RPS4Y1 antibodies are immunological reagents designed to target the RPS4Y1 protein, which is encoded by the Y-chromosome gene RPS4Y1. This protein is functionally interchangeable with its X-linked homolog, RPS4X, but differs in amino acid sequence . Antibodies against RPS4Y1 enable sex-specific studies and have been instrumental in elucidating its role in diseases like Turner syndrome and diabetic complications .
Mechanism: RPS4Y1 overexpression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under high glucose conditions exacerbates mitochondrial depolarization, apoptosis, and inflammation via p38 MAPK signaling .
Functional Impact:
A monoclonal antibody targeting RPS4Y1’s unique epitopes (e.g., residues 155–177) distinguishes male cells (e.g., fetal cells in maternal blood) from female cells with 100% specificity .
Applications: Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of X-linked disorders (e.g., hemophilia) .
Western Blot: Detects RPS4Y1 at 29 kDa in male-derived tissues (e.g., HepG2 cells) .
Immunofluorescence: Localizes RPS4Y1 to cytoplasmic ribosomes in endothelial and trophoblast cells .
Functional Studies: Used to dissect RPS4Y1’s role in Turner syndrome and preeclampsia .
Diabetes Complications: Serves as a therapeutic target for mitigating endothelial damage in diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy .
Prenatal Testing: Enables isolation of male fetal cells for genetic screening without invasive procedures .
| Aspect | Polyclonal (17296-1-AP) | Monoclonal (PMC7921920) |
|---|---|---|
| Specificity | Cross-reactive with RPS4X | Exclusive to RPS4Y1 |
| Applications | Broad (WB, IHC, IF) | Specialized (male cell detection) |
| Immunogen | Fusion protein | Synthetic peptide (residues 155–177) |
| Use in Diagnostics | Limited | High (prenatal diagnosis) |
Cross-Reactivity: Polyclonal antibodies may yield false positives in tissues expressing RPS4X .
Therapeutic Potential: Targeting RPS4Y1-p38 MAPK interactions could alleviate diabetic complications .
Technical Optimization: Improving antibody specificity for single-cell sequencing and liquid biopsy applications .
RPS4Y1 (Ribosomal Protein S4, Y-Linked 1) is a protein encoded by a Y-chromosome linked gene in humans. It's a critical component of the 40S ribosomal subunit involved in protein synthesis. The significance of RPS4Y1 in research stems from several key characteristics:
It is exclusively expressed in male cells, making it a valuable male-specific biomarker
It has high homology (approximately 93% sequence identity) with its X-chromosome counterpart, RPS4X
It's expressed early in embryonic development (8-cell stage) and maintains expression throughout development
It's broadly expressed across multiple male tissues including placenta, liver, and blood
RPS4Y1 has become particularly valuable in applications requiring male cell identification, such as non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of X-linked inherited diseases like hemophilia, as well as in understanding gender-specific cellular responses in various pathological conditions .
Multiple types of RPS4Y1 antibodies are available for research applications, varying in host species, clonality, and targeted epitopes:
These antibodies have been validated for specificity against the Y-linked variant and show minimal to no cross-reactivity with the highly homologous RPS4X protein, making them suitable for male-specific cell detection .
Validating RPS4Y1 antibody specificity for male cell detection requires a systematic approach using both male and female control samples:
Transcriptional validation:
Protein detection specificity:
Immunofluorescence validation:
Perform parallel staining of male and female cells
Quantify specificity by:
Percentage of positive cells (should be >75% for male cells, <2% for female cells)
Mean fluorescence intensity (should be significantly higher in male cells)
Test different incubation conditions (overnight at 4°C and 3 hours at room temperature)
Native protein binding:
These validation steps ensure that the antibody specifically detects RPS4Y1 and not its homologous protein RPS4X, which is critical for accurate male cell identification in research applications .
