TBCB Antibody is an immunoglobulin developed to detect and study the TBCB protein (UniProt ID: Q99426), a chaperone involved in α-tubulin folding and microtubule assembly . Microtubules are essential for cell division, intracellular transport, and maintaining cell shape, making TBCB a protein of interest in cancer and neurodegenerative disease research.
A 2023 study analyzed TBCB expression in AML patients and found:
Western Blot: Clear detection of TBCB in human cell lines (HeLa, A431) and rodent tissues .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Strong staining in paraffin-embedded human kidney tissues .
TBCB (Tubulin Cofactor B) is a protein involved in microtubule dynamics and cell division, playing a crucial role in maintaining cell structure and function. TBCB antibodies serve as essential tools for detecting and analyzing this protein in various cell types, contributing significantly to studies in cell biology and cancer research . The high specificity of these antibodies allows researchers to investigate the intricate relationships between TBCB expression, microtubule regulation, and various disease states.
Unlike antibodies targeting structural components like tubulin directly, TBCB antibodies target a regulatory cofactor that influences microtubule assembly. This provides researchers with the ability to study not just the cytoskeletal structure itself, but the regulatory machinery controlling its dynamics. TBCB antibodies, such as the rabbit polyclonal antibody CAB13248, have been specifically validated for human samples, making them particularly valuable for translational research between cellular models and clinical investigations .
For western blot applications using TBCB antibodies such as CAB13248, researchers should optimize several key parameters:
Sample preparation: Use standardized cell lysis protocols that preserve protein integrity
Protein loading: 20-40 μg total protein per lane is typically appropriate
Dilution ratios: Start with 1:1000 dilution and adjust based on signal intensity
Incubation conditions: Primary antibody incubation at 4°C overnight often yields optimal results
Detection systems: HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies with enhanced chemiluminescence detection provide suitable sensitivity
The high specificity of rabbit-generated TBCB antibodies for human samples makes them particularly valuable for western blot applications investigating human cell lines or tissue samples .
Validation of TBCB antibody specificity should include:
Positive controls: Known TBCB-expressing cell lines (e.g., HeLa, HEK293)
Negative controls: TBCB-knockdown or knockout samples
Pre-absorption tests: Pre-incubating the antibody with recombinant TBCB protein
Cross-reactivity assessment: Testing against related tubulin cofactors
Molecular weight verification: Confirming detection at the expected molecular weight
These validation steps ensure that observed signals genuinely represent TBCB protein rather than non-specific binding, which is crucial for meaningful interpretation of results.
TBCB antibodies provide valuable tools for investigating the role of microtubule regulation in neurodegenerative conditions. Methodological approaches include:
Immunohistochemistry of brain tissue sections to compare TBCB expression patterns between healthy and diseased samples
Co-immunoprecipitation studies to identify altered interactions between TBCB and other cytoskeletal regulators
Live-cell imaging combined with immunofluorescence to track TBCB dynamics in neuronal models
Proximity ligation assays to detect changes in TBCB-tubulin interactions in disease states
Understanding TBCB function is vital for unraveling mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders, as microtubule dysregulation is implicated in conditions like Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis .
TBCB antibodies serve as critical tools in cancer research through several methodological applications:
Expression profiling across cancer cell lines to identify correlations between TBCB levels and malignant phenotypes
Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor biopsies to establish prognostic biomarker potential
Functional studies using paired antibody detection and genetic manipulation to determine causative roles
Mechanistic investigations of TBCB's influence on mitotic spindle formation and cancer cell division
These approaches help elucidate TBCB's role in cancer pathogenesis, potentially revealing novel therapeutic targets within the microtubule regulatory network .
When using TBCB antibodies for immunofluorescence, researchers should address these common challenges:
High background signal:
Optimize blocking conditions (try 5% BSA or 10% normal serum)
Increase washing steps (4-5 washes of 5-10 minutes each)
Titrate antibody concentration to minimize non-specific binding
Weak or absent signal:
Test different fixation methods (paraformaldehyde vs. methanol)
Try antigen retrieval techniques if using fixed tissues
Extend primary antibody incubation time (overnight at 4°C)
Inconsistent results:
Standardize cell culture conditions across experiments
Maintain consistent imaging parameters
Include positive controls in each experimental run
The high specificity of rabbit-generated TBCB antibodies makes them valuable for immunofluorescence applications, particularly in human samples .
Variations in TBCB detection patterns may reflect:
Biological factors:
Cell cycle-dependent expression (higher during mitosis)
Stress-induced alterations in microtubule dynamics
Differentiation-related changes in cytoskeletal organization
Technical factors:
Antibody lot-to-lot variations
Differences in sample preparation techniques
Detection system sensitivity thresholds
Researchers should systematically test each variable while keeping others constant to identify the source of variation and implement appropriate controls for meaningful data interpretation.
