Target Protein: RIPOR2 (RHO family interacting cell polarization regulator 2), also known as FAM65B, MYONAP, or C6orf32, is a 1068-amino acid protein with a mass of 118.5 kDa. It localizes to the cell membrane and cytoplasm and has two isoforms .
Inhibits RHOA GTPase activity, regulating cell polarization and migration in immune cells (e.g., T cells, neutrophils) .
Modulates DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, particularly interacting with PARP1 .
Suppresses cancer cell proliferation via RHOA-independent mechanisms and influences immunotherapy efficacy .
Western Blot: Primary method for detecting RIPOR2 expression .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)/Immunofluorescence (IF): Used to localize RIPOR2 in clinical samples (e.g., cervical cancer tissues) .
Mechanistic Insights:
RIPOR2 overexpression reduces cervical cancer (CC) cell proliferation and migration in vitro (validated via EdU, transwell, and colony formation assays) .
Binds HDAC6 and 14-3-3 to inhibit mitotic spindle formation, inducing mitotic failure in resting T cells .
Correlates with PARP1 upregulation, suggesting synergy with PARP inhibitors in DDR-targeted therapies .
Prognostic Biomarker: High RIPOR2 levels predict better survival and immunotherapy response in cervical cancer .
Therapeutic Target: RIPOR2’s interaction with PARP1 and DDR pathways highlights its potential in combination therapies (e.g., PARP inhibitors + immunotherapy) .
Immune Modulation: RIPOR2 enhances CD8+ T cell infiltration, making it critical for overcoming "immune desert" tumors .
RIPOR2 (also known as FAM65B, DFNA21, DFNB104) is a 118.5 kDa protein comprising 1068 amino acid residues that functions as an atypical inhibitor of the small GTPase RhoA . It is primarily localized in the cell membrane and cytoplasm, with significant expression in primary fetal mononuclear myoblasts . RIPOR2 plays critical roles in multiple cellular processes including myoblast fusion, hair cell differentiation, T lymphocyte proliferation, and neutrophil polarization . Its importance in research stems from its involvement in hearing mechanisms, immune function, and cancer progression, making it a valuable target for studying these physiological and pathological processes .
Several types of RIPOR2 antibodies are available for research use:
| Antibody Type | Host | Applications | Reactivity | Conjugates Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyclonal | Rabbit | WB, ELISA, IHC | Human | Unconjugated, HRP, FITC, Biotin |
| Polyclonal | Rabbit | WB | Human, Mouse, Rat | Unconjugated |
| Polyclonal | Rabbit | IF, ICC, WB | Human, Mouse, Rat | Unconjugated |
Most commercially available antibodies are polyclonal, derived from rabbit hosts, and demonstrate reactivity against human RIPOR2, with some exhibiting cross-reactivity with mouse and rat orthologs .
RIPOR2 antibodies are most commonly utilized in:
Western Blotting (WB): Effective at dilutions of 1:500-1:2000 for detecting RIPOR2 protein in cell and tissue lysates
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Recommended dilutions of 1:20-1:200 for visualizing RIPOR2 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues
Immunofluorescence (IF): Used at 1:50-1:200 dilutions to examine subcellular localization and translocation of RIPOR2
ELISA: For quantitative detection and immunoprecipitation experiments
Selection of the appropriate application depends on whether you're investigating expression levels, localization patterns, or protein-protein interactions involving RIPOR2 .
To optimize RIPOR2 antibody-based immunoprecipitation:
Antibody selection: Use antibodies raised against different epitopes of RIPOR2 to ensure complete coverage. For example, antibodies targeting AA 1-250 region versus those targeting other domains may reveal different interaction partners .
Cross-linking strategy: Implement reversible cross-linking with DSP (dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate)) at 0.5-2 mM for 30 minutes before cell lysis to capture transient interactions, as demonstrated in studies identifying RIPOR2's interaction with gentamicin (GEN) .
Buffer optimization: For membrane-associated interactions, use buffers containing 1% NP-40 or 0.5% Triton X-100; for cytoskeletal interactions, include 0.5 mM MgCl₂ and reduce detergent concentration to 0.1% .
