The PRAMEF6 antibody, biotin-conjugated, is a research-grade immunoglobulin designed to detect the PRAMEF6 protein—a substrate-recognition component of the Cul2-RING (CRL2) E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex. This complex mediates the ubiquitination and degradation of truncated MSRB1/SEPX1 selenoproteins, which are produced during failed UGA/Sec decoding in translation . The biotin conjugation enables detection via streptavidin-based assays, enhancing sensitivity in applications like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and ELISA.
Biotinylation Efficiency: Studies on antibody conjugation reveal that biotin incorporation varies (30–70%) due to protein-specific lysine availability . Proper characterization is critical to minimize residual unconjugated antibodies, which can interfere with assays .
Protein Degradation: PRAMEF6 antibodies are used to study selenoprotein turnover in cellular stress responses .
Cancer Research: PRAME family proteins, including PRAMEF6, are tumor antigens, making them targets for immunotherapy .
PRAMEF6 (PRAME Family Member 6) is a human protein that belongs to the PRAME family. The antibody targeting this protein is used primarily for detecting and studying PRAMEF6 expression in human tissues and cells. While the specific search results don't detail PRAMEF6's complete function, the antibody against this protein is available in various formats including biotin-conjugated versions that can be utilized for multiple detection methods . The antibody is typically generated by immunizing rabbits with KLH-conjugated synthetic peptides mapping to fragments within amino acids 395-423 in the C-terminal region of human PRAMEF6 (UniProt Accession #Q5VXH4) .
Biotin-conjugated antibodies leverage the extremely high affinity of biotin for streptavidin or avidin in immunoassay design. This interaction is one of the strongest non-covalent interactions known in nature, with affinity constants (KD) of 10^-14 to 10^-15, which is approximately 10^3 to 10^6 times higher than typical antigen-antibody interactions . This high affinity is particularly useful for:
Isolating and amplifying signals
Increasing detection sensitivity for low concentrations of analytes
Decreasing the number of steps required for measurement
The biotin-(strept)avidin system offers remarkable advantages over other covalent and non-covalent interactions, including amplification of weak signals, efficient operation, robustness, and stability against various denaturing conditions such as proteolytic enzymes, temperature and pH extremes, and harsh organic reagents .
Based on available information about similar biotin-conjugated antibodies, PRAMEF6 antibodies with biotin conjugation would typically be applicable for:
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) - The biotin conjugation enables easy integration with streptavidin-based detection systems
Western Blotting (WB) with streptavidin-based visualization systems
Flow Cytometry (FACS) with streptavidin-conjugated fluorophores
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using streptavidin-based detection methods
Immunofluorescence (IF) using streptavidin-conjugated fluorophores
The biotin-conjugated format is particularly valuable when signal amplification is needed or when working with limited sample volumes, as the biotin-(strept)avidin system enhances detection sensitivity significantly .
The biotin-streptavidin system demonstrates remarkable affinity compared to other common binding systems used in biomedical research. The table below illustrates these comparative affinities:
| System | Affinity (KD) |
|---|---|
| Biotin-(strept)avidin | 10^-14–10^-15 |
| His6-tag–Ni^2+ | 10^-13 |
| Nickel–nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni^2+–NTA) | 10^-13 |
| Monoclonal antibodies | 10^-7–10^-11 |
| RNA–RNA binding protein | 10^-9 |
| Dinitrophenol (DNP)-anti-DNP | 10^-8 |
| Biotin–anti-biotin antibody | 10^-8 |
This exceptionally high affinity is why the biotin-(strept)avidin system has become one of the most popular approaches for protein immobilization in immunoassays, offering good stability, high efficiency, high specificity, and unparalleled binding strength .
Two principal techniques utilizing biotin-conjugated antibodies in immunoassays are the Bridged Avidin-Biotin (BRAB) and Labeled Avidin-Biotin (LAB) methods, which could be applied to PRAMEF6 antibody research:
Both techniques enable indirect interaction between biomolecules while preserving the natural binding properties of antibodies and antigens, allowing researchers to identify, localize, and quantify PRAMEF6 with high specificity and sensitivity.
Several critical factors can impact the performance of biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibodies:
Degree of Biotinylation: The ratio of biotin molecules to antibody can significantly impact both the antibody's binding efficiency to the target antigen and its interaction with streptavidin/avidin. Over-biotinylation may reduce antibody specificity and affinity for PRAMEF6, while under-biotinylation may result in insufficient signal amplification.
Biotin Interference: High levels of supplemental biotin in biological samples can compete with the biotinylated antibody for binding to streptavidin, potentially causing elevated or suppressed test results .
Buffer Composition: The performance of the biotin-(strept)avidin interaction can be affected by buffer conditions, including pH, ionic strength, and the presence of detergents or blocking agents.
Storage Conditions: As with most conjugated antibodies, biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibodies would likely require storage at -20°C or below, often in buffers containing stabilizers like glycerol (50%) and preservatives like sodium azide (0.02%) .
Target Accessibility: The conformation and availability of the PRAMEF6 epitope (particularly the C-terminal region from amino acids 395-423) will influence the antibody's ability to bind effectively .
Cross-Reactivity: While the antibody is designed to be specific for human PRAMEF6, potential cross-reactivity with related proteins should be considered when interpreting results .
For optimal ELISA performance with biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibodies, the following methodological approach is recommended:
Plate Preparation:
Coat a high-binding ELISA plate with capture antibody (anti-PRAMEF6) or target antigen depending on the ELISA format
Incubate overnight at 4°C
Wash and block with appropriate blocking buffer (typically PBS with 1-5% BSA)
Sample Addition:
Add diluted samples and standards to the wells
Incubate for 1-2 hours at room temperature
Wash thoroughly to remove unbound materials
Detection with Biotin-Conjugated PRAMEF6 Antibody:
Dilute the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody to the optimal working concentration (typically 1-5 μg/mL)
Add to wells and incubate for 1-2 hours at room temperature
Wash thoroughly
Streptavidin-Enzyme Addition:
Add streptavidin-conjugated enzyme (typically HRP or AP)
Incubate for 30-60 minutes at room temperature
Wash thoroughly
Substrate Addition and Detection:
Add appropriate substrate for the enzyme
Monitor color development
Stop the reaction and measure absorbance using a spectrophotometer
This protocol leverages the LAB technique's efficiency by using the biotin-conjugated antibody with streptavidin-enzyme conjugates, reducing the number of steps while maintaining high sensitivity .
Optimizing immunohistochemistry protocols with biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibodies requires careful consideration of several parameters:
Tissue Preparation and Antigen Retrieval:
Fix tissues appropriately (typically 10% neutral-buffered formalin)
Perform antigen retrieval (heat-induced or enzymatic) to expose epitopes
For PRAMEF6, which is a cellular protein, heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer (pH 6.0) is often effective
Endogenous Biotin Blocking:
Critical for biotin-conjugated antibodies
Use commercial biotin-blocking kits or sequential incubation with free avidin and biotin
This prevents false-positive results from endogenous biotin in tissues
Antibody Concentration Optimization:
Titrate the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody (typically starting at 1-10 μg/mL)
Include positive and negative controls to validate specificity
Detection System:
Use streptavidin-conjugated enzymes (typically HRP)
Consider using amplification systems for low-abundance targets
Select chromogens based on desired visualization and co-staining plans
Counterstaining and Mounting:
Choose appropriate counterstains (typically hematoxylin for nuclear visualization)
Use mounting media compatible with the detection system
Controls:
Include isotype controls to assess non-specific binding
Use positive tissue controls known to express PRAMEF6
Consider using tissue from PRAMEF6 knockout models as negative controls if available
This systematic approach helps ensure specific staining while minimizing background and artifacts when using biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibodies for immunohistochemistry applications .
High background is a common challenge when working with biotin-conjugated antibodies. The following methodological troubleshooting steps can address this issue:
Endogenous Biotin/Avidin Interference:
Implement a biotin blocking step using commercial kits
For tissues with high endogenous biotin (liver, kidney, brain), consider alternative detection systems
Streptavidin/Avidin Concentration:
Titrate the streptavidin-conjugated detection reagent
Excessive streptavidin can increase non-specific binding
Blocking Optimization:
Increase blocking reagent concentration (BSA, normal serum, or commercial blockers)
Extend blocking time (from 30 minutes to 2 hours)
Consider adding 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 to reduce hydrophobic interactions
Washing Stringency:
Increase wash buffer volume and number of washes
Add 0.05-0.1% Tween-20 to wash buffers
Ensure complete removal of wash buffer between steps
Antibody Dilution:
Further dilute the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody
Prepare antibody dilutions in buffer containing 1% BSA or carrier protein
Secondary Reagent Specificity:
Use highly cross-adsorbed streptavidin conjugates
Prepare fresh working solutions of all detection reagents
Sample-Specific Considerations:
Pre-adsorb antibodies against tissues or cells known to cause cross-reactivity
Consider using species-specific blocking reagents when working with tissues containing endogenous immunoglobulins
Implementing these methodological approaches systematically can significantly reduce background while maintaining specific PRAMEF6 detection .
Enhancing the specificity of biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody detection in complex samples requires multiple strategic approaches:
Pre-absorption Strategies:
Incubate the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody with related proteins or peptides
This competitive binding approach reduces cross-reactivity with similar epitopes
Sequential Multiple Antibody Labeling:
Use a non-biotinylated primary anti-PRAMEF6 antibody targeting a different epitope
Follow with the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody
This dual-recognition approach increases specificity substantially
Sample Pre-treatment:
Deplete highly abundant proteins from complex samples
Perform subcellular fractionation to concentrate the compartment where PRAMEF6 is expected
Optimized Immunoprecipitation:
Perform immunoprecipitation with a non-biotinylated anti-PRAMEF6 antibody
Then detect with the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody targeting a different epitope
Validation with Molecular Approaches:
Compare results with RNA interference of PRAMEF6
Use PRAMEF6-overexpressing systems as positive controls
When possible, validate with CRISPR/Cas9-modified cells lacking PRAMEF6
Advanced Detection Methods:
Implement proximity ligation assays (PLA) using the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody and another antibody against a known interaction partner
This dramatically increases specificity by requiring two proteins to be in close proximity
Data Validation:
Always confirm findings with orthogonal techniques
Consider mass spectrometry validation of immunoprecipitated proteins
These methodological approaches significantly enhance the specificity of biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody detection while maintaining sensitivity advantages of the biotin-streptavidin system .
Multiplexed immunoassay systems involving biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibodies can be designed using several sophisticated approaches:
Spectrally Distinct Streptavidin Conjugates:
Utilize the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody with different streptavidin-fluorophore conjugates
Combine with other primary antibodies conjugated to distinct fluorophores
This enables simultaneous detection of multiple targets, including PRAMEF6
Sequential Multiplexing with Cyclic Immunofluorescence:
Apply and image the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody with streptavidin-fluorophore
Strip or bleach the fluorophore
Repeat with different antibodies for other targets
Computational alignment of the sequential images creates a multiplexed dataset
Bead-Based Multiplexing:
Couple streptavidin to spectrally distinct microspheres
Use with biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody in suspension assays
Analyze using flow cytometry or dedicated bead array readers
This approach allows simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes in a single sample
Spatial Multiplexing on Microarrays:
Spot capture antibodies or antigens in defined positions
Apply sample and detect with biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody
Visualize using streptavidin-enzyme or fluorophore conjugates
This method enables high-throughput profiling of multiple samples against PRAMEF6
Mass Cytometry Integration:
Utilize streptavidin conjugated to rare earth metals
Combine with biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody
Analyze cells using CyTOF (cytometry by time-of-flight)
This allows for highly multiplexed single-cell analysis (>40 parameters)
These methodological approaches leverage the biotin-streptavidin system's specificity and flexibility while enabling complex multiplexed analyses that can reveal intricate relationships between PRAMEF6 and other biological molecules or processes .
Proximity labeling with biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibodies requires careful experimental design and consideration of several methodological factors:
Antibody Penetration and Access:
Ensure sufficient permeabilization for intracellular targets
Consider using smaller antibody fragments (Fab, scFv) for improved penetration
Optimize fixation protocols to maintain both epitope accessibility and ultrastructural integrity
Spatial Resolution Limitations:
Account for the combined size of primary antibody, biotin linker, and streptavidin (~20-30 nm)
This spatial displacement must be considered when interpreting co-localization at nanoscale resolution
Enzymatic Proximity Labeling Integration:
Couple streptavidin-peroxidase to the biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibody
Use biotin-tyramide for proximity labeling of proteins near PRAMEF6
Optimize reaction time to control labeling radius (typically 10-500 nm)
Quantitative Considerations:
Develop calibration standards to relate signal intensity to molecular abundance
Include spike-in controls with known quantities of recombinant PRAMEF6
Analyze data using rigorous statistical approaches appropriate for spatial point pattern analysis
Multi-modal Imaging Strategies:
Combine with electron microscopy using nanogold-streptavidin
Implement correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) workflows
This allows contextualizing PRAMEF6 localization within ultrastructural features
Live-Cell Adaptations:
Consider using cell-permeable streptavidin conjugates for live-cell applications
Implement fast-binding streptavidin variants to capture transient interactions
Monitor potential perturbation of cellular functions by the labeling system
These methodological considerations enable researchers to effectively utilize biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibodies in sophisticated proximity labeling experiments while accounting for technical limitations and optimizing experimental outcomes .
Emerging advances in biotin conjugation chemistry present several opportunities to enhance PRAMEF6 antibody performance:
Site-Specific Conjugation Strategies:
Enzymatic approaches using sortase or transglutaminase for controlled biotin attachment
Incorporation of unnatural amino acids at defined positions for click chemistry-based biotinylation
These approaches would ensure consistent biotin positioning away from antigen-binding regions
Cleavable Linker Technologies:
pH-sensitive linkers that release biotin under specific conditions
Photocleavable biotin linkers enabling spatial and temporal control of streptavidin binding
Enzyme-cleavable linkers for sequential multiplexed detection strategies
Controlled Biotinylation Ratio:
Development of precise methods to control the biotin:antibody ratio
Separation technologies to isolate antibody fractions with optimal biotinylation levels
This would enable standardization across different antibody preparations
Alternative Biotin Analogs:
Development of biotin analogs with modified affinities for streptavidin
Creation of orthogonal biotin-binding protein pairs for multiplexed applications
This would expand the multiplexing capabilities in complex experimental designs
Integration with Emerging Technologies:
Biotin conjugation compatible with DNA-barcoded antibodies for spatial transcriptomics
Combination with quantum dots or upconversion nanoparticles for enhanced sensitivity
Development of biotin conjugates optimized for super-resolution microscopy techniques
These methodological advances would significantly enhance the utility of biotin-conjugated PRAMEF6 antibodies in research applications, potentially enabling new experimental approaches previously not possible with conventional conjugation methods .