The At2g45070 gene encodes SEC61β1, part of the SEC61 translocon that facilitates co-translational protein translocation into the ER . Structural features:
Protein structure: SEC61β1 is a tail-anchored (TA) membrane protein .
Complex role: Partners with SEC61γ and SEC61α to form the core translocon .
Functional homolog: Shares evolutionary conservation with yeast and mammalian SEC61β subunits .
Membrane fractionation: Used to quantify SEC61β1 in ER-enriched fractions, revealing reduced SYP123 (a SNARE protein) levels in Atget1 and Atget3a mutants .
Interaction mapping: Identified via co-immunoprecipitation with SEC61γ (At5g50460) and other translocon components .
Phenotypic correlation: Arabidopsis lines lacking functional SEC61β1 show compromised root hair development, suggesting disrupted protein trafficking .
Cross-reactivity risks: Studies on analogous antibodies (e.g., angiotensin II AT2 receptor antibodies) highlight widespread nonspecific binding in Western blots and immunocytochemistry .
Critical validation steps:
GET pathway interaction: SEC61β1 abundance in membranes is reduced in Atget1 mutants, linking GET-mediated TA protein targeting to translocon stability .
Transcriptional regulation: SEC61β1 mRNA levels decrease in stress conditions, suggesting feedback mechanisms .
Here’s a structured collection of FAQs tailored for researchers working with the At2g45070 antibody, synthesized from peer-reviewed studies and technical guidelines:
Methodological answer: Always include:
Knockout/knockdown controls: Validate specificity by comparing wild-type and At2g45070-deficient samples (e.g., CRISPR mutants) .
Secondary antibody-only controls: Rule out nonspecific binding.
Tissue/cell-type specificity controls: Test antibody reactivity in tissues with known At2g45070 expression (e.g., Arabidopsis endosperm) .
Methodological answer:
Gel electrophoresis: Use 10–12% SDS-PAGE to resolve the target protein (~50–60 kDa, depending on post-translational modifications) .
Blocking: 5% nonfat milk in TBST for 1 hr to reduce background.
Antibody dilution: Start with 1:1,000 dilution in blocking buffer; adjust based on signal-to-noise ratios .
Analysis framework:
Assay comparison: Compare results across platforms (e.g., ELISA vs. Western blot) to identify platform-specific biases .
Temporal dynamics: Account for time-dependent antibody decay (e.g., pseudovirus neutralization assays show shorter half-lives than binding assays) .
Quantitative normalization: Use internal reference proteins (e.g., actin) to standardize signal intensity .
Methodology:
Validation strategy:
Critical variables:
| Factor | Impact on Detectability | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Assay platform | Roche N-assay vs. Ortho S-assay | Use spike-targeting assays |
| Disease severity | Higher titers in severe infection | Stratify cohorts by severity |
| Time post-infection | Antibody decay rate (~96–925 days) | Optimize sampling intervals |
Troubleshooting workflow: