SP3 antibodies are widely used in biomedical research:
SP3 overexpression induces apoptosis through caspase-3/6-mediated cleavage, generating 60 kDa and 35 kDa fragments .
In HER2-positive breast cancer, SP3 antibody demonstrates superior specificity compared to CB11 (86.9% agreement with CISH) :
| Parameter | SP3 Antibody | CB11 Antibody |
|---|---|---|
| Specificity | 99.1% | 98% |
| Sensitivity | 52.3% | 52% |
| PPV | 96% | 92% |
SP3 antibody correlates strongly with HER2 gene amplification (23/24 SP3 3+ cases showed amplification) .
Reduces equivocal HER2 2+ classifications compared to polyclonal antibodies .
Post-Translational Regulation: Sumoylation at Lys-551 modulates SP3's nuclear localization and transcriptional activity .
Apoptosis Link: Cleaved SP3 fragments (CP1/CP2) correlate with caspase activation in resistant cancer clones .
Gene Regulation: Competes with SP1 to control genes involved in cell cycle, apoptosis, and angiogenesis .
SP3 antibody exists in two main forms with distinct applications. The first type (26584-1-AP) is a rabbit polyclonal antibody targeting the SP3 transcription factor, a 781 amino acid protein containing three C2H2-type zinc fingers that belongs to the Sp1 C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family . The second type is a rabbit monoclonal antibody directed against the extracellular domain of the HER2 receptor, primarily used in breast cancer diagnosis and research .
SP3 transcription factor antibody has been validated in multiple experimental systems, particularly for Western blotting applications in PC-3 cells, C2C12 cells, and COLO 320 cells . For HER2 receptor detection, SP3 antibody offers distinct advantages in membrane protein visualization compared to other commercially available antibodies.
According to validated product information, the SP3 antibody targeting the transcription factor (26584-1-AP) demonstrates confirmed reactivity with human and mouse samples . When designing experimental protocols, researchers should consider this species compatibility to ensure appropriate antibody-antigen binding specificity. Cross-reactivity testing with additional species may be required for applications beyond the validated reactivity profile.
For SP3 antibody targeting the transcription factor (26584-1-AP), the following dilution ranges have been experimentally validated:
| Application | Dilution Range |
|---|---|
| Western Blot (WB) | 1:500-1:1000 |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | 1:1000-1:4000 |
These dilution parameters should be considered starting points, as the manufacturer explicitly notes that optimal dilution is sample-dependent . Methodologically sound experimental design requires titration of the antibody in each specific testing system to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratios. For IHC applications, antigen retrieval with TE buffer pH 9.0 is recommended, though citrate buffer pH 6.0 may serve as an alternative in some experimental contexts .
SP3 antibody (26584-1-AP) exhibits greatest stability when stored at -20°C in its formulation buffer containing PBS with 0.02% sodium azide and 50% glycerol at pH 7.3 . Under these conditions, the antibody maintains functionality for one year post-shipment. Unlike many research antibodies, aliquoting is unnecessary for -20°C storage, which significantly simplifies laboratory reagent management. For the 20μl size preparations, the product contains 0.1% BSA as an additional stabilizing agent .
Comparative evaluation of SP3 versus CB11 antibody for HER2 detection demonstrated a statistically significant correlation (p<0.001) with an 86.9% concordance rate in a study of 190 breast carcinoma cases . The staining characteristics between these antibodies revealed important methodological differences:
| SP3 Antibody Characteristics | CB11 Antibody Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Strong complete membrane staining | Frequent non-specific cytoplasmic staining |
| Reduced background interference | Higher background signal |
| Lower interobserver variability | Greater interobserver variability |
When cases scored as negative/1+ were grouped and 2+ cases excluded, correlation remained strong with only four discordant cases identified . In a separate evaluation comparing SP3 with HercepTest, after excluding equivocal (2+) cases, concordance reached 97.6% (95% CI 94.0% to 99.3%) with κ=0.88 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.00) .
Research data demonstrates robust concordance between SP3 immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques:
With CISH (Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization) as reference:
23/24 (95.8%) of SP3 3+ cases showed gene amplification
97.3% of cases without gene amplification were SP3 negative
With FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) as reference:
Concordance in needle core biopsy specimens: 96% (95% CI 91.9% to 99.7%) with κ=0.89
Concordance in excisional biopsy specimens: 97% (95% CI 90.3% to 99.3%) with κ=0.84
These high concordance metrics establish SP3 as a reliable indicator of HER2 gene amplification status, validating its utility in research and diagnostic applications.
SP3 antibody for HER2 detection demonstrates exceptional specificity (99.1% with CISH as standard ; 100% with FISH as reference ) but moderate sensitivity (52.3% with CISH ; 78.3% with FISH ). This performance profile is influenced by several experimental and biological variables:
Epitope accessibility: The potential cleavage of HER2 with loss of the extracellular domain explains some false negative cases observed with SP3 . Since SP3 targets the extracellular domain, shedding of the binding site might lead to negative/1+ IHC classification despite gene amplification.
Tissue fixation parameters: Fixative type, duration, and pH significantly impact epitope preservation and antibody binding efficiency.
Antigen retrieval methodology: Optimization with TE buffer pH 9.0 or alternative citrate buffer pH 6.0 can significantly affect staining intensity and specificity .
Sample preparation variables: An 89% concordance rate between SP3 results in needle core biopsies versus excisional biopsies suggests sample preparation influences results .
The complete performance characteristics are summarized in the following table:
| Parameter | SP3 | CB11 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | 0.52 | 0.52 |
| Specificity | 0.99 | 0.98 |
| Positive Predictive Value | 0.96 | 0.92 |
| Negative Predictive Value | 0.84 | 0.93 |
SP3 belongs to a class of immunoreagents that combine advantageous properties of both mouse monoclonal antibodies and rabbit antisera . The specific advantages include:
Superior affinity and sensitivity: Rabbit-derived antibodies typically demonstrate 10-100 fold higher antigen affinity compared to mouse antibodies.
Enhanced specificity: Reduced cross-reactivity while maintaining high signal strength.
Recognition of epitopes that may be non-immunogenic in mice due to phylogenetic differences.
Improved signal-to-noise ratio: SP3 produces cleaner membrane staining with minimal cytoplasmic background compared to mouse monoclonal antibodies like CB11 .
Better tissue penetration properties: Molecular characteristics facilitate improved penetration into formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.
These properties make SP3 particularly valuable for detecting limited epitope presentation or in challenging tissue environments.
Protocol optimization for SP3 antibody across diverse experimental systems requires systematic adjustment of multiple parameters:
Antigen retrieval optimization: For IHC applications, comparative testing between TE buffer pH 9.0 and citrate buffer pH 6.0 to determine optimal epitope exposure for specific tissue types .
Titration analysis: While recommended dilutions provide starting points (1:500-1:1000 for WB; 1:1000-1:4000 for IHC), systematic titration series should be conducted to determine optimal concentration for each experimental system .
Incubation parameter modification: Adjusting time and temperature variables can enhance sensitivity while maintaining specificity in challenging tissues.
Detection system selection: Alternative detection methodologies may be necessary for tissues with high endogenous peroxidase or biotin levels.
Tissue-specific blocking optimization: Modification of blocking reagents can reduce background in high-autofluorescence tissues.
Cross-platform validation: The observed 89% concordance between SP3 results in needle core biopsies versus excisional biopsies highlights the importance of validating findings across different sample preparation methodologies .
Rigorous experimental design with SP3 antibody requires inclusion of multiple control conditions:
Positive control samples: For SP3 transcription factor antibody, PC-3 cells, C2C12 cells, or COLO 320 cells for Western blotting; mouse lung tissue or human ovary cancer tissue for IHC .
Negative control tissues: Samples with confirmed absence of target protein expression.
Isotype control: Non-specific rabbit IgG at equivalent concentration as SP3 antibody to assess non-specific binding.
Absorption control: Pre-incubation of antibody with target antigen should abolish specific staining.
Secondary antibody-only control: Omission of primary antibody to detect non-specific secondary antibody binding.
Loading controls for Western blotting: Housekeeping protein detection to ensure equal protein loading.
Reference standards: For HER2 detection, inclusion of cases with established HER2 status determined by FISH or CISH.
Implementation of this comprehensive control strategy enables distinction between specific and non-specific signals, validating experimental findings.
Presence of multiple isoforms
Post-translational modifications
Proteolytic processing
Protein-protein interactions altering electrophoretic mobility
When analyzing Western blot results, researchers should anticipate these molecular weight patterns and investigate aberrant banding patterns to determine whether they represent specific signal or experimental artifacts.
The SP3 transcription factor undergoes several post-translational modifications that significantly impact antibody detection and protein function:
SUMOylation: SP3 is sumoylated on all isoforms, with certain isoforms containing 2 distinct SUMOylation sites . This modification influences SP3 subcellular localization, directing it to the nuclear periphery and specific nuclear dots, including some localization in PML nuclear bodies .
Acetylation: SP3 is dynamically regulated through acetylation by histone acetyltransferase p300 and deacetylation by HDACs . These acetylation states may alter protein conformation and epitope accessibility.
Additional modifications: Phosphorylation and other modifications likely contribute to the observed molecular weight discrepancies between calculated (82 kDa) and experimentally observed (70 kDa, 115 kDa) masses .
These modifications explain the complex banding patterns observed in Western blotting and demonstrate why detection efficiency varies based on cellular context and functional state of the protein.
Evidence strongly supports SP3 as a reliable alternative to HercepTest in evaluating HER2 status in breast cancer specimens. The data shows:
High concordance (97.6%) between SP3 and HercepTest after excluding equivocal (2+) cases
Strong agreement with gene amplification methods: 96-97% concordance with FISH in both needle core and excisional biopsies
Excellent specificity (99-100%) for detecting HER2 overexpression/gene amplification
Research concludes that "SP3 is a reliable alternative to HercepTest in evaluating HER-2 status in breast cancer patients" and may serve as a valuable diagnostic tool in breast pathology with potential utility as an IHC biomarker in non-mammary malignancies as well.
Several biological and technical factors may explain discordances between SP3 antibody staining and molecular HER2 testing:
Extracellular domain shedding: Since SP3 targets the HER2 extracellular domain, proteolytic processing of this region results in negative staining despite gene amplification . This biological mechanism explains the moderate sensitivity (52.3-78.3%) contrasted with high specificity (99-100%) .
Tumor heterogeneity: Spatial variation in HER2 expression within tumors leads to sampling discrepancies between tissues used for IHC versus those analyzed by FISH/CISH.
Post-translational modifications affecting epitope accessibility.
Methodological variables: Fixation protocols, processing parameters, and staining techniques introduce technical variability.
Understanding these mechanisms is critical for accurate result interpretation in research and diagnostic applications.