Validation controls: Always include IgG control, lysate-only control, and for suspected interactions, competitive blocking with purified recombinant RIPOR2 protein .
Confirmation strategy: Verify interactions through reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation and direct binding assays using purified proteins .
This approach has successfully identified novel interactions between RIPOR2 and proteins involved in autophagy pathways and aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity .
For studying RIPOR2 translocation:
Time-course design: Implement short time intervals (2.5, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes) after stimulation, as RIPOR2 has been shown to translocate from stereocilia base to pericuticular areas within 2.5 minutes of gentamicin exposure in cochlear hair cells .
Fixation method: Use 4% paraformaldehyde for 20 minutes at room temperature, followed by permeabilization with 0.2% Triton X-100 for 10 minutes to preserve translocation events .
Dual immunofluorescence: Combine RIPOR2 antibody (1:150 dilution) with markers for subcellular compartments:
Live-cell imaging: For real-time translocation studies, express GFP-tagged RIPOR2 in appropriate cell lines and monitor movement using confocal microscopy with environmental controls (37°C, 5% CO₂) .
Quantification: Measure the percentage of RIPOR2 signal in different subcellular compartments using fluorescence intensity ratios across at least 30 cells per condition .
This approach has successfully captured RIPOR2 translocation dynamics in response to aminoglycoside exposure in cochlear hair cells .
For multi-color immunofluorescence studies of RIPOR2 in immune cell polarization:
Antibody panel selection:
Sequential staining protocol:
Controls:
Single-color controls for spectral compensation
FMO (fluorescence minus one) controls to set proper gates
Isotype controls to verify specificity
Imaging parameters:
Quantitative analysis:
This methodology enables comprehensive assessment of RIPOR2's spatial organization during immune cell polarization events.
Studies have established significant correlations between RIPOR2 expression and immunotherapy response:
Expression patterns: High RIPOR2 expression is associated with lower tumor mutation burden (TMB), higher ESTIMATEScores (reflecting immune and stromal cell presence in tumors), and elevated immune checkpoint (ICP) expression .
Immune phenotype correlation: RIPOR2 expression levels correlate with tumor immune phenotypes:
Immunotherapy response prediction: Patients with high RIPOR2 expression show significantly better responses to:
Immune cell composition: High RIPOR2 expression correlates with:
Checkpoint expression correlation: RIPOR2 expression positively correlates with multiple immune checkpoints including LAG3, TIGIT, CTSS, ICOS, and TIM3, providing a potential mechanistic explanation for immunotherapy responsiveness .
These findings suggest RIPOR2 could serve as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy response, particularly in cervical cancer patients .
For investigating RIPOR2's role in hearing loss:
Tissue preparation techniques:
Antibody validation in knockout models:
Co-labeling strategy:
Subcellular localization analysis:
Functional correlation studies:
This methodological approach has successfully demonstrated RIPOR2's critical role in stereocilia maintenance and aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity .
To investigate RIPOR2's role in genomic instability:
Combined immunohistochemistry and DNA damage marker analysis:
Cell line model systems:
Protein interaction networks:
Correlation with mutation signatures:
Functional readouts:
This comprehensive approach has revealed that low RIPOR2 expression correlates with increased genomic instability, higher tumor mutation burden, and differential expression of DDR-related genes in cervical cancer .
Common issues and solutions for RIPOR2 Western blotting:
Additionally, use 4-10% gradient gels for optimal separation, transfer at 30V overnight at 4°C for high molecular weight RIPOR2, and validate antibody specificity using RIPOR2 knockdown/knockout controls when possible .
To address inconsistent RIPOR2 IHC staining:
Antigen retrieval optimization:
Fixation considerations:
Antibody dilution series:
Signal amplification systems:
Validation controls:
Counterstaining optimization:
This systematic approach has successfully resolved inconsistent staining issues in RIPOR2 IHC studies of cervical cancer progression .
