protein |
| Cell Lines (overexpression) | Potential artifacts due to non-physiological expression levels | Include empty-vector controls; use moderate expression systems | High sensitivity due to abundant target |
| Fresh Tissue Lysates | Good specificity but potential for cross-reactivity with related proteins | Include tissue-specific negative controls; optimize lysis buffers to maintain epitope integrity | Moderate sensitivity (0.5-1 ng of protein) |
| FFPE Tissue Sections | Reduced epitope accessibility; potential fixation artifacts | Optimize antigen retrieval; longer antibody incubation times; use amplification systems | Lower sensitivity compared to fresh samples |
| Blood/Serum Samples | High background due to abundant serum proteins | Pre-clear samples; use sandwich ELISA format rather than direct detection | Variable sensitivity based on target abundance |
The antibody shows reactivity with human samples as indicated in the product information . When transitioning between experimental systems, validation experiments should be performed to confirm specificity in each new system. Western blot analysis of both the new system and a validated positive control should be conducted in parallel to ensure consistent detection.
Recent research applications utilizing PLA2G4F antibodies in lipid metabolism disorders include:
Metabolic disease investigations:
Quantification of PLA2G4F expression in adipose tissues from normal versus obese subjects
Correlation analysis between PLA2G4F levels and insulin resistance markers
Evaluation of altered PLA2G4F expression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Lipid signaling pathway analysis:
Investigation of PLA2G4F's role in generating specific lipid second messengers
Comparison with other phospholipase family members in specific lipid mobilization
Identification of unique substrate preferences through co-localization with lipid pools
Therapeutic target evaluation:
Screening potential inhibitors of PLA2G4F activity
Monitoring PLA2G4F expression changes in response to treatments
Evaluating PLA2G4F as a biomarker for treatment response
HRP-conjugated antibodies facilitate sensitive detection in these applications through techniques like immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and Western blotting. The conjugation to HRP eliminates the need for secondary antibody incubation, reducing background and improving specific signal detection in complex lipid-rich samples.
For rigorous research applications utilizing HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody, implement this comprehensive control strategy:
Positive controls:
Cell lines or tissues with confirmed PLA2G4F expression
Recombinant PLA2G4F protein (full-length or the specific epitope region)
Previously validated samples with known signal patterns
Negative controls:
PLA2G4F knockout or knockdown samples
Tissues known not to express PLA2G4F
Isotype control antibody (rabbit IgG, HRP-conjugated) at the same concentration
Technical controls:
Validation controls:
Parallel detection with an alternative PLA2G4F antibody recognizing a different epitope
Correlation with mRNA expression (RT-PCR)
Blocking peptide controls to confirm specificity
Documentation of all control results is essential for publication-quality research. Quantitative assessment of signal-to-noise ratios across controls provides objective evaluation of assay performance and reliability.
Tissue fixation methodology significantly impacts the performance of HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody in immunohistochemistry. The following table summarizes these effects:
| Fixation Method | Impact on Epitope Accessibility | Recommended Antigen Retrieval | Signal Quality | Background Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin (24h) | Moderate epitope masking | Citrate buffer (pH 6.0), 20 min at 95°C | Good to excellent with proper retrieval | Low background with adequate blocking |
| 4% Paraformaldehyde (12-24h) | Mild epitope masking | EDTA buffer (pH 9.0), 15 min at 95°C | Excellent signal preservation | Minimal background |
| Methanol/Acetone (10 min) | Good epitope preservation but potential protein extraction | Usually not required | Good signal but potential morphological issues | Potential non-specific binding |
| Bouin's Fixative | Significant epitope masking | Tris-EDTA (pH 9.0), 30 min at 95°C | Variable, depends on tissue type | Higher background possible |
| Zinc-based Fixatives | Excellent epitope preservation | Mild retrieval may improve results | Good to excellent signal | Low background |
| Frozen Sections (Acetone post-fixation) | Minimal epitope masking | Not required | Excellent signal | Potential higher background |
For optimal results with the HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody in immunohistochemistry applications, 4% paraformaldehyde fixation for 12-24 hours followed by paraffin embedding generally provides the best balance of tissue morphology preservation and epitope accessibility. For challenging samples, a comparative approach testing multiple fixation and retrieval methods may be necessary to determine optimal conditions.
When comparing HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody with unconjugated versions, several performance characteristics should be considered:
Sensitivity comparison:
Direct HRP conjugation typically offers 1.5-2× improved sensitivity over two-step detection
Elimination of secondary antibody binding variability provides more consistent results
Signal amplification capability is generally reduced compared to multi-step detection systems
Specificity analysis:
HRP conjugation may slightly reduce epitope recognition efficiency in some cases
Absence of secondary antibody eliminates potential cross-reactivity issues
Conjugation process may affect antibody binding kinetics
Background considerations:
HRP-conjugated antibodies eliminate secondary antibody background
Direct conjugates typically show reduced non-specific tissue binding
Endogenous peroxidase blocking becomes more critical with direct HRP conjugates
For high-throughput screening applications using HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody, implement these methodological considerations:
Assay miniaturization strategies:
Optimize antibody concentration for reduced volume applications
Determine minimum required incubation times for adequate signal
Evaluate signal-to-noise ratio in miniaturized format
Automation compatibility factors:
Assess antibody stability under robotic handling conditions
Validate performance consistency across batch processing
Implement quality control checkpoints at critical steps
Data standardization methods:
Develop robust normalization procedures for plate-to-plate comparison
Include calibration standards on each plate
Establish signal threshold criteria for hit identification
Practical implementation considerations:
Prepare single-use antibody aliquots to maintain consistency
Develop simplified washing protocols compatible with automation
Implement real-time monitoring of enzyme activity stability
HRP-conjugated antibodies offer particular advantages in high-throughput applications due to elimination of secondary antibody incubation steps, reducing handling time and potential variability. Recommended working dilutions for high-throughput microplate formats range from 1:500 to 1:2000 , with optimization suggested for specific assay conditions and detection systems.
To investigate relationships between PLA2G4F expression and disease progression using HRP-conjugated antibodies, implement these methodological approaches:
Longitudinal tissue analysis:
Evaluate PLA2G4F expression across disease stages using tissue microarrays
Quantify staining intensity using digital pathology and image analysis software
Correlate expression patterns with clinical progression metrics
Mechanistic investigation techniques:
Compare PLA2G4F expression with markers of disease pathology
Analyze co-localization with relevant signaling pathway components
Evaluate relationship with lipid mediators using complementary mass spectrometry
Clinical correlation strategies:
Develop standardized scoring systems for PLA2G4F immunoreactivity
Perform multivariate analysis with clinical parameters and outcomes
Validate findings across independent patient cohorts
The specificity of the HRP-conjugated PLA2G4F antibody for human samples makes it particularly valuable for translational research using patient-derived materials. When analyzing clinical samples, it is recommended to include normal adjacent tissue controls and establish baseline expression in healthy tissues for accurate comparative analysis.