PRDM16 (PR Domain-Containing Protein 16) is a zinc finger transcription factor involved in:
Brown vs. white adipose tissue differentiation (regulates thermogenesis and energy metabolism) .
TGF-β signaling repression (impacts orofacial development and cancer) .
Antibodies targeting PRDM16 are essential for studying its role in adipose tissue biology, oncogenesis, and developmental processes.
PRDM16 antibodies are validated for diverse techniques:
Note: Molecular weight discrepancies arise from isoforms (e.g., isoform 4 lacks the PR domain ) or post-translational modifications.
PRDM16 antibodies have elucidated critical roles in:
Brown fat biogenesis: PRDM16 stabilizes beige fat through post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation, sumoylation) .
White fat suppression: PRDM16 represses white adipose tissue differentiation via CEBPB cooperation .
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Truncated PRDM16 (lacking the PR domain) is overexpressed in t(1;3)-positive MDS/AML cases .
Brain development: PRDM16 interacts with LHX2 to specify retinal ganglion cell subtypes .
TGF-β repression: PRDM16 binds Smad3, inhibiting TGF-β-driven gene expression .
Histone methylation: PRDM16 monomethylates H3K9, influencing chromatin structure and gene regulation .
Isoform variability: PRDM16 isoforms (e.g., isoform 4) may alter antibody specificity .
Sample types: Validate antibodies in nuclear extracts (brown adipose tissue) or frozen sections (embryos) .
Signal enhancement: Use near-infrared fluorescence (e.g., Licor streptavidin 800) for low-abundance targets .
Here’s a structured collection of FAQs tailored for academic research on RDM16 antibodies, incorporating methodological insights and data from peer-reviewed studies:
RDM16 (RNA-DIRECTED DNA METHYLATION 16) is a pre-mRNA splicing factor critical for heat stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. It regulates the splicing of 18/20 HEAT SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR (HSF) mRNAs, enabling proper heat stress responses. Knockout mutants (rdm16-1, rdm16-4) exhibit hypersensitivity to heat stress, impaired HSF splicing, and reduced survival rates under heat treatment .
Methodological Insight: To study RDM16’s role:
Use RT-qPCR to quantify HSF splicing efficiency in mutants vs. wild-type plants.
Perform transcriptomic profiling (RNA-seq) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under heat stress.
Validate condensation behavior via GFP-tagged RDM16 in protoplasts under heat stress .
Validation involves:
Western Blot: Detect a ~170 kDa band in lysates (e.g., K562 human leukemia cells) .
Knockdown Validation: Compare RDM16 protein levels in wild-type vs. rdm16 mutants .
Immunofluorescence: Localize RDM16 condensates in nuclei under heat stress (42°C) .
Data Table: Antibody Performance Across Studies
| Application | Host | Target Species | Key Validation Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | Sheep | Human/Mouse | 170 kDa band in K562 lysates | |
| Immunofluorescence | Rabbit | Arabidopsis | Nuclear condensates at 42°C |
RDM16 produces two splice isoforms:
RDM16-LONG (RDL): Full-length protein with intact IDR1 (intrinsically disordered region).
RDM16-SHORT (RDS): Lacks part of IDR1 but enhances RDL condensation under heat stress .
Design isoform-specific primers for RT-qPCR to distinguish RDL/RDS expression.
Use GFP-tagged constructs to compare condensate formation between isoforms .
Cross-Reactivity: Commercial PRDM16 antibodies (e.g., AF6295) may cross-react with non-target proteins due to conserved domains .
Epitope Masking: Heat-induced condensates may obscure antibody binding sites.
Pre-treat samples with proteinase K to expose epitopes in condensates.
Combine immunofluorescence with transcriptomic data to confirm functional relevance .
Case Example: A study reports a 170 kDa band , while another detects smaller isoforms .
| Factor | Investigation Method | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Translational Modifications | Phos-tag gel electrophoresis | |
| Species Specificity | Compare reactivity in Arabidopsis vs. human |
Perform co-analysis of DEGs (e.g., HSA32, APX2, COR15A) and RDM16 protein levels under heat stress .
Use ChIP-seq with anti-RDM16 antibodies to identify direct splicing targets.
| Gene | Expression (Log2FC) | Splicing Efficiency (WT vs. rdm16) |
|---|---|---|
| HSFA2 | +3.2 | 85% reduction in rdm16 |
| APX2 | +1.8 | 72% reduction |