For improved detection of endogenous RIPOR2 in primary immune cells:
Sample preparation optimization:
Fixation and permeabilization testing matrix:
| Fixative | Permeabilization | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 4% PFA, 10 min | 0.1% Triton X-100, 5 min | Preserves morphology but may reduce signal |
| 2% PFA, 5 min | 0.5% Saponin, 10 min | Better for membrane-associated RIPOR2 |
| Methanol, -20°C, 10 min | No additional step | Best for cytoskeletal-associated RIPOR2 |
| 1:1 Methanol:Acetone, -20°C, 5 min | No additional step | Balanced approach for most immune cells |
Signal amplification techniques:
Background reduction strategies:
Advanced imaging approaches:
These strategies have enabled successful detection of endogenous RIPOR2 in primary T cells and neutrophils, revealing its dynamic localization during immune cell polarization .
When facing contradictions between antibody-based and RNA-seq RIPOR2 data:
Evaluate post-transcriptional regulation:
Assess protein stability and turnover:
Consider isoform-specific detection limitations:
Technical validation strategies:
Biological context consideration:
This comprehensive approach revealed that in cervical cancer, discrepancies between RIPOR2 protein and mRNA levels were attributed to differential protein stability and subcellular translocation rather than technical limitations of detection methods .
To investigate RIPOR2-cytoskeleton interactions:
Live-cell imaging setup:
Proximity ligation assay (PLA) design:
Subcellular fractionation approach:
Structured drug perturbation experiments:
| Cytoskeletal Drug | Concentration | Pretreatment Time | Expected Effect on RIPOR2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latrunculin B | 1-5 μM | 30 min | Disrupts actin-RIPOR2 interactions |
| Jasplakinolide | 0.5-1 μM | 30 min | Stabilizes actin-RIPOR2 interactions |
| Y-27632 (ROCK inhibitor) | 10-20 μM | 2 hours | Blocks RhoA-mediated effects on RIPOR2 |
| Blebbistatin | 10-50 μM | 1 hour | Reveals myosin-dependent RIPOR2 localization |
FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching) analysis:
This multi-modal approach has revealed RIPOR2's dynamic interactions with actin during T cell polarization and stereocilia maintenance in hair cells .
When using RIPOR2 antibodies with genetic manipulation:
Essential expression vector controls:
Antibody validation in genetically modified systems:
Quantification standards:
Functional validation:
Off-target effect assessment:
These comprehensive validation steps were crucial in establishing RIPOR2's role as an anti-tumor factor in cervical cancer through multiple experimental approaches including EdU assays, colony formation assays, and transwell migration assays .
For multiplexed proteomic studies of RIPOR2 in cancer immune microenvironments:
Multiplex immunofluorescence panel design:
Sequential multiplexed immunohistochemistry:
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) integration:
Digital spatial profiling:
Single-cell proteogenomic correlation:
This multiplexed approach revealed that tumors with high RIPOR2 expression harbor significantly higher CD8+ T cell infiltration and exhibit an "inflamed" phenotype that correlates with better immunotherapy response .
For investigating RIPOR2-DDR protein relationships:
Co-immunoprecipitation optimization:
DNA damage induction panel:
| DNA Damage Type | Inducing Agent | Concentration/Dose | Primary DDR Pathways Activated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double-strand breaks | Ionizing radiation | 2-10 Gy | NHEJ, HR (ATM-dependent) |
| Replication stress | Hydroxyurea | 0.5-2 mM, 6-24h | ATR-CHK1 pathway |
| Interstrand crosslinks | Cisplatin | 10-50 μM, 4-24h | FA pathway, NER, HR |
| Base damage | H₂O₂ | 100-500 μM, 0.5-2h | BER (PARP1-dependent) |
Proximity ligation assay (PLA) optimization:
Chromatin fractionation approach:
Functional DNA repair assays:
This comprehensive approach revealed that RIPOR2 expression inversely correlates with genomic instability markers and affects the expression of multiple DDR genes, with a particularly strong relationship with PARP1 expression in cervical cancer cells .
For investigating RIPOR2 in aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity:
Ex vivo cochlear explant model:
Protein-drug interaction analysis:
In vivo model development:
Mechanistic pathway analysis:
Translational intervention approach: