TFAP2C Antibody
Description
Definition and Functionality
The TFAP2C antibody is a polyclonal or monoclonal immunoglobulin designed to bind specifically to the TFAP2C protein. It enables researchers to visualize or quantify TFAP2C expression in tissues or cells via techniques such as:
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Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Localizes TFAP2C in tissue sections (e.g., placental trophoblast cells ).
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Western blotting: Detects protein levels in lysates (e.g., confirming TFAP2C expression in reprogramming fibroblasts ).
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Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP): Identifies TFAP2C-bound DNA regions (e.g., MET gene promoters ).
Somatic Cell Reprogramming
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Role in MET: The antibody confirmed TFAP2C binds promoters of epithelial genes (Cdh1, Cldn3) during mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), a critical step in iPSC generation .
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Apoptosis Inhibition: Detected reduced cleaved caspase-3 (apoptotic marker) in fibroblasts overexpressing TFAP2C .
Germ Cell Biology
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Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs): Localized TFAP2C in PGC-like cells, linking it to pluripotency maintenance and cancer resistance .
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Trophoblast Development: Identified TFAP2C in invasive trophoblast cells of rat placentas, highlighting its role in placental invasion and maternal-fetal interface remodeling .
Cancer Research
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Germ Cell Tumors: Overexpression of TFAP2C correlates with tumor progression, as detected via IHC in patient samples .
Key Research Findings
Product Specs
Target Background
- A study identified a novel enhancer, HER2 gene body enhancer (HGE), within the 3' gene body of HER2. The HGE activates promoters 1 and 2 in trans, leading to TFAP2C-mediated transcriptional induction of HER2 expression in breast cancer samples. PMID: 29035388
- This research demonstrates that TFAP2C promotes lung tumor progression by upregulating TGFBR1 and subsequently activating PAK1 signaling. PMID: 27885255
- miR-137, a Slug-induced miRNA, mediates the pro-metastatic effects of Slug by targeting TFAP2C in non-small cell lung cancer cells. PMID: 28610956
- TFAP2C may increase the expression of the oncogenic miR-183, consequently downregulating the tumor-suppressive AKAP12, and decreasing the expression of tumor-suppressive miR-33a, ultimately inducing CDK6 in NSCLC cells. PMID: 27593936
- Elevated TFAP2C protein expression correlates with poor overall survival after 10 years of diagnosis in ERalpha-positive breast cancer. PMID: 26160249
- In all three groups (preeclamptic placentas, healthy control, and smokers), the expression rates of AP-2gamma did not differ between primary, secondary, and tertiary villi. PMID: 25315380
- TFAP2C plays a crucial role in regulating luminal-specific genes and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer. PMID: 24469049
- ShRNA knockdown of AP-2gamma in neuroblastoma cells results in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation. PMID: 24969902
- Knockdown of TFAP2C or RET inhibited the activation of ERK and AKT in MCF-7 cells. Knockdown of TFAP2C, which controls ER (estrogen receptor) and RET, exhibited a more pronounced effect on cell growth than either RET or ER alone. PMID: 24045439
- TFAP2C has a role in melanoma through its regulation of ECM1. PMID: 24023917
- Amplification and overexpression of TFAP2C represent a genetic dependency in ERBB2+ve breast cancer. PMID: 23334330
- TFAP2C regulates the expression of the RET proto-oncogene through five AP-2 regulatory sites in the RET promoter. PMID: 22878616
- Results demonstrate that TFAP2C regulates the expression of GPX1, which influences the redox state and sensitivity to oxidative stress induced by peroxides. PMID: 22964634
- Findings support a role for Tcfap2c/ TFAP2C in promoting proliferation and suppressing differentiation in cellular compartments representing immature/progenitor cells. [review] PMID: 22560121
- We have demonstrated that TFAP-2gamma is one of the transcription factors involved in the HuPAR-2 expression in human villous trophoblast cells. PMID: 22702469
- It has been shown that while TFAP2C and Myc can downregulate the CDKN1A promoter independently, KDM5B acts as a corepressor dependent on the other two proteins. PMID: 22371483
- AP-2gamma is a novel collaborative factor in ERalpha-mediated transcription. PMID: 21572391
- miR-214 is highly expressed in human melanomas, and the data suggest a critical role for this miRNA in disease progression and the establishment of distant metastases through suppression of TFAP2C. PMID: 21468029
- Overexpression of TFAP2C is associated with hormone-responsive breast carcinoma. PMID: 20629094
- AP-2 gamma and Dlx 3, along with an additional transcription factor(s) conserved between humans and mice, are required for trophoblast-specific expression of 3 beta-HSD VI. PMID: 11773066
- AP-2gamma plays a significant role in the regulation of ErbB-3 expression in human mammary epithelial and lung fibroblast cells. PMID: 11859873
- We have identified a potential trophoblast cell-specific regulatory element located 6 kb upstream of the murine AP-2gamma gene transcription start site, and that Sp1 and Sp3 bind to cis-regulatory elements located in the promoter proximal region. PMID: 12801994
- AP-2gamma expression in breast cancer cells is induced by estrogens through binding of the estrogen receptor to a response element within the 5'-untranslated region. PMID: 14565844
- Abundant expression of AP-2gamma is associated with intratubular germ cell neoplasias. PMID: 15700319
- Expression microarray results in human breast carcinoma cells with forced p53 expression revealed AP-2gamma as a putative transcriptional target of p53. PMID: 16636674
- TFAP2C is the key regulator of hormone responsiveness in breast carcinoma cells through the control of multiple pathways of estrogen signaling. TFAP2C regulates the expression of ERalpha directly by binding to the ERalpha promoter. PMID: 17875680
- Wwox and Ap2gamma emerge as tumor biomarkers that may be superior to PR and Her2 in predicting tamoxifen response. PMID: 17947476
- AP2 transcription factors may play decisive pacemaker roles in initiating and coordinating budding and branching processes during the formation of the fetal breast anlage. PMID: 18042070
- Down-modulation of AP-2gamma expression in tumor cells by RNA interference led to enhanced tumor growth and reduced chemotherapy-induced cell death, as well as migration and invasion. PMID: 18443366
- Reduced expression levels of nuclear AP2gamma are associated with the pathogenesis of basal-like differentiation in breast cancer. PMID: 19130459
- Data show that the combination of increasing chromatin accessibility and inducing TFAP2C provides a more robust activation of the ERalpha gene in ERalpha-negative breast cancer cells. PMID: 19458056
- ErbB2, CDH2, HPSE, and IGSF11 are identified as AP-2gamma target genes in breast cancer cells. PMID: 19671168
- AP-2gamma promotes proliferation in breast tumor cells by direct repression of the CDKN1A gene. PMID: 19798054
Q&A
How do I select a TFAP2C antibody for human cell line studies?
Methodological Answer:
Prioritize antibodies validated for specific applications (e.g., Western blot [WB], immunohistochemistry [IHC]) and reactivity profiles. For example:
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ABIN7172475: Targets AA 8-180; validated for ELISA, IHC, and IF in human samples .
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ab110635: Mouse monoclonal with WB/IHC-P validation in human and mouse tissues .
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14572-1-AP: Rabbit polyclonal with WB (1:500–1:2400 dilution) and IHC (1:50–1:500) in HeLa and MCF-7 cells .
Validation Checklist:
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Confirm target epitope alignment with your experimental species (e.g., human vs. rat) .
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Cross-reference antibody datasheets with independent studies (e.g., Pastor et al., 2018 used ab76007 for ChIP-seq in naive hPSCs) .
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Use siRNA knockdown or CRISPR-edited cell lines as negative controls to confirm specificity .
What are common pitfalls in validating TFAP2C antibody specificity?
Methodological Answer:
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Cross-reactivity: Polyclonal antibodies (e.g., ABIN7172475) may recognize homologous epitopes in non-target species. Always verify using:
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Band confirmation: TFAP2C migrates at ~50 kDa. Use lysates from TFAP2C-knockout models (e.g., Tfap2c KO rats ) to rule out non-specific bands .
How do I optimize TFAP2C detection in immunohistochemistry?
Methodological Answer:
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Antigen retrieval: Use TE buffer (pH 9.0) for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues .
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Dilution gradients: For ab218107, start at 1:2000 in breast cancer tissues .
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Controls: Include TFAP2C-positive (placenta) and negative (KO trophoblast cells ) tissues.
How does TFAP2C regulate invasive trophoblast cell lineage development?
Methodological Answer:
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Gene dosage effects: Heterozygous Tfap2c KO rats show reduced intrauterine trophoblast invasion, while homozygous KO causes prenatal lethality .
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Functional assays:
Key Data:
| Model | Phenotype | Molecular Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Tfap2c+/− | Reduced uterine invasion | ↓ MMP2/9 expression |
| Tfap2c−/− | Lethality by E9.5 | Loss of trophectoderm markers |
How to resolve contradictory roles of TFAP2C in HER2+ breast cancer?
Methodological Answer:
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Context-dependent signaling: In BT-474 cells, TFAP2C knockdown reduces ERK1/2 phosphorylation but does not alter HER2 levels .
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Compensatory mechanisms:
Contradiction Analysis:
| Study | Finding | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Woodfield et al. (2015) | TFAP2C regulates EGFR, not HER2 | MMneu-flAP2C mouse model |
| Cheng et al. (2007) | TFAP2C controls ERα and GPR30 | MCF-7 xenografts |
What strategies validate TFAP2C’s role in luminal-basal transition?
Methodological Answer:
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Knockdown/Rescue: Transient siRNA in MCF-7 cells followed by re-expression of TFAP2C-GFP .
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Flow cytometry: Sort CD24hi/CD49fmid (luminal) vs. CD24mid/CD49fhi (basal) populations post-TFAP2C inhibition .
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ChIP-seq: Map TFAP2C binding at ESR1, FOXA1, and CD44 enhancers .
How to address cross-reactivity in multi-species developmental studies?
Methodological Answer:
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Epitope mapping: Use antibodies targeting non-conserved regions (e.g., ab203691 against AA 1-50 in mouse/rat ).
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Comparative WB: Test lysates from human (HeLa), mouse (MMTV-Cre), and rat (Tfap2c KO) models .
Cross-Reactivity Table:
| Antibody | Host | Reactivity | Optimal Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABIN7172475 | Rabbit | Human only | Embryonic stem cells |
| ab110635 | Mouse | Human, mouse | Cancer xenografts |
| ab203691 | Rabbit | Mouse, rat | Placental development |
