TBL1XR1 facilitates the exchange of corepressors (e.g., NCOR/HDAC3) for coactivators in nuclear receptor signaling, enabling transcriptional activation . It also stabilizes β-catenin in Wnt signaling, promoting oncogenesis .
TBL1XR1 is overexpressed in multiple cancers, correlating with poor prognosis:
Knockout mice exhibit motor deficits (rotarod performance: 40% reduction, p < 0.01) and neural progenitor dysregulation .
Mechanism: TBL1XR1 deficiency disrupts MAPK signaling, reducing NSC proliferation by 30% (p < 0.05) and accelerating differentiation .
TBL1XR1 is an evolutionarily conserved F-box-like protein primarily involved in transcriptional regulation. It functions as an integral subunit of the NCoR (nuclear receptor corepressor) and SMRT (silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptors) complexes . While TBL1XR1 is predominantly localized in the nucleus, cytoplasmic localization has been observed in a minority of cases (approximately 5.6% or 4/72 cases in osteosarcoma tissues) . When performing immunocytochemistry or immunohistochemistry, expect strong nuclear staining with occasional cytoplasmic signal depending on cell type and physiological state. For optimal visualization, use appropriate nuclear and cytoplasmic markers as controls when assessing subcellular localization patterns.
TBL1XR1 monoclonal antibodies have been validated for multiple applications, with varying optimal dilutions:
For ChIP applications specifically, optimal results are achieved using 10 μl of antibody and 10 μg of chromatin (approximately 4 × 10^6 cells) per immunoprecipitation . When performing Western blot, the typical observed molecular weight ranges from 50-65 kDa, with the calculated molecular weight being 56 kDa .
Selection of the appropriate TBL1XR1 antibody clone depends on several research parameters:
Target region specificity: Different clones target distinct epitopes. For example, clone OTI2A8 recognizes the full-length TBL1XR1 , while other antibodies target specific amino acid regions (e.g., AA 81-178) .
Cross-reactivity requirements: Consider whether you need species cross-reactivity. Some clones show reactivity to human, mouse, and rat samples , while others are more species-restricted .
Application compatibility: Verify validation status for your specific application. For instance, clone D4J9C is validated for WB, IP, and ChIP , while clone 4F3-A8-D9 is validated for WB, IHC-P, and ICC/IF .
Epitope accessibility: For complex formation studies, select antibodies targeting regions outside known protein-protein interaction domains to avoid epitope masking.
Always perform validation in your experimental system using appropriate positive and negative controls, even with pre-validated antibodies.
TBL1XR1 typically appears at 50-65 kDa on Western blots, with the calculated molecular weight being 56 kDa . Variations in observed molecular weight may occur due to post-translational modifications or tissue-specific isoforms.
For optimal detection in Western blotting:
Sample preparation: Use RIPA buffer with protease inhibitors for extraction from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions.
Loading controls: GAPDH is commonly used as shown in multiple studies .
Dilution optimization: Begin with manufacturer-recommended dilutions (typically 1:500-1:2000) and adjust as needed .
Detection conditions: For enhanced sensitivity, overnight primary antibody incubation at 4°C is recommended.
Validation approach: Confirm specificity using knockdown or knockout controls as demonstrated in TBL1XR1 siRNA experiments in H1703 cells .
When analyzing TBL1XR1 expression across different cell lines, significant variations have been observed. For instance, osteosarcoma cell lines (MG63, U2-OS, 143B, HOS) show elevated TBL1XR1 levels compared to osteoblast cells (hFOB) at both protein and mRNA levels, with U2-OS and 143B exhibiting the highest expression .
Rigorous validation is essential for reliable TBL1XR1 expression analysis:
Positive tissue controls: Mouse and rat brain tissues, and MCF-7 cells have been validated as positive controls for TBL1XR1 expression .
Genetic manipulation controls:
Antibody controls:
Isotype control (matching the host species and isotype of your primary antibody)
Secondary antibody-only control to assess non-specific binding
Subcellular localization controls:
A complete validation panel includes both technical controls (antibody specificity) and biological controls (known expression patterns) to ensure reproducible results.
For optimal immunohistochemical detection of TBL1XR1:
Antigen retrieval: Heat-mediated antigen retrieval with Tris/EDTA buffer at pH 9.0 has been successfully employed prior to staining protocols . This step is crucial as inadequate epitope exposure is a common cause of false-negative results.
Section preparation: Use 4-5 μm thick formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections mounted on positively charged slides.
Blocking parameters: Block with 5-10% normal serum from the same species as the secondary antibody for 1 hour at room temperature to minimize background.
Antibody dilution: Begin testing with a 1:100 dilution for IHC-P applications , adjusting based on signal intensity and specificity.
Visualization system: HRP Polymer for Rabbit IgG has shown excellent results with TBL1XR1 rabbit monoclonal antibodies .
Counterstaining: Light hematoxylin counterstaining allows clear visualization of nuclear TBL1XR1 expression without obscuring specific staining.
Expression interpretation: In osteosarcoma tissues, high TBL1XR1 expression has been observed in 74.5% (53/72) of cases, predominantly in the nucleus, with only 5.6% (4/72) showing cytoplasmic staining .
To study TBL1XR1's interactions within the NCoR/SMRT complex:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP):
Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA):
Combine TBL1XR1 antibody with antibodies against potential interactors
Visualize protein interactions at endogenous levels with subcellular resolution
Quantify interaction events per cell to assess interaction frequency
ChIP-reChIP:
Interpreting complex formation data requires consideration of regulatory stimulus effects. For example, TBL1XR1 knockout in mice affects NCOR complex stability and disrupts MAPK cascade regulation , suggesting stimulus-dependent complex dynamics.
