The PRKCB Antibody, HRP conjugated is a bioconjugated reagent designed for immunodetection of protein kinase C beta (PRKCB), a critical kinase involved in cellular signaling pathways. This antibody is covalently linked to horseradish peroxidase (HRP), enabling enzymatic amplification in techniques like ELISA, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Its application spans basic research, disease diagnostics, and therapeutic target validation, particularly in studies related to immune regulation, apoptosis, and infectious diseases .
PRKCB is central to B-cell activation and NF-κB signaling. In Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections, PRKCB promotes pathogen survival by inhibiting phagosome-lysosome fusion. GWAS studies identified a risk allele (rs194800) at the PRKCB locus, associated with increased PRKCB expression and susceptibility to MAC disease .
PRKCB interacts with VPS16 and ATP6V1G, subunits of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (V-ATPase), blocking phagosome acidification .
Inhibition of PRKCB enhances phagosomal maturation, reducing M. avium intracellular survival .
In murine models, Prkcb knockout B cells fail to differentiate into plasma cells due to impaired metabolic reprogramming. PRKCB regulates mitochondrial dynamics and oxidative phosphorylation, critical for antibody-secreting cell (ASC) formation .
HRP conjugation involves heterobifunctional cross-linkers (e.g., Sulfo-SMCC) to create maleimide-activated HRP, which reacts with antibody thiols generated via SATA (N-Succinimidyl S-acetylthioacetate) treatment . This method preserves antibody affinity and HRP enzymatic activity.
Protein kinase C beta (PRKCB) is a calcium-activated, phospholipid- and diacylglycerol (DAG)-dependent serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in a diverse array of cellular processes. These include regulation of the B-cell receptor (BCR) signalosome, oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, androgen receptor-dependent transcription regulation, insulin signaling, and endothelial cell proliferation. PRKCB plays a crucial role in B-cell activation by modulating BCR-induced NF-κB activation. Specifically, it mediates activation of the canonical NF-κB pathway (NFKB1) through direct phosphorylation of CARD11/CARMA1 at Ser-559, Ser-644, and Ser-652. This phosphorylation event facilitates CARD11/CARMA1 association with lipid rafts and recruitment of the BCL10-MALT1 complex and MAP3K7/TAK1, ultimately activating the IKK complex. This results in NFKB1 nuclear translocation and activation. Furthermore, PRKCB participates in the negative feedback regulation of BCR signaling by downregulating BTK function via direct phosphorylation of BTK at Ser-180. This leads to altered BTK plasma membrane localization and subsequent inhibition of BTK activity.
PRKCB is also implicated in apoptosis following oxidative damage. Under oxidative conditions, it specifically phosphorylates Ser-36 of the p66Shc isoform of SHC1, causing mitochondrial accumulation of p66Shc, where it functions as a reactive oxygen species producer. Additionally, PRKCB acts as a coactivator of androgen receptor (AR)-dependent transcription, recruited to AR target genes to mediate phosphorylation of Thr-6 of histone H3 (H3T6ph). This epigenetic modification promotes transcriptional activation by preventing demethylation of histone H3 Lys-4 (H3K4me) by LSD1/KDM1A. In insulin signaling, PRKCB may function downstream of IRS1 in muscle cells, mediating insulin-dependent DNA synthesis via the RAF1-MAPK/ERK signaling cascade. It also participates in regulating glucose transport in adipocytes by negatively modulating insulin-stimulated translocation of the glucose transporter SLC2A4/GLUT4, while simultaneously phosphorylating SLC2A1/GLUT1 to promote glucose uptake. In pancreatic beta-cells under high glucose conditions, PRKCB is likely involved in inhibiting insulin gene transcription through MYC expression regulation. In endothelial cells, PRKCB activation increases RB1 phosphorylation, enhances VEGFA-induced cell proliferation, and inhibits PI3K/AKT-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS3/eNOS) regulation by insulin, contributing to endothelial dysfunction. Finally, PRKCB also plays a role in triglyceride homeostasis and phosphorylates ATF2, promoting cooperation between ATF2 and JUN to activate transcription.
