The At1g31840 Antibody is a specialized monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the Arabidopsis thaliana protein encoded by the gene At1g31840. This protein is a pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR)-containing protein with a sequence length of 811 amino acids (AA) and is implicated in RNA processing and post-transcriptional regulation in plants . The antibody is primarily used for detecting and studying this protein in Arabidopsis research, with applications in immunological assays such as Western blotting (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) .
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Gene Name | At1g31840 |
| Protein Name | Pentatricopeptide (PPR) repeat-containing protein |
| Sequence Length | 811 AA |
| Cross-References | NP_001185123.1 (NCBI accession) |
The At1g31840 Antibody is sold as pre-mixed combinations of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting distinct regions of the protein:
| Combination | Target Region | Antigen Information | Tested Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-F4IAZ1-N | N-terminus | 3 synthetic peptides representing the N-terminus | ELISA (1 ng detection) |
| X-F4IAZ1-C | C-terminus | 3 synthetic peptides representing the C-terminus | ELISA (1 ng detection) |
| X-F4IAZ1-M | Mid-sequence | 3 synthetic peptides representing non-terminal regions | ELISA (1 ng detection) |
These combinations are validated for high sensitivity (ELISA titers >10,000) and are recommended for direct use in WB and ELISA .
The antibody combinations are designed to target distinct epitopes:
N-terminal (X-F4IAZ1-N): Focuses on the first ~100 AA residues, critical for initiating protein interactions.
C-terminal (X-F4IAZ1-C): Targets the final ~100 AA residues, often involved in functional domains.
Mid-sequence (X-F4IAZ1-M): Covers internal regions, potentially spanning PPR motifs critical for RNA binding .
While specific experimental data for At1g31840 Antibody is limited, general antibody validation practices include:
Western Blotting: Detection of the full-length protein (~90 kDa) in Arabidopsis lysates.
Immunoprecipitation (IP): Validation via pull-down assays with tagged recombinant proteins.
Epitope Mapping: Deconvolution services ($100 per combination) to identify individual mAb epitopes .
| Package | Contents | Price | AbInsure™ Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| X2-F4IAZ1 | X-F4IAZ1-N + X-F4IAZ1-C | $899 | Yes |
| Single Combination | X-F4IAZ1-N, -C, or -M | $599 | No |
For specialized needs (e.g., blocking/neutralizing activity or family cross-reactivity), bespoke antibody projects are available starting at $599 .
PPR proteins are essential for RNA processing, including splicing, editing, and translation in plastids and mitochondria. Disruption of these proteins often leads to defects in photosynthesis or mitochondrial function .
While the At1g31840 Antibody leverages synthetic peptide immunogens, challenges in antibody development include:
Epitope Accessibility: PPR motifs may be structurally conserved, complicating epitope selection.
Cross-Reactivity: Risk of binding to paralogs in the PPR family (e.g., At3g25730, At5g56740) .
General antibody studies highlight the importance of:
Western blot analysis should be your primary validation method, using positive controls (tissues known to express the protein) and negative controls (knockout/knockdown samples). The specificity challenges observed with commercial antibodies for other proteins highlight the importance of rigorous validation. For example, researchers evaluating AT1R antibodies found that three different commercial antibodies produced entirely different band patterns, with no common bands at the predicted molecular weight .
To validate your At1g31840 antibody:
Compare band patterns from multiple tissue/sample types
Include appropriate knockout/knockdown controls
Verify correlation between protein levels and corresponding mRNA expression
Test with blocking peptides to confirm epitope specificity
Consider using multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Non-specific binding represents a significant challenge in antibody-based detection. When evaluating commercial AT1R antibodies, researchers found that even when antibodies produced bands of the expected molecular weight (~41 kDa), these bands were still present in knockout tissues, indicating non-specificity . This phenomenon is likely applicable to At1g31840 antibodies as well.
Methodological approaches to distinguish specific from non-specific signals:
Compare signal between wild-type and knockout/knockdown samples
Pre-absorb antibody with the immunizing peptide
Use increasing concentrations of heterologously expressed protein to validate signal increase
Compare signal patterns between multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Include appropriate negative controls in every experiment
Successful antibody development begins with strategic peptide selection. When developing a polyclonal antibody against the angiotensin II type-1 receptor, researchers selected a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 14-23 of the protein . This approach yielded a high-titer, mono-specific antibody.
For At1g31840 antibody development:
Select peptides from hydrophilic, surface-exposed regions
Avoid transmembrane domains and highly conserved regions (to prevent cross-reactivity)
Target unique epitopes specific to At1g31840 (15-20 amino acids in length)
Consider coupling peptides to carrier proteins like KLH or BSA for enhanced immunogenicity
Select multiple peptides from different regions to increase success probability
| Characteristic | Polyclonal Antibodies | Monoclonal Antibodies |
|---|---|---|
| Production time | 2-3 months | 4-6 months |
| Epitope recognition | Multiple epitopes | Single epitope |
| Signal strength | Higher (multiple binding sites) | Lower (single epitope) |
| Batch-to-batch variation | Significant | Minimal |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Applications versatility | More versatile | More specialized |
| Sensitivity to protein modifications | Less affected | May be abolished |
For At1g31840 detection, polyclonal antibodies may provide greater sensitivity by recognizing multiple epitopes, similar to the high-titer polyclonal antibody developed for AT1 receptor detection .
Sample preparation significantly impacts antibody detection success. Based on general principles from membrane protein studies similar to those in search result :
Tissue selection: Select tissues with highest At1g31840 expression (based on transcript data)
Buffer composition:
Use buffers containing protease inhibitors (PMSF, leupeptin, aprotinin)
Include phosphatase inhibitors if phosphorylation state is relevant
Add detergents appropriate for membrane proteins (if At1g31840 is membrane-associated)
Extraction method:
For soluble proteins: Simple homogenization in appropriate buffer
For membrane-associated proteins: Include detergent solubilization step
Sample handling:
Process samples quickly at 4°C
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Optimize protein concentration for detection method
Quantitative Western blotting requires careful experimental design. Drawing from approaches used in antibody-based quantification studies :
Sample preparation standardization:
Ensure consistent protein extraction methods
Normalize protein loading (20-50 μg total protein per lane)
Include appropriate housekeeping controls (GAPDH, actin, tubulin)
Antibody optimization:
Determine optimal primary antibody concentration through titration experiments
Establish linear range of detection for your antibody
Use freshly prepared antibody dilutions
Quantification approach:
Use densitometry software with background subtraction
Normalize to appropriate loading control
Include standard curve with known quantities of recombinant protein when possible
Present data as fold change relative to control
Technical considerations:
Use gradient gels if protein size is uncertain
Include molecular weight markers
Document exposure settings and maintain consistency
Differences between predicted and observed molecular weights are common in protein research. In AT1R antibody studies, researchers detected bands at 70 kDa and 95 kDa, despite the predicted size of 41 kDa . These discrepancies can result from:
Post-translational modifications:
Glycosylation (can add 5-50 kDa)
Phosphorylation
Ubiquitination
SUMOylation
Protein-protein interactions:
Strong interactions that persist during SDS-PAGE
Covalent complex formation
Technical factors:
Incomplete denaturation
Abnormal migration due to protein charge or structure
Proteolytic degradation during sample preparation
Antibody specificity issues:
Non-specific binding to unrelated proteins
Cross-reactivity with related proteins
To resolve such discrepancies, consider mass spectrometry validation of the detected bands.
When faced with conflicting results from different detection methods, systematic troubleshooting is essential. Research on AT1R antibodies found significant differences between antibodies, with no consensus on which accurately detected the target protein . To resolve conflicting results:
Validate each antibody independently:
Compare Western blot, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry results
Test with recombinant protein standards
Verify with genetic models (knockouts/knockdowns)
Perform epitope mapping:
Determine precisely which region each antibody targets
Assess whether post-translational modifications might affect recognition
Cross-validate with orthogonal methods:
Mass spectrometry to confirm protein identity
Transcript analysis to correlate with protein expression
Functional assays to verify biological activity
Consider context-specific factors:
Protein conformation differences between applications
Buffer/fixative effects on epitope accessibility
Tissue-specific post-translational modifications
Antibodies are powerful tools for studying protein interactions. Drawing from immunoprecipitation principles:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP):
Use At1g31840 antibodies conjugated to agarose/magnetic beads
Optimize lysis conditions to maintain protein-protein interactions
Include appropriate controls (IgG, unrelated antibodies)
Analyze by Western blot or mass spectrometry
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) (if At1g31840 interacts with DNA):
Cross-link protein-DNA complexes with formaldehyde
Sonicate to fragment chromatin
Immunoprecipitate with At1g31840 antibody
Reverse cross-linking and analyze DNA by qPCR or sequencing
Proximity labeling approaches:
Create fusion proteins of At1g31840 with BioID or APEX2
Use antibodies to validate expression
Analyze biotinylated proximal proteins by mass spectrometry
Native complex isolation:
Use mild detergents to solubilize membrane complexes
Perform blue native PAGE followed by Western blotting
Consider size-exclusion chromatography prior to immunodetection
Recent technological advances offer solutions to traditional antibody limitations:
Recombinant antibody technologies:
Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs)
Nanobodies (single-domain antibodies)
Synthetic antibody libraries
Antibody engineering approaches:
Affinity maturation through directed evolution
Fc engineering for reduced background
Site-specific conjugation for improved detection
Alternative scaffold proteins:
Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins)
Affibodies
Monobodies
Multiplexed detection systems:
Antibody arrays for parallel testing
Sequential epitope detection
Proximity extension assays
These technologies could potentially resolve specificity issues similar to those documented with AT1R antibodies and improve quantitative applications similar to those used in immune correlate studies .
Multiple bands in Western blots require careful interpretation. When evaluating AT1R antibodies, researchers found antibody #3 produced multiple bands across a broad range of sizes . When encountering multiple bands:
Systematic assessment:
Compare observed bands with predicted protein size
Assess consistency across different tissues/samples
Evaluate presence/absence in knockout controls
Consider known isoforms or processing variants
Band identification strategies:
Peptide competition to identify specific signals
Antibody validation with heterologous expression systems
Mass spectrometry analysis of excised bands
Compare across multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Data reporting standards:
Document all observed bands with molecular weights
Present full blot images including molecular weight markers
Report specific conditions (reducing/non-reducing, gel %)
Indicate which band is believed to represent the target protein
Quantitative analysis of protein expression requires robust statistical methods. Drawing from approaches used in antibody marker analyses :
Data normalization approaches:
Normalization to housekeeping proteins
Total protein normalization (e.g., using stain-free gels)
Sample-to-sample normalization using reference samples
Statistical tests for group comparisons:
Parametric tests (t-test, ANOVA) for normally distributed data
Non-parametric alternatives (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis) for non-normal data
Multiple testing correction (Bonferroni, Benjamini-Hochberg)
Correlation analyses:
Spearman rank correlation for non-parametric data
Pearson correlation for normally distributed data
Assessment of relationship between protein and transcript levels
Reporting guidelines:
Include sample sizes and biological replicates
Report both p-values and effect sizes
Visualize data using box plots or violin plots showing distribution
Use consistent scaling for comparative analyses