To investigate TBL1XR1's oncogenic functions:
Expression correlation with clinical outcomes:
High TBL1XR1 expression correlates with poor prognosis in several cancers including osteosarcoma
Multivariate cox regression analysis identified TBL1XR1 as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio: 0.366; 95% CI: 0.349-0.460; p=0.021)
Variable | Hazard ratio | 95% confidence interval | P value |
---|---|---|---|
Tumor size (≥5cm vs <5cm) | 1.780 | 1.238-1.872 | 0.015 |
Metastasis (present vs absent) | 1.427 | 1.344-2.322 | 0.013 |
Enneking staging (IA+IIA vs IIB+IIIA) | 1.322 | 1.658-2.763 | 0.001 |
TBL1XR1 expression (high vs low) | 0.366 | 0.349-0.460 | 0.021 |
Functional assays following genetic manipulation:
Proliferation: CCK-8 assay reveals TBL1XR1 knockdown significantly suppresses proliferation in osteosarcoma and lung SCC cells
Migration: Scratch wound healing and transwell assays demonstrate TBL1XR1 downregulation inhibits migration
Invasion: Matrigel-coated transwell assays show reduced invasion capability with TBL1XR1 knockdown
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT): TBL1XR1 modulates EMT marker expression (E-cadherin, ZEB1, SNAI1) through the TGF-β/Smad pathway
Mechanistic studies:
In vivo models:
Xenograft models with TBL1XR1-manipulated cancer cells
Analysis of tumor growth, metastasis, and survival outcomes
For comprehensive analysis, combine multiple approaches to establish causality between TBL1XR1 expression and cancer hallmarks.
For optimal TBL1XR1 ChIP experiments:
Protocol optimization:
Controls:
Positive control: ChIP with histone H3 antibody
Negative control: ChIP with non-specific IgG
Input control: Sonicated chromatin without immunoprecipitation
Target loci selection:
Design primers for known NCoR/SMRT complex-regulated genes
Include both positive (actively regulated) and negative (not regulated) genomic regions
Data analysis:
Normalize ChIP-qPCR data to input and IgG control
Compare enrichment across multiple genomic regions
Validate findings with orthogonal methods (e.g., reporter assays)
Advanced applications:
ChIP-seq for genome-wide binding profile
ChIP-reChIP to assess co-occupancy with other transcriptional regulators
Integration with transcriptomic data to correlate binding with gene expression
The nuclear localization of TBL1XR1 is critical for its function in transcriptional regulation, and ChIP experiments can reveal how TBL1XR1 contributes to gene expression programs in normal development and disease states.
TBL1XR1 expression varies significantly across cancer types, requiring tailored detection approaches:
For comprehensive cancer studies, combine TBL1XR1 expression analysis with functional assays examining relevant downstream pathways specific to each cancer type.
For investigating TBL1XR1's function in neurodevelopmental contexts:
Mouse model approaches:
Tbl1xr1 knockout mice exhibit behavioral and neuronal abnormalities
Behavioral assessment: Rotarod exercise, beam walking, and catwalk parameters reveal motor coordination impairments in knockout mice
Brain development analysis: Compare brain-to-body weight ratios between wild-type and knockout animals
Cellular models:
Molecular pathway analysis:
Antibody application strategy:
Brain tissue immunohistochemistry: Assess TBL1XR1 expression patterns across developmental stages
Co-localization studies with neural markers
Subcellular fractionation followed by Western blot to assess compartmentalization
These approaches can elucidate how TBL1XR1 mutations or deficiency contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders with distinct clinical presentations.
Inconsistent results with TBL1XR1 antibodies may stem from several factors:
Epitope accessibility issues:
Post-translational modifications:
Phosphorylation or ubiquitination may affect epitope recognition
Solution: Use phosphatase treatment to determine if modifications affect detection
Expression level variations:
Cross-reactivity considerations:
Technical validation approach:
Perform side-by-side comparison of multiple antibody clones
Validate with genetic approaches (siRNA, CRISPR knockout)
Test antibody performance in multiple applications rather than relying on a single technique
When publishing results, clearly document the specific antibody clone, catalog number, and experimental conditions to facilitate reproducibility.
For accurate TBL1XR1 quantification:
Sample preparation standardization:
Western blot optimization:
Standard curve with recombinant TBL1XR1 for absolute quantification
Linear dynamic range determination for your detection system
Multiple technical and biological replicates (minimum n=3)
Normalization strategy:
Image acquisition parameters:
Avoid saturation during digital image capture
Consistent exposure settings across compared samples
Background subtraction methods applied uniformly
Statistical analysis:
Appropriate statistical tests for your experimental design
Report both biological and technical variation
Consider power analysis to determine appropriate sample size
When comparing TBL1XR1 expression across different conditions or cell types, it's important to note that even modest differences may have functional significance, as evidenced by the impact of TBL1XR1 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in multiple cancer models .
Distinguishing direct versus indirect TBL1XR1 effects requires a multi-faceted approach:
Proximity-based interaction studies:
Proximity ligation assay (PLA) to visualize TBL1XR1 interactions with suspected direct partners
FRET/BRET assays for real-time interaction dynamics
Co-immunoprecipitation with reciprocal validation (pull down with TBL1XR1 antibody and partner antibody)
Temporal resolution experiments:
Time-course studies following TBL1XR1 manipulation
Pulse-chase approaches to track primary versus secondary effects
Rapid inducible systems (e.g., auxin-inducible degron tagging of TBL1XR1)
Domain-specific mutations:
Pathway inhibitor combinations:
Direct binding assessment:
ChIP-seq for genome-wide binding patterns
Motif analysis to determine direct DNA binding versus co-factor recruitment
In vitro binding assays with purified components
These approaches collectively provide stronger evidence for direct versus indirect TBL1XR1-mediated effects than any single method alone.