The following publications highlight the diverse roles and clinical implications of PRKCB:
PRKCB (Protein Kinase C Beta) is a serine/threonine-protein kinase of the protein kinase C family that plays crucial roles in multiple cellular processes. It functions as a key regulator of B cell polarity and activation and influences autophagy levels . PRKCB has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) . At the molecular level, PRKCB can inhibit the fusion between lysosomes and mycobacterial phagosomes, thereby promoting the intracellular survival of pathogens such as M. avium . This protein interacts with multiple components involved in vesicle fusion and protein localization to vacuoles or lysosomes, including vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 16 homolog (VPS16) and the G subunit of V-ATPase (ATP6V1G) .
For maximum stability and reactivity of PRKCB antibody (HRP conjugated), store the product at -20°C or -80°C upon receipt . It is critical to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles as these can significantly compromise antibody functionality . The antibody is provided in a liquid form with a buffer containing preservative (0.03% Proclin 300) and constituents (50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4) that help maintain stability . For laboratory protocols requiring regular use, consider preparing working aliquots to minimize exposure to damaging conditions. The stability of the antibody is determined by the rate of activity loss, which should be less than 5% within the expiration date under appropriate storage conditions .
The PRKCB antibody, HRP conjugated, is primarily validated for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) applications . The antibody demonstrates specific reactivity to human PRKCB, making it particularly valuable for studies focusing on human samples or cell lines . While the primary validated application is ELISA, researchers may optimize conditions for other applications such as Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, or immunohistochemistry, though additional validation would be necessary. The antibody's high purification level (>95%, Protein G purified) ensures minimal non-specific binding, which is crucial for obtaining reliable and reproducible results in sensitive detection methods .
Based on recent research findings, investigating PRKCB's role in phagosome-lysosome fusion requires a multifaceted experimental approach:
Co-immunoprecipitation assays: Design experiments to examine the interaction between PRKCB and key components of the phagosome-lysosome fusion machinery, particularly VPS16 and ATP6V1G1 . These assays can be coupled with Western blotting using the HRP-conjugated PRKCB antibody for detection.
Confocal microscopy: Implement immunofluorescence studies to visualize colocalization of PRKCB with VPS16 and ATP6V1G in cells exposed to pathogens like M. avium . This requires careful optimization of fixation and permeabilization protocols to preserve protein interactions.
Phagosomal acidification assays: Measure the impact of PRKCB expression/inhibition on phagosomal pH using LysoTracker or pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins in macrophage models .
Infection models: Establish M. avium infection protocols in macrophages with varying levels of PRKCB expression to quantify intracellular bacterial survival rates .
Protein-protein interaction validation: Confirm the functional significance of identified interactions through mutational analysis of key domains in PRKCB that mediate its binding to VPS16 and ATP6V1G .
Include appropriate controls such as isotype-matched antibodies and PRKCB knockdown/knockout cells to ensure specificity and validity of observations.
While optimal dilutions should be determined by the end user through titration experiments, the following guidelines can help establish a starting point:
For ELISA applications:
Sample preparation varies by sample type:
| Sample Type | Preparation Method | Recommended Dilution |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Centrifuge at 1000×g for 10 min | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Plasma | Use EDTA/heparin as anticoagulant, centrifuge at 1000×g for 15 min | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Cell lysates | Sonicate or freeze-thaw cycles followed by centrifugation at 10,000×g for 10 min | Depends on expression level |
| Tissue homogenates | Homogenize in PBS (pH 7.4) and centrifuge at 10,000×g for 5 min | 1:2 to 1:20 |
For quantitative detection of PRKCB, sandwich ELISA technologies demonstrate high sensitivity, with detection limits below 0.07 ng/ml and a testing range of 0.156 ng/ml - 10 ng/ml . To minimize background and enhance specificity, ensure blocking buffers contain 1-5% BSA or normal serum from the same species as the secondary antibody, and include appropriate washing steps between incubations .
High background is a common issue when working with HRP-conjugated antibodies. A systematic approach to troubleshooting includes:
Optimize antibody concentration: Excessive antibody concentration is a leading cause of background signal. Perform a titration experiment using dilutions ranging from 1:250 to 1:5000 to determine the optimal signal-to-noise ratio .
