PSMD11 (proteasome 26S subunit, non-ATPase, 11) is a critical component of the 26S proteasome system, a multicatalytic proteinase complex with a highly ordered structure. The 26S proteasome consists of two main parts: a 20S core and a 19S regulator, with PSMD11 serving as a non-ATPase subunit of the 19S regulator (also known as regulatory subunit RPN6) . This complex plays a key role in maintaining protein homeostasis by removing misfolded or damaged proteins and eliminating proteins whose functions are no longer required . The proteasome participates in numerous cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and DNA damage repair . Specifically, PSMD11 is required for proteasome assembly and plays a key role in increased proteasome activity in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), where its high expression promotes enhanced assembly of the 26S proteasome .
PSMD11 antibodies are available in multiple formats with different characteristics:
PSMD11 antibodies have been validated in various experimental systems:
Cell Lines:
Tissues:
Optimizing Western blot protocols for PSMD11 detection requires careful consideration of several parameters:
Sample Preparation:
Lyse cells with Laemmli buffer on ice
For tissue samples, grind in liquid nitrogen and mix with cold protein extraction buffer
Separation and Transfer:
Blocking and Antibody Incubation:
Block membranes with 5% nonfat milk for 1 hour at room temperature
Dilute primary PSMD11 antibody according to manufacturer recommendations:
After washing (3× with TBST), incubate with appropriate secondary antibody for 2 hours at room temperature
Detection:
Controls:
Successful immunohistochemistry with PSMD11 antibodies requires optimized protocols:
Antigen Retrieval Options:
Blocking Protocol:
Block endogenous peroxidase with 0.3% H₂O₂ for 10 minutes at room temperature
Block nonspecific binding with 10% normal goat serum (NGS) for 30 minutes
Antibody Application:
Detection System:
Apply secondary antibody according to manufacturer instructions
Quantitatively score sections based on percentage of positive cells and staining intensity
For optimal immunofluorescence detection of PSMD11:
Sample Preparation:
Culture cells on appropriate coverslips
Fix according to standard protocols
Antibody Dilution:
Most PSMD11 antibodies: use at 1:10-1:100 dilution for IF/ICC
Incubation time: typically overnight at 4°C
Visualization Strategy:
Counterstain nuclei with DAPI (blue)
Use species-appropriate fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies
Validated Cell Lines:
For successful immunoprecipitation of PSMD11:
Antibody Amount:
Validated Cell Lines:
Applications:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) has been validated with select PSMD11 antibodies
This technique is valuable for studying protein-protein interactions involving PSMD11
Confirmation:
Always confirm successful IP by Western blot
Common Challenges and Solutions:
Poor signal intensity:
Non-specific background staining:
Optimize blocking conditions (increase blocking time)
Dilute primary antibody further
Include additional washing steps
Specificity confirmation:
Cross-reactivity can present significant challenges, particularly with polyclonal antibodies:
Prevention Strategies:
Select antibodies validated for your specific species of interest
For mouse tissues using mouse monoclonal antibodies, implement Mouse-on-Mouse blocking steps
Consider using antibodies raised against species-specific epitopes
Validation Approaches:
Always include negative controls
If possible, use PSMD11 knockdown/knockout samples as definitive controls
Consider multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes to confirm findings
Species Considerations:
When working with C. elegans, use only antibodies specifically validated for this species
For cross-species studies, select antibodies with demonstrated multi-species reactivity
PSMD11 has emerged as a significant factor in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) research:
Expression and Prognostic Value:
PSMD11 is identified as a critical cuproptosis- and immune-related gene (CIRG) in LUAD
Patients with low PSMD11 expression displayed improved prognosis compared to those with high expression
CIRG signature including PSMD11 serves as a reliable, independent prognostic factor
Functional Impact on Cancer Biology:
Overexpression of PSMD11 enhanced:
Knockdown of PSMD11 diminished these malignant characteristics in lung carcinoma cell line PC9
Immune Microenvironment Implications:
PSMD11 expression positively correlates with:
This suggests PSMD11 may influence tumor immune evasion mechanisms
Investigating PSMD11's role in proteasome assembly requires sophisticated approaches:
Genetic Manipulation:
Overexpression systems to study enhanced proteasome assembly
Knockdown/knockout models using siRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 to assess assembly defects
These approaches have been successfully employed in lung cancer cell lines (A549, PC9)
Biochemical Analyses:
Co-immunoprecipitation to identify PSMD11 interaction partners within the proteasome complex
Proteasome activity assays to assess functional consequences of PSMD11 manipulation
Sucrose gradient fractionation to analyze proteasome complex integrity
In Vivo Models:
Xenograft models with modified PSMD11 expression (as described for tumor growth studies)
Examination of proteasome assembly in various tissues
The emerging connection between PSMD11 and cuproptosis presents exciting research opportunities:
Cuproptosis Context:
Cuproptosis is a form of regulated cell death induced by copper ions
Experimental Approaches:
Copper sensitivity assays:
Compare copper-induced cell death in PSMD11 overexpression vs. knockdown models
Assess mitochondrial function parameters
Molecular interaction studies:
Investigate PSMD11 interaction with known cuproptosis mediators
Examine proteasomal degradation of cuproptosis-related proteins
Expression correlation analyses:
To study PSMD11's relationship with immune cell populations:
Bioinformatic Approaches:
Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) analysis to explore immune cell composition
Spearman's correlation analyses to describe associations between PSMD11 expression and immune cell proportions
TCGA database investigations for associations between PSMD11 and immune checkpoints
Experimental Validation:
Flow cytometry analysis of immune cell populations in models with altered PSMD11 expression
Immunohistochemistry of tumor tissues to co-localize PSMD11 expression with immune cell markers
In vitro co-culture systems to study direct interactions between tumor cells expressing PSMD11 and immune cells
Functional Assessment:
T cell activation assays in the presence of PSMD11-modulated tumor cells
Analysis of cytokine profiles in the tumor microenvironment
Investigation of immune checkpoint molecule expression in relation to PSMD11 levels
Given its roles in cancer progression and potential immune modulation, PSMD11 presents several therapeutic opportunities:
PSMD11 as a Therapeutic Target:
Specific inhibitors of PSMD11 might disrupt proteasome assembly in cancer cells
The observed effects of PSMD11 knockdown on reducing proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells suggest therapeutic potential
Biomarker Development:
PSMD11 expression levels may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for LUAD
Potential predictive biomarker for response to proteasome inhibitors or immunotherapies
Combinatorial Approaches:
Targeting PSMD11 alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors may enhance efficacy
Combining PSMD11 modulation with copper-based therapies could exploit the cuproptosis connection
Development of more precise PSMD11 research tools faces several challenges:
Antibody Specificity:
Creating antibodies that distinguish between free PSMD11 and proteasome-incorporated PSMD11
Developing antibodies specific to post-translationally modified forms of PSMD11
Conditional Models:
Engineering tissue-specific or inducible PSMD11 knockout/knockin models
Creating models that specifically disrupt PSMD11's role in proteasome assembly without affecting other functions
Structural Biology Approaches:
Resolving high-resolution structures of PSMD11 within the proteasome complex
Identifying specific binding sites for small molecule development
Emerging Technologies:
Applying proximity labeling approaches to map PSMD11 interactome in different cellular contexts
Developing CRISPR-based screens to identify synthetic lethal interactions with PSMD11 in cancer contexts