The Anti-Phospho-N kappa-p65 (T505) RELA Antibody (catalog # A00284T505) is a polyclonal antibody that specifically recognizes the phosphorylated threonine 505 residue of the human NF-kappaB p65 protein (RELA). This antibody was produced against a synthesized peptide derived from human NF-kappaB p65, specifically targeting the region surrounding the phosphorylation site at Thr505 (amino acid range: 471-520) . The specificity for this phosphorylation site makes it valuable for studying post-translational modifications in NF-κB signaling pathways.
The Anti-Phospho-N kappa-p65 (T505) RELA Antibody has been validated to react with RELA protein from multiple species including Human, Mouse, and Rat . This cross-reactivity makes it suitable for comparative studies across these mammalian models, enabling researchers to investigate evolutionary conservation of NF-κB signaling mechanisms.
This antibody has been validated for the following applications:
The manufacturer recommends specific dilution ranges for optimal results in these applications:
When optimizing IHC protocols with the RELA (Ab-505) Antibody, consider the following methodological approach:
Fixation optimization: While standard formalin fixation works for many tissues, phospho-epitopes may require shorter fixation times (4-12 hours) to preserve phosphorylation status.
Antigen retrieval: Test both heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) methods using citrate buffer (pH 6.0) and Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 9.0) to determine optimal conditions for exposing the phospho-Thr505 epitope.
Blocking optimization: Use 5-10% normal serum from the same species as the secondary antibody plus 1% BSA to minimize background.
Antibody dilution: Begin with the manufacturer's recommended range (1:100-1:300) and perform a dilution series to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio for your specific tissue.
Incubation conditions: Test both overnight incubation at 4°C and 1-2 hour incubation at room temperature to determine which provides better specific staining.
Controls: Always include both a phosphatase-treated negative control (to confirm phospho-specificity) and a positive control tissue known to express phosphorylated RELA.
Detection system: For low abundance phospho-proteins, consider using high-sensitivity detection systems like tyramide signal amplification.
For optimal detection of phosphorylated RELA following cell stimulation:
Stimulation timing: Design a time-course experiment (0, 5, 15, 30, 60 minutes) to capture the kinetics of RELA phosphorylation at Thr505.
Cell lysis: Use phosphatase inhibitor-enriched RIPA buffer (containing 50mM NaF, 5mM sodium pyrophosphate, 10mM β-glycerophosphate, and 1mM Na₃VO₄) to preserve phosphorylation status.
Sample handling: Maintain samples on ice and process rapidly to minimize phosphatase activity.
Protocol specifics for ELISA:
Quantification: Always normalize phospho-RELA signals to total RELA protein levels to account for expression differences.
For advanced multiplex analysis of NF-κB signaling using RELA (Ab-505) Antibody:
Sequential immunostaining approach:
Begin with the lowest abundance phospho-epitope (often p-RELA T505)
Use tyramide signal amplification with spectrally distinct fluorophores
Perform heat-mediated antibody stripping (glycine-HCl, pH 2.5, 50°C for 10 minutes)
Verify complete stripping with secondary antibody-only control
Proceed with next antibody in the sequence
Complementary antibody selection:
Pair with antibodies against other NF-κB pathway components such as:
Phospho-IKKα/β
Phospho-IκBα
Other RELA phosphorylation sites (S536, S276)
c-Rel, p50, or p52 subunits
Technical considerations:
Ensure antibodies are raised in different host species or use isotype-specific secondary antibodies
Validate each antibody individually before combining
Include appropriate controls for each detection channel
Consider spectral unmixing for highly overlapping fluorophores
Data analysis approach:
Employ high-content imaging systems for quantitative analysis
Utilize colocalization analysis to assess spatial relationships between phosphorylated proteins
Apply machine learning algorithms for pattern recognition in complex signaling responses
To address cross-reactivity concerns and ensure signal specificity:
Validation through competitive blocking:
Pre-incubate antibody with excess phosphorylated immunogenic peptide
Compare staining patterns with and without blocking peptide
Specific signals should be eliminated by peptide competition
Phosphatase controls:
Treat duplicate samples with lambda phosphatase before immunostaining
Phospho-specific signals should be abolished in treated samples
Retain untreated controls for comparison
Genetic validation approaches:
Use RELA knockout or knockdown models as negative controls
Employ site-directed mutagenesis (T505A) to validate phospho-specificity
Implement CRISPR-edited cell lines lacking the specific phosphorylation site
Orthogonal detection methods:
Confirm findings using an alternative detection technology (mass spectrometry)
Employ phospho-specific detection using Phos-tag™ SDS-PAGE
Validate with a second antibody targeting a different epitope on the same protein
For troubleshooting weak or inconsistent IHC signals:
Critical factors for successful phospho-RELA detection in stimulation experiments:
Stimulation conditions:
Stimulus concentration and duration significantly impact phosphorylation kinetics
Cell confluence affects signaling efficiency (70-80% confluence typically optimal)
Serum starvation prior to stimulation reduces background phosphorylation
Sample processing timing:
Rapid processing is essential as phosphorylation can be transient
Immediate lysis in cold, phosphatase inhibitor-containing buffer is critical
Avoid freeze-thaw cycles of phosphoprotein samples
Technical parameters:
Maintain phosphatase inhibitor cocktail freshness
Buffer pH affects phospho-epitope stability
Temperature control during processing (keep samples cold)
Experimental design considerations:
Include positive controls (known pathway activators like TNFα or IL-1β)
Implement time-course analysis to capture peak phosphorylation
Use multiple technical and biological replicates to account for variability
For integration into advanced screening or single-cell platforms:
High-throughput screening applications:
Adapt to automated immunofluorescence platforms in 384-well format
Optimize antibody concentrations for microfluidic chamber applications
Develop high-content imaging protocols focusing on nuclear translocation and phospho-RELA intensity
Create analysis pipelines that quantify both signal intensity and subcellular localization
Single-cell analysis integration:
Modify protocols for compatibility with mass cytometry (CyTOF) using metal-conjugated antibodies
Optimize for imaging mass cytometry to preserve spatial information
Develop flow cytometry protocols with appropriate permeabilization for intracellular phospho-epitopes
Implement the following fixation/permeabilization strategy:
2% paraformaldehyde fixation (10 minutes)
Methanol permeabilization (-20°C, 30 minutes)
Gradual rehydration to preserve epitope accessibility
Spatial analysis platforms:
Optimize for multiplexed ion beam imaging (MIBI)
Adapt protocols for digital spatial profiling platforms
Develop sequential immunofluorescence cycling methods for highly multiplexed tissue analysis
Data integration approaches:
Combine phospho-RELA signal with transcriptomic data for pathway activity correlation
Implement machine learning algorithms for pattern recognition across large datasets
Develop visualization tools for multi-parameter data representation
For mechanistic studies of non-canonical NF-κB signaling:
Pathway-specific considerations:
The Thr505 phosphorylation site may have distinct regulation in canonical versus non-canonical pathways
Design experiments to specifically activate non-canonical signaling (e.g., using LIGHT, CD40L, or LTβR agonists)
Include time points extending to 24-48 hours to capture slower non-canonical activation kinetics
Key control experiments:
Compare RELA Thr505 phosphorylation patterns between canonical (TNFα) and non-canonical stimuli
Include inhibitors specific to each pathway arm:
IKKβ inhibitors (for canonical pathway)
NIK inhibitors (for non-canonical pathway)
Monitor processing of p100 to p52 as confirmation of non-canonical activation
Experimental design matrix:
Create a comprehensive stimulation grid varying:
Stimulus type (canonical vs. non-canonical activators)
Inhibitor combinations
Time course sampling
Cell types with varying non-canonical component expression
Advanced analytical approaches:
Employ proximity ligation assays to detect interactions between phospho-RELA and non-canonical pathway components
Perform ChIP-seq with the RELA (Ab-505) Antibody to identify binding sites specific to non-canonical stimulation
Correlate phosphorylation status with functional outcomes (gene expression, cell survival)
Advanced computational approaches for phospho-RELA data analysis:
Spatio-temporal modeling:
Develop cellular compartment segmentation algorithms to track phospho-RELA movement
Apply mathematical modeling to quantify nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling dynamics
Implement reaction-diffusion models to understand phosphorylation propagation within cells
Machine learning applications:
Train neural networks to identify subtle patterns in phospho-RELA distribution
Apply clustering algorithms to identify cell subpopulations based on phosphorylation profiles
Develop predictive models for cellular responses based on early phosphorylation events
Network analysis integration:
Map phospho-RELA signals onto known protein-protein interaction networks
Integrate phosphoproteomic data with transcriptomic responses
Develop pathway enrichment methods specific to phosphorylation-dependent processes
Image analysis advancements:
Implement deep learning for automated quantification of IHC/IF images
Develop algorithms for tissue-specific normalization of phospho-signals
Create visualization tools for multi-dimensional phosphorylation data across tissue sections
Emerging applications in disease mechanism research:
Neurodegenerative disease applications:
Investigate the role of RELA Thr505 phosphorylation in neuroinflammatory processes
Examine correlations between phospho-RELA patterns and disease progression in tissue microarrays
Study cell type-specific phosphorylation in complex brain tissues using multiplexed imaging
Cancer research applications:
Analyze phospho-RELA T505 status across cancer progression stages
Correlate with treatment resistance phenotypes
Investigate as a potential biomarker for targeted therapy response
Immunological disorder research:
Examine phosphorylation patterns in autoimmune disease tissues
Correlate with disease activity scores in inflammatory conditions
Study the impact of biologic therapies on phospho-RELA signaling
Methodological integration in clinical research:
Develop tissue-based companion diagnostic approaches
Create standardized reporting guidelines for phospho-epitope analysis
Implement digital pathology tools for quantitative assessment across patient cohorts