Improve blocking conditions: Increase blocking reagent concentration (3-5% BSA or normal serum) and extend blocking time to 1-2 hours at room temperature. Ensure the blocking agent is from a species different from that of the primary antibody .
Adjust washing protocol: Implement more stringent washing steps between incubations using TBS-T (0.05-0.1% Tween-20). Increase both the number of washes (5-6 times) and duration (5 minutes each) .
Reduce incubation temperature: Consider incubating at 4°C overnight rather than at room temperature to enhance specificity of binding.
Use additives to reduce non-specific binding: Add 0.1-0.5% Tween-20 or 0.1-1% Triton X-100 to antibody dilution buffers to reduce hydrophobic interactions.
Optimize substrate development: For HRP-based detection systems, reduce substrate incubation time and protect from light during development to minimize excessive signal generation .
If background persists despite these optimizations, consider additional purification of samples or alternative detection methods.
When investigating PRKCB's interactions with VPS16 and ATP6V1G in the context of phagosome-lysosome fusion, several critical controls should be implemented:
Negative interaction controls:
IgG isotype control immunoprecipitations to identify non-specific binding
Immunoprecipitation using lysates from PRKCB knockout/knockdown cells
Competitive blocking with recombinant PRKCB protein
Positive interaction controls:
Co-immunoprecipitation of known PRKCB interacting partners
Reciprocal immunoprecipitations (pull down with anti-VPS16 or anti-ATP6V1G)
Functional validation controls:
PRKCB inhibitor treatments to confirm kinase activity dependence
Phosphorylation-dead mutants of PRKCB to determine if kinase activity is required
Domain deletion mutants to map interaction regions
Specificity controls:
Testing interactions with other PKC family members to confirm specificity
Analysis of interactions in different cell types and conditions
Domain-specific antibodies to confirm interaction regions
Biological relevance controls:
Implementation of these controls ensures that observed interactions are specific, reproducible, and biologically relevant to the phagosome-lysosome fusion process.
PRKCB antibody can be strategically deployed to elucidate its role in pathogen survival through several advanced experimental approaches:
Temporal dynamics of PRKCB recruitment: Use the HRP-conjugated PRKCB antibody in time-course experiments to monitor PRKCB recruitment to phagosomes containing pathogens like M. avium. This can be accomplished using cell fractionation followed by Western blotting or high-resolution microscopy with appropriate markers for different phagosomal maturation stages .
Phosphoproteomic analysis: Employ the antibody for immunoprecipitation of PRKCB from infected versus uninfected cells, followed by mass spectrometry to identify differentially phosphorylated substrates that may be involved in phagosome maturation arrest .
ChIP-seq applications: Use the antibody in chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing to identify transcriptional targets regulated by nuclear PRKCB during infection, revealing potential host-response mechanisms.
Proximity labeling techniques: Combine the antibody with proximity labeling approaches (BioID or APEX) to identify the complete interactome of PRKCB during infection, potentially revealing novel mediators of pathogen survival.
Single-cell analysis: Apply the antibody in flow cytometry or mass cytometry approaches to correlate PRKCB expression/activation levels with pathogen burden at the single-cell level .
These approaches can reveal how pathogens might exploit PRKCB to enhance their survival within host cells and identify potential intervention points for therapeutic development.
Based on recent findings regarding PRKCB's role in B cell fate determination, several methodologies can be employed:
B cell isolation and culture systems: Establish primary B cell cultures from different developmental stages to study how PRKCB expression/activation affects differentiation trajectories. The HRP-conjugated PRKCB antibody can be used to quantify expression levels in different B cell subsets through Western blotting or intracellular FACS .
Mitochondrial function assessment: As PRKCB appears to regulate mitochondrial processes in B cells, implement assays measuring:
Genetic manipulation approaches:
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout or knockin of PRKCB in B cell lines
Conditional knockout models in mice to study B cell development in vivo
Expression of constitutively active or dominant-negative PRKCB mutants
Signaling pathway analysis:
In vivo B cell fate tracking:
Adoptive transfer of PRKCB-modified B cells labeled with cell tracking dyes
Lineage tracing using reporter systems in conditional PRKCB knockout mice
These methodologies would provide comprehensive insights into how PRKCB influences B cell fate decisions and mitochondrial regulation in both physiological and pathological contexts .
The PRKCB antibody, HRP conjugated, can be instrumentally applied in translational research for NTM-PD through several research strategies:
Biomarker development: Utilize the antibody in ELISA-based assays to quantify PRKCB levels in patient samples (serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or peripheral blood mononuclear cells) and correlate with disease severity, treatment response, or genetic risk factors (such as the rs194800 polymorphism) . This approach may help stratify patients and predict treatment outcomes.
Therapeutic target validation:
Pharmacodynamic monitoring: Design sandwich ELISA assays using the HRP-conjugated PRKCB antibody to monitor drug efficacy in clinical trial samples by measuring changes in PRKCB expression or phosphorylation status after treatment.
Genetic association validation: For patients carrying the risk allele of rs194800 that promotes PRKCB expression, use the antibody to confirm increased protein levels in relevant cell types and correlate with cellular phenotypes like impaired phagosome-lysosome fusion .
Host-pathogen interaction studies: Develop co-culture systems of human macrophages with M. avium where PRKCB-dependent interactions with VPS16 and ATP6V1G can be monitored using the antibody in combination with proximity ligation assays or FRET-based approaches .
These applications bridge fundamental research findings with clinical applications, potentially leading to novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for NTM-PD.
To elucidate the precise mechanism by which PRKCB blocks phagosome-lysosome fusion, researchers can implement the following experimental approaches:
Structural biology studies:
Use purified proteins to determine the crystal structure of PRKCB in complex with VPS16 and/or ATP6V1G
Implement hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to map interaction interfaces
Perform in silico molecular docking to predict binding sites for targeted mutagenesis
Kinase activity dependency analysis:
Test whether PRKCB's effect on phagosome-lysosome fusion depends on its kinase activity using kinase-dead mutants
Identify potential phosphorylation targets on VPS16 or ATP6V1G using phospho-specific antibodies or mass spectrometry
Use phosphomimetic and phospho-deficient mutants to confirm functional significance of identified phosphorylation sites
Live-cell imaging approaches:
Implement real-time confocal microscopy with fluorescently tagged PRKCB, VPS16, and ATP6V1G to visualize dynamic interactions during phagosome maturation
Use FRET sensors to measure protein-protein interactions in live cells during infection
Apply super-resolution microscopy (STORM/PALM) to map nanoscale organization of these proteins at the phagosome membrane
Reconstitution systems:
Develop in vitro membrane fusion assays with purified components to directly test PRKCB's inhibitory effects
Use liposome-based systems incorporating recombinant proteins to recapitulate fusion events
Comparative studies across mycobacterial species:
These approaches would provide mechanistic insights at molecular resolution, potentially revealing specific intervention points for restoring phagosome-lysosome fusion in infected cells.
When analyzing quantitative PRKCB expression data across different experimental contexts, consider these interpretation frameworks:
Cell-type specific baselines: Establish normal PRKCB expression ranges for each cell type under study. Expression levels should be normalized to appropriate housekeeping genes or total protein content, with consideration that:
Disease context analysis:
In NTM-PD, increased PRKCB expression in monocytes/macrophages correlates with impaired mycobacterial killing
Genetic factors like the rs194800 C allele predispose to higher PRKCB expression
Changes in PRKCB expression should be interpreted alongside functional readouts (e.g., phagosomal acidification, bacterial killing capacity)
Statistical considerations:
Implement appropriate statistical tests based on data distribution
Use large enough sample sizes to account for biological variability
Consider multiple testing corrections when analyzing expression across numerous cell types
Report effect sizes alongside statistical significance to assess biological relevance
Integration with other datasets:
Correlate protein expression with transcriptomic data to identify potential post-transcriptional regulation
Integrate phosphoproteomic data to distinguish between changes in expression versus activation
Consider genetic background (particularly rs194800 genotype) when interpreting expression differences between individuals
This multifaceted interpretation approach ensures that PRKCB expression data contributes meaningfully to understanding its role in health and disease.