For optimal Western blotting with RPS4Y1 antibodies, researchers should follow these methodological guidelines:
Sample preparation:
SDS-PAGE conditions:
Antibody dilutions and incubation:
Detection:
Troubleshooting:
If weak signal, increase antibody concentration or extend incubation time
If background is high, increase blocking time or washing steps
If non-specific bands appear, optimize antibody dilution or consider more stringent washing conditions
These optimized conditions will ensure reliable and specific detection of RPS4Y1 protein in Western blot applications .
For effective immunofluorescence detection of male cells using RPS4Y1 antibodies, researchers should follow these methodological guidelines:
Cell preparation:
Antibody incubation conditions:
Detection and imaging parameters:
Use fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies (typically 1:500-1:1000 dilution)
Counterstain nuclei with DAPI (1:1000) for 5 minutes
Expected results:
Subcellular localization analysis:
Quantification methods:
These protocols enable accurate discrimination between male and female cells with high specificity, making RPS4Y1 immunofluorescence a valuable technique for applications requiring male cell identification or isolation .
When performing immunoprecipitation (IP) with RPS4Y1 antibodies, researchers should address these key methodological considerations:
Antibody selection and preparation:
Lysate preparation:
Immunoprecipitation protocol:
Couple anti-RPS4Y1 antibody to protein G magnetic beads with high affinity for IgG
Incubate antibody-coupled beads with cell lysate (typically 500-1000 μg total protein)
Wash extensively (minimum 3-5 washes) to reduce background
Elute using either:
Expected results and verification:
When using male cell lysates (e.g., HepG2), expect three bands on Western blot analysis of IP samples:
50 kDa band (heavy chain of immunoglobulins)
25 kDa band (light chain of immunoglobulins)
29.4 kDa band (RPS4Y1 protein)
The presence of RPS4Y1 in the protein-G supernatant suggests incomplete capture, which may require optimization
Controls and troubleshooting:
Always include negative controls:
IP with non-specific IgG
IP from female cell lysates (should not capture RPS4Y1)
If co-IP is desired, verify preservation of protein-protein interactions in your buffer system
If yield is low, try crosslinking antibody to beads to prevent antibody leaching
Following these guidelines will allow successful isolation of native RPS4Y1 protein for downstream applications while maintaining its biological interactions and properties .
RPS4Y1 antibodies offer a promising approach for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of X-linked diseases through these methodological steps:
Scientific rationale:
In pregnancies with male fetuses affected by X-linked diseases (e.g., hemophilia), identifying male fetal cells in maternal blood allows analysis without invasive procedures
RPS4Y1 serves as a male-specific biomarker expressed early in embryonic development (8-cell stage)
Strong expression in trophoblasts from first-trimester pregnancies makes it ideal for early detection
Sample collection and processing methodology:
Collect 20-30 ml of maternal peripheral blood (typically after 7 weeks gestation)
Isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using density gradient centrifugation
Deplete maternal cells using maternal-specific markers or enrichment techniques
Male fetal cell detection protocol:
Genetic analysis workflow:
Isolate individual RPS4Y1-positive cells identified as fetal in origin
Perform whole genome amplification of single cells if needed
Conduct genetic testing for the specific X-linked disease mutation
Interpret results within clinical context
Validation and quality control requirements:
This methodology enables the detection and isolation of rare male fetal cells from maternal circulation, facilitating genetic analysis of X-linked conditions without the risks associated with invasive procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling .
RPS4Y1 plays a significant role in endothelial dysfunction, particularly in diabetic conditions, and antibodies against RPS4Y1 provide valuable tools to investigate this mechanism:
Functional role of RPS4Y1 in endothelial dysfunction:
RPS4Y1 is highly expressed in endothelial cells exposed to high glucose conditions
It contributes to endothelial dysfunction through multiple cellular effects:
Decreased cell viability (shown in MTT assays)
Increased apoptosis (demonstrated by flow cytometry)
Mitochondrial depolarization (evidenced by JC-1 staining)
Reduced migration capacity (measured by scratch test)
Impaired tube formation (angiogenesis assay)
Enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine production (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8)
Mechanistic pathway investigation methodology:
RPS4Y1 activates the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in endothelial cells
Experimental approach:
Antibody-based experimental methods:
Western blotting:
Monitor RPS4Y1 protein expression levels in response to high glucose
Quantify activation of downstream signaling molecules (e.g., p-p38/p38 ratio)
Immunofluorescence:
Visualize subcellular localization changes under pathological conditions
Co-localize with other signaling molecules to establish pathway interactions
Co-immunoprecipitation:
Research applications in diabetic complications:
These methodologies provide a framework for investigating how RPS4Y1 contributes to endothelial dysfunction and developing potential therapeutic strategies for diabetes-related complications .
The strategic exploitation of differences between RPS4Y1 and RPS4X using specific antibodies opens unique research opportunities:
Structural and sequence differences:
Despite 93% sequence identity, RPS4Y1 and RPS4X differ in 19 amino acid positions
Three key regions with clustered differences:
Antibody development methodology targeting differences:
Design synthetic peptides corresponding to regions with highest amino acid divergence
Conjugate peptides to carrier proteins (e.g., KLH) to enhance immunogenicity
Screen resulting antibodies against both RPS4Y1 and RPS4X peptides to ensure specificity
Validate using cells expressing only RPS4X (female cells) versus cells expressing both (male cells)
Research applications exploiting these differences:
Sex chromosome dosage studies:
Investigate differential expression patterns in development
Study compensation mechanisms for X-linked gene dosage
Examine effects of aneuploidy (e.g., Turner syndrome)
Y-chromosome gene expression analysis:
RPS4Y1 antibodies enable tissue-specific protein expression profiling
Study regulation of Y-linked genes in different physiological conditions
Investigate changes in male-specific protein expression in disease states
Ribosomal heterogeneity exploration:
Compare ribosomes containing RPS4Y1 versus RPS4X
Investigate potential specialized translation functions
Analysis methodology:
Technical considerations for comparative studies:
This approach allows researchers to distinguish between highly homologous proteins and investigate sex-specific biology at the molecular and cellular levels with high precision and specificity .
Researchers working with RPS4Y1 antibodies may encounter several technical challenges that can be systematically addressed:
Cross-reactivity with RPS4X:
Problem: False positive signals in female samples due to high sequence homology (~93%) between RPS4Y1 and RPS4X
Solution:
Verify antibody specificity using male and female control samples in parallel
Select antibodies targeting epitopes in regions of highest divergence (especially the Y3 region, 155-177 aa)
Increase antibody dilution to reduce non-specific binding
Perform more stringent washing steps between antibody incubations
Weak or inconsistent signal detection:
Problem: Insufficient sensitivity in detecting endogenous RPS4Y1 levels
Solution:
Optimize protein extraction methods (use RIPA buffer with protease inhibitors)
Increase antibody concentration (adjust from 1:1000 to 1:500 or 1:200)
Extend primary antibody incubation time (overnight at 4°C)
Use signal enhancement systems (e.g., biotin-streptavidin amplification)
For immunofluorescence, try antigen retrieval methods if working with fixed tissues
Background issues in immunofluorescence:
Problem: High background obscuring specific RPS4Y1 signal
Solution:
Increase blocking time (1-2 hours with 5% BSA or normal serum)
Use more dilute primary antibody (1:500-1:800 range)
Add 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 to antibody dilution buffer
Include additional washing steps (5-6 washes of 5 minutes each)
Consider using tyramide signal amplification for specific signal enhancement
Inconsistent immunoprecipitation results:
Problem: Incomplete pull-down of RPS4Y1 protein
Solution:
Pre-clear lysates with protein G beads alone before adding antibody
Increase antibody amount (up to 5 μg per reaction)
Extend incubation time for antibody-antigen binding (overnight at 4°C)
Use crosslinking to covalently attach antibody to beads
Adjust lysis buffer composition to better preserve protein-antibody interactions
Degradation of RPS4Y1 protein:
By applying these troubleshooting approaches, researchers can optimize their experimental conditions for reliable and specific detection of RPS4Y1 protein across different applications .
