Epitope and Immunogen:
The biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibody targets the region spanning amino acids (AA) 59–194 of the human TFB1M protein . This epitope is derived from recombinant human dimethyladenosine transferase 1, mitochondrial protein.
Biological Function:
TFB1M is a mitochondrial methyltransferase that dimethylates adenosine residues (A1583/A1584) in 12S rRNA, critical for ribosomal assembly . It also regulates mitochondrial DNA transcription via interactions with POLRMT and TFAM .
The biotin-conjugated format is optimized for ELISA, enabling:
High Sensitivity: Detects TFB1M in serum, cell lysates, or purified protein samples.
Dilution Recommendations:
While biotin-conjugated antibodies are ELISA-focused, non-conjugated variants support:
Western Blot (WB): Detects a 39 kDa band in human cell lines (e.g., A549, HepG2) .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Stains pancreatic/liver cancer tissues .
Immunofluorescence (IF/ICC): Visualizes TFB1M localization in mitochondria .
Role in Ribosome Assembly: TFB1M dimethylation stabilizes 12S rRNA, essential for mitochondrial ribosome function .
Transcriptional Regulation: Interacts with POLRMT/TFAM to drive mitochondrial DNA transcription, independent of methyltransferase activity .
Pathological Implications: Loss of TFB1M correlates with mitochondrial dysfunction in diseases like cancer .
Western Blot: Detects a 39 kDa band in A549 and HepG2 lysates .
IHC: Strong cytoplasmic staining in pancreatic/liver cancer tissues .
Species Cross-Reactivity: Limited to human samples for biotin-conjugated variants ; non-conjugated antibodies may cross-react with mouse/rat .
Application Restrictions: Biotin-conjugated antibodies are unsuitable for WB/IHC due to steric hindrance .
Toxicity: Contains preservatives like Proclin (toxic) or sodium azide (hazardous) .
TFB1M (Transcription Factor B1, Mitochondrial), also known as Dimethyladenosine transferase 1, plays a critical role in mitochondrial gene expression. The protein is essential for proper transcription of mitochondrial DNA, making it a key focus in studies of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Research has established that the expression of human TFB1M is governed by nuclear respiratory factors (NRF-1 and NRF-2), which are key transcription factors in mitochondrial biogenesis pathways . TFB1M works in coordination with other factors such as Tfam and is up-regulated in cellular systems where mitochondrial biogenesis is induced, particularly in response to PGC-1α or PRC coactivator activity .
Based on available research materials, there are several biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies with different properties:
| Antibody Type | Host | Target Region | Applications | Species Reactivity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyclonal | Rabbit | AA 59-194 | ELISA | Human | |
| Monoclonal (OTI11H1) | Mouse | AA 116-346 | Western Blot | Human, Mouse, Rat |
The polyclonal antibody is generated against recombinant Human Dimethyladenosine transferase 1, mitochondrial protein (59-194AA) , while the monoclonal antibody is raised against a human recombinant protein fragment corresponding to amino acids 116-346 of human TFB1M (NP_057104) .
Biotin conjugation provides several advantages over unconjugated antibodies:
Enhanced detection sensitivity through streptavidin-based amplification systems
Increased flexibility in experimental design, allowing for multiple detection strategies
Compatibility with a wide range of streptavidin-conjugated reporter molecules
Reduced background in certain applications due to the high specificity of biotin-streptavidin interaction
Ability to be used in complex multi-step staining protocols where direct conjugation might interfere with epitope recognition
The biotin conjugation does not appear to significantly alter the binding specificity of the antibodies, as they maintain their reactivity to the target TFB1M protein .
The biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies have been validated for different applications depending on the specific antibody:
ELISA applications: The rabbit polyclonal antibody (AA 59-194) has been specifically validated for ELISA techniques .
Western Blot applications: The mouse monoclonal antibody (OTI11H1) has been validated for Western Blot with a recommended dilution of 1:2000 . When used in Western Blot, the antibody can detect TFB1M protein with a predicted size of 39.4 kDa .