While TBCB antibodies target a host cell protein involved in cytoskeletal regulation , antibodies in infectious disease research typically target pathogen-specific proteins. For example, in tuberculosis research, antibodies target Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins like PstS1 . Key methodological differences include:
Parameter | TBCB Antibodies | Infectious Disease Antibodies (e.g., anti-PstS1) |
---|---|---|
Target origin | Host protein | Pathogen protein |
Primary research applications | Cell biology, cancer research | Diagnosis, vaccine development, pathogen inhibition |
Validation methods | Western blot, knockout controls | Bacterial growth inhibition assays, epitope mapping |
Experimental systems | Cell cultures, tissue samples | Whole blood assays, animal infection models |
Therapeutic potential | Limited (intracellular target) | Direct (accessible extracellular targets) |
The methodological approaches differ significantly, with infectious disease antibodies often evaluated for their direct inhibitory effects on pathogens, as demonstrated with anti-PstS1 antibodies that reduced M. tuberculosis levels by 50% in mouse models .
Structural studies of antibody-antigen complexes, such as those determining crystal structures of antibodies bound to bacterial proteins at 2.1Å and 2.4Å resolution , provide valuable insights for TBCB antibody design:
Epitope identification: Crystal structures reveal specific binding sites, allowing for more precise antibody targeting
Binding optimization: Understanding interaction interfaces enables engineering of higher-affinity antibodies
Cross-reactivity prediction: Structural information helps predict and minimize unwanted binding to related proteins
Functional correlation: Structure-function relationships can explain why some antibodies demonstrate functional effects while others merely bind without consequence
These principles, derived from infectious disease antibody research, can be applied to develop more effective research tools for studying TBCB and its role in cellular processes.
TBCB antibodies could enhance single-cell analysis through several methodological approaches:
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) integration:
Metal-conjugated TBCB antibodies could enable simultaneous detection with dozens of other cellular markers
This would allow correlation of TBCB expression with cell cycle status, differentiation state, and signaling pathway activation
Spatial transcriptomic combinations:
Pairing TBCB immunolabeling with spatial transcriptomics could map cytoskeletal regulation patterns within tissue architecture
This would reveal microenvironmental influences on TBCB function
Single-cell proteomics:
TBCB antibodies could serve as capture reagents for single-cell Western blot or proteomic technologies
This would enable assessment of TBCB expression heterogeneity within seemingly homogeneous populations
These applications would significantly advance our understanding of how TBCB regulation varies at the single-cell level, potentially revealing new insights into cell division heterogeneity and cytoskeletal dynamics .
While current research focuses on TBCB antibodies as laboratory tools , their potential as biomarkers warrants investigation through several methodological approaches:
Expression correlation studies:
Systematic analysis of TBCB levels across tissue microarrays from various disease states
Correlation of expression patterns with patient outcomes and treatment responses
Liquid biopsy applications:
Development of sensitive ELISA or other immunoassays for detecting TBCB in circulating tumor cells or exosomes
Longitudinal monitoring to assess correlation with disease progression
Multiparameter biomarker panels:
Integration of TBCB detection with other cytoskeletal and cell cycle markers
Machine learning approaches to identify diagnostic or prognostic signatures
Understanding TBCB's role in cell division and cytoskeletal organization provides the foundation for exploring its potential as a biomarker for conditions involving these cellular processes .
Tubulin Folding Cofactor B (TBCB) is a protein that plays a crucial role in the proper folding and assembly of tubulin, which is a key component of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Microtubules are essential for various cellular processes, including cell division, intracellular transport, and maintenance of cell shape.
The TBCB gene, also known as CKAP1 (Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein 1), encodes the TBCB protein. This gene is located on chromosome 19 in humans . The TBCB protein is involved in the folding of alpha-tubulin intermediates after their interaction with cytosolic chaperonin, leading to the formation of properly folded tubulin heterodimers .
TBCB binds to alpha-tubulin folding intermediates and is involved in the regulation of tubulin heterodimer dissociation . It may also function as a negative regulator of axonal growth . The protein is part of a group of cofactors (TBCA-TBCE) that play a role in microtubule biosynthesis . Specifically, TBCB enhances the folding of alpha-tubulin and contributes to the polymerization of microtubules .
The mouse anti-human TBCB antibody is commonly used in research to study the expression and function of TBCB in various biological contexts. This antibody is suitable for applications such as Western Blot (WB), Immunoprecipitation (IP), Immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Immunocytochemistry (ICC) . It reacts with both mouse and human samples, making it a versatile tool for studying TBCB in different model systems .