Proper storage and handling of RPS4Y1 antibodies is critical for maintaining their specificity and activity over time:
Long-term storage requirements:
Store antibodies at -20°C for optimal long-term stability
Most commercial RPS4Y1 antibodies are supplied in storage buffer containing:
PBS (pH 7.4)
0.02% sodium azide (preservative)
50% glycerol (cryoprotectant)
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can lead to protein denaturation and loss of activity
Optimal handling procedures:
Upon receipt:
Briefly centrifuge vials to collect liquid at the bottom
Prepare small working aliquots (10-20 μl) to avoid repeated freezing and thawing
Store original stock and aliquots at -20°C
Before use:
Working stock management:
For frequent use, maintain a working dilution at 4°C for up to 2 weeks
Add BSA (0.1-1%) to diluted antibody to enhance stability
Prepare fresh dilutions for critical experiments
Monitor performance regularly with positive and negative controls
Document lot numbers and performance characteristics for reproducibility
Shipping and temporary storage considerations:
Performance monitoring over time:
Following these storage and handling guidelines will help maintain optimal antibody performance and ensure reliable, reproducible results in experiments using RPS4Y1 antibodies .
Implementing appropriate controls is critical for ensuring reliable and interpretable results when working with RPS4Y1 antibodies:
Positive and negative biological controls:
Positive controls:
Male cell lines (e.g., HepG2, DU 145) known to express RPS4Y1
Male tissue samples (e.g., testis tissue, male PBMCs)
RPS4Y1-overexpressing cell models (transfected with expression plasmids)
Negative controls:
Technical controls for antibody specificity:
Peptide competition assay:
Secondary antibody-only control:
Omit primary antibody but include all other reagents
Identifies non-specific binding of secondary antibody
Isotype control:
Application-specific control strategies:
Western blotting:
Immunofluorescence:
Immunoprecipitation:
Validation controls:
Orthogonal method verification:
Knockdown/overexpression validation:
RPS4Y1 antibodies offer unique advantages for forensic sex determination and identification through these methodological approaches:
Forensic sample analysis methodology:
Sample types suitable for analysis:
Cellular material from crime scenes (tissue, blood, saliva stains)
Degraded samples where DNA might be compromised
Mixed samples containing male and female cells
Processing protocol:
Advantages over conventional DNA-based methods:
Protein stability:
Proteins often remain detectable when DNA is degraded
RPS4Y1 protein is abundant (ribosomal component) enhancing detection sensitivity
Cellular resolution:
Allows visualization and counting of individual male cells
Enables determination of male/female cell ratios in mixed samples
Can reveal spatial distribution of male cells within complex samples
Rapid analysis:
Technical considerations for forensic applications:
Antibody selection:
Use monoclonal antibodies targeting Y3 peptide region (155-177 aa) for highest specificity
Verify antibody performance with degraded control samples mimicking forensic conditions
Validation requirements:
Integration with other forensic techniques:
Complementary analysis approach:
Use RPS4Y1 immunostaining for rapid initial screening
Follow with confirmatory DNA analysis on positive samples
Combine with other protein markers for enhanced identification
Sequential testing:
Emerging applications:
These methodologies position RPS4Y1 antibody-based detection as a valuable complementary approach to conventional DNA methods in forensic sex determination, particularly for challenging sample types .
RPS4Y1 antibodies offer significant potential for investigating gender-specific disease mechanisms through several research approaches:
Gender differences in endothelial dysfunction:
Research methodology:
Compare RPS4Y1 expression levels in male endothelial cells under normal vs. pathological conditions
Correlate RPS4Y1 expression with inflammatory markers and functional outcomes
Investigate RPS4Y1-dependent signaling pathways (particularly p38 MAPK) that may contribute to male-specific vascular responses
Experimental approach:
Sex-specific responses in diabetic complications:
RPS4Y1's role in male-specific pathology:
High glucose conditions significantly alter RPS4Y1 expression and function
RPS4Y1 contributes to endothelial dysfunction via:
Decreased cell viability
Increased apoptosis
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Enhanced inflammatory cytokine production (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8)
These mechanisms may partially explain male-predominant patterns in certain diabetic complications
Research applications:
Developmental and reproductive biology:
Early embryonic development:
Methodology for Y-linked gene expression studies:
Ribosomal biology and specialized translation:
Sex-specific ribosome composition:
RPS4Y1 and RPS4X create subtle differences in ribosome composition between males and females
Research methodology:
Immunoprecipitate RPS4Y1-containing ribosomes
Analyze mRNA association patterns
Investigate potential specialized translation functions
These differences may contribute to sex-specific disease manifestations through translational regulation
Experimental design considerations:
Control selection:
Include both male and female samples in all experiments
Use RPS4Y1-silenced male cells as controls when studying function
Consider hormone effects on gene expression and signaling pathways
Interpretation framework:
This research direction has significant potential to advance our understanding of sex differences in disease mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets for gender-specific interventions .
RPS4Y1 antibodies hold significant potential for advancing single-cell analysis technologies through several innovative applications:
Single-cell sex determination methodologies:
Integration with single-cell RNA sequencing:
Use RPS4Y1 antibodies conjugated to cell-hashing oligonucleotides
Enable simultaneous protein detection and transcriptome analysis
Methodology:
Label cells with RPS4Y1 antibody-oligo conjugates
Process through standard single-cell RNA-seq workflows
Bioinformatically identify male cells based on antibody tags
Applications:
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) applications:
Microfluidic isolation of rare cells:
Circulating fetal cell isolation:
Develop microfluidic chips with immobilized anti-RPS4Y1 antibodies
Capture male fetal cells from maternal blood circulation
Methodology:
Flow maternal blood through antibody-coated microchannels
Capture male fetal cells via RPS4Y1 binding
Release and recover cells for downstream genetic analysis
Advantages:
Rare cell detection in mixed populations:
Spatial transcriptomics integration:
In situ hybridization methods:
Combine RPS4Y1 antibody staining with spatial transcriptomics
Map sex-specific gene expression within tissue architecture
Methodology:
Perform RPS4Y1 immunofluorescence to identify male cells
Overlay with spatial transcriptomic data
Generate sex-segregated spatial gene expression maps
Applications:
Technical considerations for single-cell applications:
Antibody optimization:
Signal amplification strategies:
These emerging applications position RPS4Y1 antibodies as valuable tools for advancing single-cell analysis technologies, particularly in contexts where cell sex determination provides crucial biological information .
Research on RPS4Y1 and the continued development of specific antibodies opens several promising therapeutic avenues:
Targeting endothelial dysfunction in male-specific disease patterns:
Therapeutic rationale:
Intervention strategies:
Develop RPS4Y1 expression modulators (small molecules, antisense oligonucleotides)
Target the p38 MAPK pathway activated by RPS4Y1
Design male-specific therapeutic approaches for diabetic vascular complications
Research methodology:
Non-invasive prenatal diagnostics:
Clinical application:
Develop antibody-based microfluidic devices for isolating male fetal cells
Apply to prenatal diagnosis of X-linked genetic disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
Advantage: Avoids risks associated with invasive procedures
Technical approach:
Sex-specific ribosome targeting:
Novel therapeutic concept:
RPS4Y1-containing ribosomes may have subtly different translation properties
This creates potential for male-specific translational inhibitors
Such compounds could selectively affect protein synthesis in male cells
Research methodology:
Immunotherapy approaches:
Targeted immunotherapy concept:
RPS4Y1 represents a male-specific antigen expressed in multiple tissues
Could potentially serve as a target for male-specific cell elimination
Research directions:
Biomarker development:
Diagnostic applications:
RPS4Y1 detection in liquid biopsies as indicator of male cell presence
Applications in:
Monitoring response to therapy in male patients
Detecting microchimerism
Assessing fetal-maternal cell trafficking
Methodological approach:
These therapeutic directions highlight the translational potential of RPS4Y1 research beyond basic science applications, particularly for sex-specific disease interventions and diagnostic technologies .