tbb-4 Antibody
Description
Target Overview: TBB-4 Protein
TBB-4 is a β-tubulin isotype with distinct expression patterns across species:
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In C. elegans: TBB-4 is expressed in ciliated sensory neurons and contributes to axonemal microtubule stability. It shows inefficient incorporation into mitotic spindles, suggesting specialized roles in sensory neuron function .
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In Humans: The homologous protein, TUBB4A (tubulin beta 4A class IVa), is implicated in neurodevelopment and microtubule dynamics. Mutations in TUBB4A are linked to neurological disorders like hypomyelinating leukodystrophy .
Key Findings in C. elegans
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Expression Localization: TBB-4 is enriched in ciliated neuron precursors and axonemes, with expression initiating during embryogenesis .
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Functional Role: Collaborates with MAPH-9 to stabilize axonemal microtubule doublets, critical for sensory neuron integrity .
Relevance in Human Studies
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Neurological Disorders: TUBB4A mutations disrupt microtubule networks, leading to impaired neuronal myelination .
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Diagnostic Potential: Anti-β-tubulin antibodies (e.g., anti-TBB5 in autoimmune hepatitis) highlight tubulin’s immunogenic role, though TBB-4-specific autoantibodies remain underexplored .
Comparative Analysis of β-Tubulin Isotypes
| Isotype | Species | Expression Site | Functional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBB-4 | C. elegans | Ciliated sensory neurons | Axonemal stability, sensory signaling |
| TUBB4A | Human/Mouse | Neurons, glial cells | Microtubule dynamics, neurodevelopment |
Technical Considerations
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Cross-Reactivity: Anti-TBB4A antibodies may require validation in species-specific contexts due to sequence variations .
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Limitations: No commercial images or in vivo functional data are publicly available for A05184, necessitating user validation .
Future Directions
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Mechanistic Studies: Explore TBB-4’s role in microtubule-regulated processes like intracellular transport.
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Therapeutic Targets: Investigate TUBB4A mutations in neurological diseases for drug development.
Product Specs
Constituents: 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4
Target Background
- Continuous transport of sub-stoichiometric quantities of these TBB-4/TBA-5 subunits by the kinesin-2 dependent intraflagellar transport machinery maintains sensory cilia at their steady-state length. PMID: 21642982
Q&A
Here’s a structured, research-focused FAQ for TBB-4/TBB5 antibodies based on current scientific literature and patents:
How to validate TBB-4 antibody specificity in experimental models?
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Methodology:
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Perform Western blotting using recombinant human TBB5 expressed in E. coli or CHO cells (as in autoimmune liver disease studies) .
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Include controls with lysates from HEK293 and HCC2429 cells to assess cross-reactivity with related isoforms (e.g., tubulin β-1/β-3) .
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Validate via immunoprecipitation with HL-60 or Chang liver cell-purified tubulin, comparing reactivity between autoimmune liver disease (AIH, PSC) and healthy samples .
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What are the primary applications of TBB-4 antibodies in disease research?
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Key applications:
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Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) diagnostics: Detect IgG anti-TBB5 in 68% of untreated AIH patients (vs. 3% in healthy controls) .
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Mechanistic studies: Investigate tubulin’s role in neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA)-associated pathologies .
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Kinase inhibition assays: Assess CDK9 inhibitor effects on BRD4 phosphorylation in cancer models (e.g., NUT midline carcinoma) .
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How to optimize TBB-4 antibody protocols for immunohistochemistry?
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Recommendations:
How to resolve contradictions in TBB-4 antibody reactivity across studies?
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Analysis framework:
What mechanistic insights can TBB-4 antibodies provide in transcriptional regulation?
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Experimental design:
How to address non-specific binding in TBB-4 antibody assays?
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Strategies:
Table 1: Prevalence of Anti-TBB5 Antibodies in Liver Diseases
| Disease Cohort | IgG Reactivity (%) | IgA Reactivity (%) | Key Association |
|---|---|---|---|
| Untreated AIH | 68 | 11 | Diagnostic marker |
| PSC with UC | 40 | 13 | Predicts PSC in UC patients |
| ALD | 18 | 39 | Alcohol-induced mucosal leakage |
Critical Considerations for Researchers
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Antibody validation: Always compare recombinant (e.g., E. coli-expressed) vs. native tubulin sources to confirm epitope integrity .
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Disease specificity: Anti-TBB5 IgG is AIH-predominant, while IgA correlates with ALD, suggesting distinct induction pathways .
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Kinase assays: Use recombinant CDK9-cyclin T1 complexes to study TBB-4’s role in BRD4 hyperphosphorylation .
