KEGG: spo:SPBC56F2.01
STRING: 4896.SPBC56F2.01.1
Pof12 is a protein found in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (strain 972 / ATCC 24843), commonly known as fission yeast . Antibodies targeting pof12 enable researchers to detect, localize, and isolate this protein within cellular contexts. While the specific function of pof12 requires further characterization, antibodies against this protein allow for investigation of its potential roles in cellular processes. Similar to other research antibodies, pof12 Antibody serves as a molecular tool enabling researchers to track protein expression, localization, and interactions.
Common research applications include:
| Application | Purpose | Typical Protocol Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blotting | Protein detection and quantification | Optimization of lysate preparation from yeast cells |
| Immunoprecipitation | Isolation of protein complexes | Cell wall disruption efficiency for complete extraction |
| Immunofluorescence | Subcellular localization | Fixation methods preserving yeast cell morphology |
| ChIP Assays | DNA-protein interaction studies | Crosslinking conditions optimized for yeast cells |
| ELISA | Quantitative detection | Standard curves using recombinant protein |
Proper validation is critical for ensuring reliable results with pof12 Antibody. Recommended validation steps include:
Genetic controls: Compare antibody reactivity in wild-type S. pombe versus pof12 deletion strains
Peptide competition assays: Pre-incubate antibody with purified antigenic peptide before immunodetection
Western blot analysis: Confirm single band of expected molecular weight
Multiple antibody comparison: Use antibodies recognizing different epitopes of pof12
Mass spectrometry validation: Confirm identity of immunoprecipitated proteins
Effective sample preparation for S. pombe requires addressing the challenges of yeast cell wall disruption:
Mechanical disruption: Glass bead homogenization in appropriate lysis buffer (typically containing protease inhibitors)
Enzymatic pre-treatment: Limited digestion with zymolyase or lyticase to weaken cell walls before mechanical disruption
Cryogenic grinding: Freezing cells in liquid nitrogen followed by grinding, particularly effective for preserving protein-protein interactions
Chemical methods: TCA precipitation for total protein extraction
Protein extraction efficiency can be monitored through Bradford assay quantification and comparison with housekeeping protein levels .
A rigorous control strategy includes:
| Control Type | Purpose | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Negative Control | Establish specificity | pof12 knockout/knockdown samples |
| Isotype Control | Detect non-specific binding | Non-targeting antibody of same isotype |
| Loading Control | Normalize protein amounts | Detection of housekeeping proteins (e.g., actin) |
| Secondary Antibody Control | Evaluate background | Omit primary antibody |
| Positive Control | Verify assay functionality | Samples with confirmed pof12 expression |
| Peptide Competition | Confirm epitope specificity | Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide |
For mechanistic investigations, researchers can combine pof12 Antibody with:
Proximity labeling: BioID or APEX2 tagging to identify proteins in close proximity to pof12
Quantitative proteomics: MS/MS analysis of immunoprecipitated complexes under different conditions
Live-cell imaging: Correlative light and electron microscopy with immunogold labeling
Chromatin studies: ChIP-seq to map genomic binding sites if pof12 interacts with DNA
Structural biology: Antibody epitope mapping to inform protein structure predictions
To investigate potential post-translational modifications:
Use phospho-specific antibodies: If available, these can detect specific phosphorylation sites on pof12
Implement differential migration analysis: Compare electrophoretic mobility before and after phosphatase treatment
Employ 2D gel electrophoresis: Separate proteins by both isoelectric point and molecular weight
Combine immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry: Enrich pof12 protein and analyze modifications by MS/MS
Apply Phos-tag SDS-PAGE: Enhanced separation of phosphorylated protein species
To investigate temporal dynamics:
Synchronize yeast cultures: Use methods like nitrogen starvation or cell cycle inhibitors
Perform time-course sampling: Extract proteins at defined intervals
Employ pulse-chase experiments: Label proteins and track stability over time
Implement live-cell imaging: If combined with fluorescently tagged proteins that interact with pof12
Quantify relative protein levels: Western blotting with densitometry analysis normalized to invariant controls
Robust quantification approaches include:
| Data Type | Quantification Method | Statistical Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | Densitometry with normalization | Non-parametric tests for small sample sizes |
| Immunofluorescence | Integrated pixel intensity | Account for cell-to-cell variation |
| ChIP | Fold enrichment over input/IgG | Multiple testing correction for genome-wide analysis |
| Co-immunoprecipitation | Relative enrichment ratios | Compare to non-specific binding controls |
| ELISA | Standard curve interpolation | Four-parameter logistic regression |
Biological replicates (n≥3) using independent samples are essential for statistical validity .
Potential artifacts and their solutions include:
Non-specific binding: Optimize blocking conditions; increase washing stringency; validate with knockout controls
Variable extraction efficiency: Standardize cell disruption protocols; monitor with invariant control proteins
Epitope masking: Try multiple antibodies targeting different regions; vary fixation/extraction methods
Batch-to-batch antibody variation: Use consistent lot numbers; revalidate new lots against old standards
Signal saturation: Establish linear detection range through serial dilutions
When facing inconsistent data:
Verify antibody functionality: Re-validate specificity using knockout controls and peptide competition
Employ orthogonal approaches: Confirm findings using alternative methods (e.g., genetic, biochemical)
Check experimental conditions: Standardize protein extraction, assay conditions, and detection parameters
Consider strain variations: Verify genetic background of S. pombe strains used
Examine literature protocols: Compare methodological details with published work on similar yeast proteins
Advanced interaction studies could employ:
Sequential immunoprecipitation: Tandem purifications to isolate specific subcomplexes
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry: Map interaction surfaces after immunoprecipitation
Protein complementation assays: Validate direct interactions identified through antibody-based methods
Cross-linking mass spectrometry: Identify proximity relationships within protein complexes
Network analysis: Situate pof12 within broader interaction maps using bioinformatic approaches
When adapting standardized protocols:
Systematic optimization: Change one variable at a time while maintaining controls
Buffer compatibility: Consider salt concentration, detergents, and pH effects on antibody binding
Fixation impact: Test multiple fixation methods for cell morphology preservation versus epitope accessibility
Extraction stringency: Balance complete protein extraction against maintaining native complexes
Documentation: Record detailed protocol variations to ensure reproducibility
Multi-omics integration strategies include:
Correlative analysis: Compare protein levels (via antibody detection) with transcriptomic data
Pathway mapping: Situate pof12-interacting proteins within known biological pathways
Functional enrichment: Analyze Gene Ontology terms associated with pof12-interacting partners
Co-expression networks: Identify genes with expression patterns correlating with pof12 abundance
Systems biology modeling: Incorporate antibody-derived data into predictive cellular models