SLFN9 belongs to the Schlafen protein family, which includes regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses. Recent studies suggest:
Functional overlap: Mouse Slfn9 shares orthologous functions with human SLFN11, influencing DNA damage repair and chemosensitivity in cancer cells .
Mechanistic role: SLFN9 accelerates stalled replication fork degradation and reduces RAD51/RPA foci formation after DNA damage, mirroring SLFN11’s activity .
Specificity: Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry are standard validation methods .
Epitope Accessibility: Antibodies like 6E11 (anti-SLAMF9) show higher affinity for denatured antigens, critical for IHC applications .
HRP-conjugated antibodies enable high-sensitivity detection in:
Western Blotting: Visualized via chemiluminescent substrates (e.g., TMB, DAB) .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Used to map SLFN9 expression in tumor-associated macrophages .
Functional Studies: SLFN9’s role in DNA damage response has been analyzed using knockout/knockin models complemented by antibody-based assays .
Species Specificity: Mouse SLFN9 antibodies may not cross-react with human SLFN11 due to evolutionary divergence .
Buffer Interference: Tris or glycine buffers reduce conjugation efficiency, necessitating buffer exchange .
KEGG: mmu:237886
UniGene: Mm.270253
Slfn9 (Schlafen family member 9) is an endoribonuclease that cleaves tRNAs and rRNAs . Recent research has established Slfn9 as an innate immune sensor for intracellular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), particularly those containing CGT motifs . In mice, Slfn9 functions as the homologue of human SLFN11, with both proteins playing critical roles in immune response pathways . The Slfn9 protein contributes to cytokine expression and cell death mechanisms following detection of pathogen-derived or endogenous ssDNA. This understanding is significant as it establishes CGT ssDNA and SLFN9 as a novel type of immunostimulatory nucleic acid and pattern recognition receptor, respectively .
Mouse Slfn9 shares orthologous functions with human SLFN11 despite the rapid diversification of the SLFN family members . Research demonstrates that:
Both mSLFN8/9 and hSLFN11 are recruited rapidly to microlaser-irradiated DNA damage tracks
Slfn8/9 expression can complement SLFN11 loss in human SLFN11−/− cells
Expression of either gene reduces growth rate to wild-type levels
Both partially restore sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents
Both accelerate stalled fork degradation and decrease RPA and RAD51 foci numbers after DNA damage
These functional similarities make mouse models viable for studying the biological roles of SLFN11, facilitating in vivo studies that might inform human disease understanding and therapeutic development .
Based on validated protocols, the Slfn9 Antibody, HRP conjugated performs optimally in:
| Application | Recommended Dilution | Validated Reactivity |
|---|---|---|
| ELISA | As per manufacturer | Mouse |
| Western Blot | 1:1000-1:5000 | Mouse |
Storage conditions significantly impact antibody performance:
Store at -20°C or -80°C upon receipt
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Buffer composition (50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4 with 0.03% Proclin 300 as preservative) maintains stability
When conducting experiments, proper controls should include:
Positive control: Mouse spleen or activated immune cells
Negative control: Samples from Slfn9 knockout mice (when available)
Isotype control: Rabbit IgG-HRP at equivalent concentration
When faced with unexpected results using Slfn9 antibody in immune cell studies, implement this systematic troubleshooting approach:
To investigate Slfn9's role in ssDNA sensing pathways:
Co-localization studies: Use Slfn9 antibody in immunofluorescence together with fluorescently labeled CGT-motif ssDNA to visualize binding interactions. Research has shown that CGT ODNs trigger cytosolic translocation of SLFN proteins and colocalize with cytosolic SLFN11 in human cells, with SLFN9 showing similar behavior in mouse cells .
Immunoprecipitation approaches:
Perform chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) using Slfn9 antibody to identify DNA binding sites
Couple with mass spectrometry to identify protein complexes formed during ssDNA sensing
Functional response measurement:
Mechanistic analysis:
The Slfn9 antibody is invaluable for cancer immunology research based on several key findings:
Tumor immune infiltration correlation: SLFN family members show significant correlations with tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), particularly:
Cancer prognostic potential: SLFN family proteins may serve as prognostic indicators in multiple cancers:
Therapeutic response prediction:
Research methodology using the antibody:
Use in immunohistochemistry to quantify Slfn9 expression in tumor sections
Employ for flow cytometry to analyze Slfn9 in tumor-infiltrating immune cells
Combine with immune cell markers to study correlations between Slfn9 expression and specific immune populations
When analyzing cross-species differences in Slfn9/SLFN11 detection:
Evolutionary context: The SLFN family has undergone rapid diversification, resulting in species-specific patterns:
Functional equivalence assessment:
Expression pattern differences:
Human SLFN11 expression varies across cancer types
Mouse Slfn9 expression may show tissue-specific patterns
Experimental design considerations:
Use species-specific antibodies (anti-mouse Slfn9 vs. anti-human SLFN11)
Include appropriate positive controls for each species
Consider developing targeted assays for orthologous functions rather than relying solely on protein detection
When facing contradictory data regarding Slfn9's immune functions:
Cell type specificity analysis:
Stimulation specificity verification:
Genetic validation approaches:
Utilize Slfn9 knockout models to confirm specificity
Employ gene silencing with targeted siRNAs
Use complementation experiments with wild-type and mutant Slfn9
Technical consideration matrix:
| Technical Factor | Assessment Method | Resolution Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Antibody specificity | Cross-reactivity testing | Use multiple antibody clones or epitopes |
| Sample preparation | Protein extraction efficiency | Compare multiple lysis methods |
| Signal detection | Dynamic range limitations | Employ multiple detection technologies |
| Experimental timing | Kinetic differences | Perform time-course experiments |
The Slfn9 antibody can advance immunotherapeutic research through:
Biomarker development:
Therapeutic target identification:
Mapping Slfn9-dependent pathways may reveal novel targets
Understanding how Slfn9 modulates immune responses could inform combination therapies
Resistance mechanism studies:
Translation to clinical applications:
Developing companion diagnostics for immunotherapies
Creating screening tools to identify patients likely to respond to specific treatments
To investigate Slfn9's structure-function relationships:
Domain-specific antibody application:
Mutation-function correlation studies:
Express mutant Slfn9 proteins with domain deletions or point mutations
Use antibodies to assess expression, stability, and localization
Correlate structural alterations with functional outcomes
Interaction network mapping:
Employ co-immunoprecipitation with Slfn9 antibody to identify binding partners
Use proximity labeling techniques coupled with antibody pulldown
Analyze how different structural elements contribute to protein-protein interactions
Dynamic structural changes visualization:
Study conformational changes upon ssDNA binding
Monitor translocation between nucleus and cytoplasm during immune activation
Assess oligomerization state under different cellular conditions