Rabbit anti-Goat IgG(H+L)-HRP is a secondary antibody produced from pooled antisera of rabbits that have been hyperimmunized with goat IgG. The antibody recognizes and binds to both heavy (H) and light (L) chains of goat IgG molecules. It is purified through affinity chromatography using goat IgG covalently linked to agarose, ensuring high specificity for the target immunoglobulin . The antibody is then conjugated to Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP), an enzyme that catalyzes colorimetric, chemiluminescent, or fluorescent reactions when provided with appropriate substrates, allowing for detection of primary antibodies in various immunoassays .
Rabbit anti-Goat IgG(H+L)-HRP antibodies are versatile reagents used in multiple immunological detection techniques:
These antibodies function by binding to primary goat antibodies that have previously attached to the target antigen, enabling detection through the HRP enzyme conjugate .
The proper storage of Rabbit anti-Goat IgG(H+L)-HRP is critical for maintaining its functionality:
For maximum stability, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by aliquoting the antibody before freezing . Most formulations remain stable for at least 12 months when stored according to manufacturer recommendations . Upon reconstitution of lyophilized formats, gently mix the solution as the protein may appear as a film at the bottom of the vial .
Cross-adsorption refers to the process of removing antibodies that exhibit unwanted cross-reactivity with immunoglobulins from other species. This process significantly impacts the specificity of secondary antibodies:
Non-adsorbed antibodies: Products like catalog number 6160-05 have no cross-adsorption and may react with immunoglobulins from other species and the light chains of other goat immunoglobulins .
Multi-species adsorbed antibodies: Some products are adsorbed against multiple species (human, rabbit, rat, horse, guinea pig, hamster, chicken, and mouse) to minimize naturally occurring cross-reactivities .
The choice between non-adsorbed and cross-adsorbed antibodies depends on the experimental design:
Use non-adsorbed when working with simple systems where cross-reactivity isn't a concern
Choose cross-adsorbed variants for multi-color immunofluorescence, when using multiple primary antibodies, or when working with samples containing endogenous immunoglobulins that could cause background issues
High background is a common challenge when using HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies in Western blotting. Several methodological approaches can significantly improve results:
In cases where background remains problematic, consider using a more extensively cross-adsorbed version of the antibody. For particularly challenging samples, directly conjugated primary antibodies may circumvent issues associated with secondary antibody detection systems altogether .
Validating antibody specificity is crucial for ensuring reliable experimental outcomes:
Validation Methods:
Control Experiments:
Negative controls: Omit primary antibody while including secondary antibody
Isotype controls: Use irrelevant primary antibody of the same isotype
Blocking peptide competition: Pre-incubate primary with immunizing peptide
Cross-Reactivity Testing:
Test against purified immunoglobulins from various species
Western blot against reduced vs. non-reduced IgG samples
Use protein arrays containing various immunoglobulins
Troubleshooting Unexpected Results:
Scientific validation data can be reviewed before experiments. For example, catalog number A17358 includes visualization of Western blot validation showing specific detection of Dnmt1 protein in immunoprecipitated 293T cell extracts .
The choice of substrate significantly impacts the detection sensitivity of HRP-conjugated antibodies:
Substrate Type | Sensitivity | Application | Detection Method |
---|---|---|---|
Chromogenic (TMB, DAB, etc.) | Low-Medium | ELISA, IHC | Visual/Colorimetric |
Chemiluminescent (ECL) | High | Western blot | Film or digital imager |
Enhanced Chemiluminescent (ECL Plus) | Very High | Western blot, ultrasensitive ELISA | Film or digital imager |
Fluorescent (Tyramide Signal Amplification) | Extremely High | IHC, IF, flow cytometry | Fluorescence detection |
For quantitative applications, consider the following:
Linear detection range varies significantly between substrates
Signal duration differs (chromogenic is stable, chemiluminescent signal decays)
Background levels vary by substrate type
Some substrates may be incompatible with certain fixatives or buffer components
Successful implementation of Rabbit anti-Goat IgG-HRP in immunohistochemistry requires attention to several technical factors:
Fixation and Antigen Retrieval:
Different fixatives (formalin, paraformaldehyde, etc.) may affect epitope accessibility
Heat-mediated antigen retrieval in Tris/EDTA pH9 has been successfully used with Rabbit anti-Goat IgG-HRP antibodies
Optimization of retrieval conditions may be necessary depending on the primary antibody and target
Tissue-Specific Considerations:
Endogenous peroxidase activity must be quenched (typically with H₂O₂ treatment)
Endogenous biotin blocking may be necessary in biotin-rich tissues
Some tissues may require extended blocking to reduce non-specific binding
Technical Protocol Modifications:
Dilution ranges of 1:500-1:5,000 are typically effective for IHC applications
Extended incubation times at 4°C may improve signal quality
Multiple washing steps (5-6 washes of 5 minutes each) are critical for reducing background
Research has demonstrated successful use of HRP-conjugated Donkey anti-Goat IgG antibodies to detect bound Goat anti-Influenza antibodies on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections following heat-mediated antigen retrieval .
Multiplexing with Rabbit anti-Goat IgG-HRP requires strategic experimental design to avoid cross-reactivity:
Sequential Detection Approaches:
Stripping and Re-probing Method:
Complete first detection with Rabbit anti-Goat IgG-HRP
Strip membrane using commercial stripping buffer
Block again and apply next primary/secondary pair
Most suitable for Western blotting applications
Different Reporter Systems:
Combine HRP detection with alternative conjugates (AP, fluorophores)
Allows distinction between signals based on detection method
Requires careful optimization of each detection system
Considerations for Successful Multiplexing:
Primary antibodies must be raised in different host species
Use highly cross-adsorbed secondary antibodies to prevent cross-reactivity
Consider potential steric hindrance between antibodies targeting closely positioned epitopes
Carefully optimize blocking conditions to minimize non-specific binding
Validate specificity of each antibody pair independently before combining
When designing multiplex experiments, the selection of properly cross-adsorbed secondary antibodies, such as those that have been adsorbed against multiple species, is critical to preventing false positive signals resulting from unintended cross-reactivity .
Understanding the distinctions between polyclonal and monoclonal secondary antibodies helps researchers select the appropriate reagent:
Most commercially available Rabbit anti-Goat IgG-HRP antibodies are polyclonal in nature, as evidenced by their descriptions as "pooled antisera from rabbits hyperimmunized with goat IgG" . These polyclonal preparations offer advantages in signal amplification due to their ability to bind multiple epitopes on the target molecule, but may require more extensive validation to ensure consistency between experimental runs.