SLC12A7 (Solute Carrier Family 12 Member 7) is a transmembrane protein critical for electroneutral potassium-chloride cotransport. It plays roles in cellular ion homeostasis, renal function, and neuronal excitability . Overexpression of SLC12A7 has been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis in cancers such as adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC), ovarian cancer, and breast cancer .
The antibody enables visualization of SLC12A7 localization in cellular membranes. For example:
Detected membrane-associated SLC12A7 in A431 human epidermal carcinoma cells .
Validated in HEK293 cells transfected with SLC12A7, showing specific fluorescence signals compared to controls .
Used to assess SLC12A7 expression in tissue sections, particularly in cancer research:
Overexpression observed in ACC tumors with 5p13.33 amplifications, correlating with aggressive phenotypes .
Quantifies SLC12A7 levels in biological samples, supporting studies on its dysregulation in diseases .
Specificity: Recognizes recombinant human SLC12A7 (119 kDa) in Western blot .
Cross-reactivity: No significant cross-reactivity reported with non-human species .
Cancer Biomarker: Amplification of SLC12A7 occurs in 65–68% of ACCs and correlates with poor clinical outcomes .
Functional Studies: SLC12A7 promotes tumor cell migration and invasion via interactions with cytoskeletal proteins like ezrin .
| Conjugate | Applications | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| FITC | IF, IHC, ELISA | Cost-effective, broad compatibility |
| Alexa Fluor® 647 | Flow cytometry | Enhanced photostability |
| HRP | Western blot | High sensitivity for chemiluminescence |
SLC12A7, also known as KCC4 (potassium-chloride cotransporter 4), is a member of the solute carrier family 12 that functions as an electroneutral potassium-chloride cotransporter. This transmembrane protein plays crucial roles in:
Cell volume homeostasis
Inorganic ion homeostasis
Ion transmembrane transport
Protein kinase binding activity
SLC12A7 is part of protein-containing complexes and contributes to several physiological processes. Its study is important for understanding fundamental cellular functions and potential implications in disease states where ion transport mechanisms may be dysregulated .
The FITC-conjugated SLC12A7 antibody serves multiple research applications:
Flow cytometry: For quantitative analysis of SLC12A7 expression at the single-cell level
Fluorescence microscopy: For visualization of SLC12A7 localization within cells and tissues
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): For examining expression patterns in tissue sections
Fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (FLISA): For protein quantification in solution
The FITC conjugation provides direct detection capability without requiring secondary antibodies, streamlining experimental workflows and reducing potential sources of background .
When selecting a SLC12A7 antibody for research, consider these critical characteristics:
Host species: Typically rabbit for SLC12A7 antibodies, which affects compatibility with other antibodies in multiplex experiments
Isotype: Usually IgG, which influences binding properties and potential cross-reactivity
Immunogen: The specific region of SLC12A7 used to generate the antibody (e.g., N-terminal region, Met1-Ser1083)
Validation data: Flow cytometry validation comparing transfected versus non-transfected cells demonstrates specificity
Conjugation: FITC provides green fluorescence (excitation ~495nm, emission ~519nm), suitable for standard fluorescence detection systems
Purification method: Often purified by Protein A and peptide affinity chromatography to ensure specificity
FITC conjugation introduces several important considerations for researchers:
Direct detection: Eliminates need for secondary antibodies, reducing experiment time and potential background
Spectral properties: Emits green fluorescence compatible with standard FITC filter sets (excitation ~495nm, emission ~519nm)
Photostability: FITC is more susceptible to photobleaching than newer fluorophores like Alexa Fluors
pH sensitivity: Fluorescence intensity can be affected by environmental pH, requiring consistent buffer conditions
Antibody:fluorophore ratio: Degree of labeling affects brightness and potentially binding efficiency
Storage requirements: Requires protection from light to maintain fluorescence intensity
Application limitations: May be less suitable for applications requiring high photostability for extended imaging sessions
For optimal flow cytometry results with FITC-conjugated SLC12A7 antibody:
Sample Preparation Protocol:
Harvest cells (approximately 2×10⁶) by gentle dissociation
Centrifuge at 300×g for 5 minutes
Wash twice with ice-cold flow cytometry buffer (PBS + 2% FBS + 0.1% sodium azide)
For surface staining only: Resuspend cells in 100μL flow cytometry buffer
For intracellular staining: Fix and permeabilize cells according to manufacturer's protocol
Staining Protocol:
Add optimized concentration of FITC-conjugated SLC12A7 antibody (typically 5-10μg/mL)
Incubate for 30 minutes in the dark on ice
Wash twice with ice-cold flow cytometry buffer
Resuspend in 300μL flow cytometry buffer for analysis
Analyze using flow cytometer with 488nm laser and appropriate FITC detection filter (typically 525/20nm)
Essential Controls:
Unstained cells (for autofluorescence assessment)
FITC-conjugated isotype control (for non-specific binding)
Positive control (cells known to express SLC12A7 or transfected cells)
FMO (Fluorescence Minus One) controls for multicolor panels
Rigorous validation of SLC12A7 antibody specificity is crucial for reliable research outcomes:
Recommended Validation Approaches:
Genetic validation using transfected cells:
siRNA/shRNA knockdown validation:
Compare expression in cells with and without SLC12A7 knockdown
Quantify reduction in signal intensity corresponding to knockdown efficiency
Western blot correlation (using corresponding non-conjugated antibody):
Confirm antibody recognizes protein of expected molecular weight
Compare to molecular weight markers and published literature
Peptide competition assay:
Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide
Should observe dose-dependent reduction in specific staining
Tissue expression patterns:
Confirm staining patterns match known SLC12A7 tissue distribution
Compare with mRNA expression data from public databases
| Validation Method | Strengths | Limitations | Evaluation Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfection | Gold standard for specificity | Requires molecular biology facilities | Clear difference between transfected/non-transfected cells |
| Knockdown | Validates against endogenous protein | Variable knockdown efficiency | Signal reduction proportional to knockdown |
| Western blot | Confirms protein size | Requires non-conjugated antibody | Single band at expected molecular weight |
| Peptide competition | Direct test of epitope binding | Requires immunizing peptide | Dose-dependent signal reduction |
| Tissue expression | Physiologically relevant | Requires diverse tissue samples | Consistency with published expression data |
For successful immunohistochemistry with FITC-conjugated SLC12A7 antibody:
FFPE Tissue Protocol:
Deparaffinization and rehydration:
Xylene: 2 × 10 minutes
100% ethanol: 2 × 5 minutes
95%, 80%, 70% ethanol: 3 minutes each
Distilled water: 5 minutes
Antigen retrieval:
Heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer (pH 6.0) or EDTA buffer (pH 9.0)
Pressure cooker method: 125°C for 30-45 seconds, then 90°C for 10 minutes
Allow to cool to room temperature (approximately 20 minutes)
Permeabilization (if targeting intracellular domain):
0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 in PBS for 10 minutes
Wash 3 × 5 minutes with PBS
Blocking:
10% normal serum (from species other than antibody host) + 1% BSA in PBS
Incubate 1 hour at room temperature in humid chamber
Primary antibody incubation:
Apply FITC-conjugated SLC12A7 antibody (optimized concentration, typically 1-10 μg/mL)
Incubate overnight at 4°C in humidified chamber protected from light
Wash 3 × 5 minutes with PBS
Counterstaining:
Apply DAPI nuclear counterstain (1 μg/mL) for 5 minutes
Wash 3 × 5 minutes with PBS
Mounting:
Mount with anti-fade mounting medium specifically formulated for fluorescence
Seal edges of coverslip with nail polish or commercial sealant
Store slides at 4°C protected from light
Important optimization considerations:
Titrate antibody to determine optimal concentration
Test multiple antigen retrieval methods
Include positive and negative control tissues
Consider autofluorescence quenching steps for tissues with high natural fluorescence
Designing successful multiplex experiments requires strategic planning:
Fluorophore Selection Strategy:
| Fluorophore | Excitation (nm) | Emission (nm) | Compatibility with FITC-SLC12A7 | Best Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAPI | 358 | 461 | Excellent (nuclear counterstain) | Nuclear identification |
| FITC | 495 | 519 | Primary antibody (SLC12A7) | Target protein detection |
| Cy3/PE | 550 | 570 | Good (minimal spectral overlap) | Co-expression markers |
| Alexa Fluor 647/APC | 650 | 668 | Excellent (wide separation) | Low-abundance targets |
Protocol Optimization Steps:
Panel design:
Assign fluorophores based on target abundance (brightest fluorophores for lowest-expressed targets)
Consider compensation requirements for flow cytometry
Test antibodies individually before combining
Staining sequence optimization:
Determine optimal order of antibody application
Consider sequential staining with intermediate fixation steps
Test for potential antibody cross-reactivity
Acquisition settings:
Optimize PMT voltages or exposure times for each channel
Set up proper compensation or spectral unmixing
Use single-stained controls for each fluorophore
Analysis approaches:
Use appropriate gating strategies for flow cytometry
Apply spectral unmixing algorithms for microscopy
Quantify co-localization using specialized software
Application examples:
Co-localization of SLC12A7 with other ion transporters
Analysis of SLC12A7 expression in specific cell populations identified by lineage markers
Correlation of SLC12A7 expression with activation or functional markers
Researchers frequently encounter these challenges when working with FITC-conjugated antibodies:
| Challenge | Potential Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Weak signal | Insufficient antibody concentration, Low target expression, Photobleaching | Increase antibody concentration, Optimize exposure settings, Use anti-fade reagents, Consider signal amplification methods |
| High background | Non-specific binding, Autofluorescence, Inadequate blocking | Optimize blocking conditions, Include adequate controls, Try different blocking reagents (BSA, normal serum, commercial blockers), Consider autofluorescence quenching |
| Photobleaching | Extended light exposure, Suboptimal mounting medium | Minimize exposure during preparation and imaging, Use specialized anti-fade mounting media, Consider alternative more photostable fluorophores |
| pH sensitivity | Buffer variations affecting FITC fluorescence | Maintain consistent pH in all buffers (optimally pH 7.4-8.0), Standardize all solutions |
| Inconsistent results | Antibody degradation, Variable sample preparation | Aliquot antibody to avoid freeze-thaw cycles, Store protected from light, Standardize all protocols, Include positive controls in each experiment |
Critical optimization steps:
Titrate antibody to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio
Test fixation and permeabilization protocols if targeting internal epitopes
Evaluate multiple blocking reagents to minimize background
Compare different antigen retrieval methods for tissue sections
For accurate quantification of SLC12A7 expression:
Flow Cytometry Quantification:
Relative quantification:
Calculate median fluorescence intensity (MFI)
Determine staining index: (Sample MFI - Isotype control MFI) / Standard deviation of isotype control
Report percentage of positive cells above threshold set with isotype control
Absolute quantification:
Use calibration beads with known quantities of FITC molecules
Generate standard curve relating fluorescence intensity to molecule number
Convert sample fluorescence to molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome (MESF)
Microscopy Quantification:
Image acquisition standardization:
Use identical exposure settings across all samples
Include fluorescence standards in each imaging session
Apply flat-field correction for uniform illumination
Analysis approaches:
Measure integrated density or mean fluorescence intensity of regions of interest
Subtract background from areas without specific staining
Normalize to cell number using nuclear counterstain
Apply threshold-based segmentation for automated analysis
Standardization considerations:
Always include positive and negative controls
Maintain consistent instrument settings
Verify linearity of detection range
Proper storage and handling are critical for maintaining antibody performance:
Storage Recommendations:
Temperature:
Long-term: Store at -20°C in small aliquots
Short-term (up to 1 month): Store at 2-8°C
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Light protection:
Store in amber vials or wrapped in aluminum foil
Minimize exposure to light during all handling steps
Work under reduced ambient lighting when possible
Buffer conditions:
Store in manufacturer's recommended buffer (typically PBS with stabilizing proteins)
Ensure buffer contains appropriate preservatives (typically 0.09% sodium azide)
Maintain recommended pH (typically 7.2-7.4)
Handling Best Practices:
Aliquot stock antibody upon receipt to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Centrifuge vial briefly before opening to collect liquid at bottom
Use clean pipette tips for each handling
Return to appropriate storage conditions immediately after use
Document date of receipt, aliquoting, and usage
Periodically test performance with positive control samples
Proper interpretation of flow cytometry data requires systematic analysis:
Gating Strategy:
Apply FSC/SSC gating to identify intact cells and exclude debris
Use viability dye to exclude dead cells (critical for accurate interpretation)
For adherent cells, apply doublet discrimination using FSC-H vs FSC-A
Set positive/negative boundaries using isotype and unstained controls
Data Analysis Framework:
Qualitative analysis:
Determine if expression pattern is unimodal, bimodal, or multimodal
Compare histogram overlays between experimental and control samples
Assess shifts in fluorescence intensity relative to controls
Quantitative analysis:
Calculate percent positive cells above threshold
Determine median fluorescence intensity (MFI) for positive populations
Calculate fold change in MFI relative to controls
Apply appropriate statistical tests for group comparisons
Example interpretation table:
| Sample | % SLC12A7+ | MFI | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isotype control | <2% | 150 | Background staining level |
| Negative cell line | 3-5% | 180 | Minimal/no expression |
| SLC12A7 transfected | >90% | 1500 | High expression |
| Test sample (weak) | 25% | 350 | Low to moderate expression |
| Test sample (strong) | 75% | 950 | Strong expression |
This approach allows for standardized reporting of SLC12A7 expression across experiments and samples .
Antibody-based techniques offer valuable insights into SLC12A7 function:
Protein Localization Studies:
Subcellular localization:
Use confocal microscopy with FITC-conjugated SLC12A7 antibody and organelle markers
Examine redistribution following stimuli or stress conditions
Quantify plasma membrane versus intracellular distribution
Tissue expression mapping:
Apply immunohistochemistry across diverse tissue types
Correlate expression with physiological function
Compare normal versus pathological tissue samples
Functional Studies:
Co-localization with interaction partners:
Combine FITC-SLC12A7 antibody with antibodies against known or suspected interaction partners
Quantify degree of co-localization using Pearson's or Mander's coefficients
Examine changes in co-localization following experimental manipulations
Internalization and trafficking studies:
Use antibody to track SLC12A7 internalization following stimulation
Quantify surface versus internalized protein over time
Correlate with functional readouts of ion transport
Expression correlation with phenotypes:
Stratify samples based on SLC12A7 expression levels
Correlate with cellular phenotypes or disease markers
Develop expression-based classification systems
These approaches can provide significant insights into how SLC12A7 contributes to cellular physiology and potential pathological mechanisms .
While the provided search results don't offer specific details about SLC12A7 in disease, researchers can employ several strategies to investigate potential relationships:
Disease Association Studies:
Expression analysis in disease tissues:
Compare SLC12A7 levels between normal and diseased tissues using FITC-conjugated antibody
Correlate expression with disease severity or progression
Examine subcellular localization changes in disease states
Genetic correlation studies:
Analyze relationship between SLC12A7 genetic variants and protein expression
Use antibody-based methods to quantify protein levels in samples with different genotypes
Correlate expression with functional outcomes
Therapeutic response biomarkers:
Monitor SLC12A7 expression changes following treatment
Determine if baseline expression predicts treatment response
Investigate potential as a companion diagnostic marker
Mechanistic Investigations:
Pathway analysis:
Functional consequence assessment:
Correlate SLC12A7 expression levels with ion transport activity
Investigate relationship with cell survival under stress conditions
Examine impact on cellular processes like migration or proliferation
While direct information about SLC12A7 therapeutic development isn't provided in the search results, researchers can consider these emerging approaches based on related research:
Potential Research Directions:
Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development:
Similar to the anti-SLC3A2 ADC described in result , researchers could explore SLC12A7 as an ADC target
FITC-conjugated antibodies could help screen for antibody clones with optimal internalization properties
Flow cytometry with the FITC-conjugated antibody would help determine target expression in potential disease models
Diagnostic applications:
Develop standardized protocols for SLC12A7 detection in clinical samples
Establish expression thresholds for disease classification
Create multiplex panels incorporating SLC12A7 with other diagnostic markers
Functional antibody development:
Screen for antibodies that modulate SLC12A7 function (agonist or antagonist activity)
Investigate potential therapeutic applications of function-modifying antibodies
Use FITC-conjugated versions for rapid screening and characterization
Companion diagnostic development:
Establish SLC12A7 as a predictive biomarker for response to specific therapies
Standardize detection methods for clinical implementation
Develop quantitative thresholds for treatment decisions
By leveraging well-characterized antibodies like the FITC-conjugated SLC12A7 antibody, researchers can accelerate these emerging research directions and potentially uncover new therapeutic opportunities .