When analyzing protein-protein interaction data from co-immunoprecipitation experiments involving PRKCB, VPS16, and ATP6V1G, several statistical approaches should be considered:
Quantification methods:
Densitometric analysis of Western blot bands with normalization to input controls
Ratiometric comparisons between experimental conditions and controls
Multi-factor normalization accounting for antibody efficiency and protein abundance
Statistical tests for paired comparisons:
Paired t-tests for comparing interactions under two conditions (e.g., infected vs. uninfected)
Repeated measures ANOVA for time-course experiments examining interaction dynamics
Non-parametric alternatives (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) when normality assumptions are violated
Correlation analysis:
Pearson or Spearman correlation to assess relationships between interaction strength and functional outcomes (e.g., phagosomal acidification, bacterial survival)
Multivariate regression to model how multiple factors affect interaction dynamics
Reproducibility metrics:
Coefficient of variation (CV) calculation across technical and biological replicates
Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess consistency across experiments
Bootstrapping approaches to generate confidence intervals for interaction measures
Advanced analytical frameworks:
When reporting results, include both raw data and normalized values, clearly state the normalization method, and provide detailed statistical test parameters including sample sizes, degrees of freedom, test statistics, exact p-values, and measures of effect size.
Several cutting-edge research directions are emerging for PRKCB antibody applications in infectious disease studies:
Single-cell proteomics: Applying the PRKCB antibody in mass cytometry (CyTOF) or single-cell Western blotting to identify heterogeneity in PRKCB expression and activation across immune cell populations during infection. This approach could reveal specialized cell subsets that are particularly susceptible to PRKCB-mediated phagosome maturation arrest .
Spatial proteomics: Implementing multiplexed immunofluorescence or imaging mass cytometry with the PRKCB antibody to map its distribution within infected tissues and its colocalization with pathogen reservoirs. This could identify microanatomical niches where PRKCB-mediated pathogen persistence occurs.
Extracellular vesicle (EV) analysis: Investigating whether PRKCB is packaged into EVs during infection and how this might influence intercellular communication and disease progression using the antibody for EV characterization.
Combinatorial therapeutic targeting: Utilizing the antibody to monitor changes in PRKCB expression/activation when testing combination therapies that target both the pathogen and host pathways, potentially overcoming antimicrobial resistance.
Cross-pathogen comparative analyses: Extending PRKCB research beyond mycobacteria to other intracellular pathogens that may exploit similar phagosome maturation arrest mechanisms, using the antibody to identify common and distinct regulatory mechanisms .
Microbiome interactions: Exploring how commensal microbiota influence PRKCB expression in mucosal immune cells and how this affects susceptibility to pathogenic infection, potentially identifying microbiome-based interventions.
These emerging areas represent the frontier of PRKCB research in infectious diseases, with the HRP-conjugated antibody serving as a valuable tool for these investigations.
The development of PRKCB inhibitors as host-directed therapies for mycobacterial infections involves a systematic research pipeline:
Inhibitor discovery and optimization:
High-throughput screening of compound libraries against PRKCB kinase activity
Structure-guided design based on PRKCB crystal structures
Medicinal chemistry optimization for potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties
Initial testing using the HRP-conjugated PRKCB antibody to confirm target engagement
In vitro efficacy assessment:
Validation in macrophage infection models with diverse mycobacterial species
Functional readouts including:
Mechanism of action studies:
In vivo efficacy evaluation:
Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies to establish dosing regimens
Efficacy testing in animal models of mycobacterial infection
Combination studies with conventional antimycobacterial agents
Assessment of resistance development and long-term efficacy
Translational and clinical development:
Biomarker development using the PRKCB antibody to identify patients most likely to benefit
Safety assessment focusing on potential immunological side effects
Clinical trial design prioritizing patients with PRKCB-associated genetic risk factors (rs194800 C allele)
Development of companion diagnostics to measure PRKCB activity
This systematic approach creates a path from fundamental discoveries about PRKCB's role in mycobacterial persistence to clinically viable host-directed therapies that could address challenges like antimicrobial resistance.