Potential for additional applications: While not specifically validated for biotin-conjugated versions, other TFB1M antibodies have been used successfully in immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF), suggesting that with proper optimization, biotin-conjugated versions may also work for these applications .
For optimal Western Blot results using the biotin-conjugated TFB1M monoclonal antibody (OTI11H1):
Sample preparation: Load approximately 25 μg of protein extract per lane on a 12% SDS-PAGE gel .
Transfer: Transfer proteins to a nitrocellulose or PVDF membrane using standard techniques.
Blocking: Block the membrane with 5% non-fat milk or BSA in TBST for 1 hour at room temperature.
Primary antibody: Dilute the biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibody 1:2000 in blocking buffer and incubate overnight at 4°C .
Washing: Wash the membrane 3-5 times with TBST.
Detection: Incubate with a streptavidin-HRP conjugate at the appropriate dilution.
Development: Visualize using enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) or other compatible detection methods.
Note that the antibody has been purified from mouse ascites fluids or tissue culture supernatant by affinity chromatography (protein A/G), ensuring high specificity .
For optimal storage and handling of biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies:
Long-term storage: Store at -20°C as received in small aliquots to prevent freeze-thaw cycles .
Working solutions: Prepare fresh dilutions on the day of use.
Buffer conditions: The monoclonal antibody is supplied in PBS (pH 7.3) containing 1% BSA, 50% glycerol, and 0.02% sodium azide .
Stability: When properly stored, the antibody is stable for 12 months from the date of receipt .
Proper storage is critical as repeated freeze-thaw cycles can lead to denaturation and loss of binding activity, particularly for biotin-conjugated antibodies which may be more sensitive to storage conditions.
Biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies can be powerful tools for investigating mitochondrial biogenesis:
Expression analysis: Quantify TFB1M protein levels in response to stimuli known to induce mitochondrial biogenesis, such as exercise, caloric restriction, or cold exposure.
Co-regulation studies: Examine the coordinated expression of TFB1M with other mitochondrial transcription factors such as Tfam and TFB2M during biogenesis .
Transcriptional control: Investigate the relationship between TFB1M expression and its regulators, particularly the NRF-1 and NRF-2 transcription factors and PGC-1 family coactivators .
Protein interactions: Use in co-immunoprecipitation experiments to identify protein complexes containing TFB1M.
Chromatin studies: Employ in ChIP assays to examine TFB1M binding to mitochondrial DNA and its role in transcription initiation.
The biotin conjugation provides additional flexibility in these applications by enabling various detection strategies without requiring direct enzyme conjugation to the primary antibody.
For rigorous experimental validation with biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies, the following controls are essential:
Positive control: Include cell or tissue lysates known to express TFB1M, such as 721_B cells as indicated by BioGPS gene expression data .
Negative control: Utilize samples from TFB1M knockout models or cell lines with confirmed low expression.
Blocking peptide control: Pre-incubate the antibody with the immunizing peptide to confirm specificity. For the middle region antibody, the blocking peptide sequence is: IIKWLENISCRDGPFVYGRTQMTLTFQKEVAERLAANTGSKQRSRLSVMA .
Isotype control: Include an irrelevant biotin-conjugated antibody of the same isotype (IgG for polyclonal, IgG1 for the monoclonal) to control for non-specific binding.
Endogenous biotin control: Since many tissues (particularly liver, kidney, and brain) contain endogenous biotin, include a control without primary antibody but with streptavidin detection to assess background.
Loading control: Always include appropriate loading controls when conducting Western blots to normalize TFB1M expression levels.
To establish meaningful correlations between TFB1M expression and mitochondrial function:
Parallel measurements: Simultaneously assess TFB1M protein levels using the biotin-conjugated antibodies alongside mitochondrial functional parameters such as oxygen consumption, ATP production, and membrane potential.
Intervention studies: Examine how manipulations that alter mitochondrial function (e.g., respiratory chain inhibitors, uncouplers) affect TFB1M expression.
Genetic approaches: Compare TFB1M levels in models with genetic alterations in mitochondrial components.
Longitudinal analysis: Track changes in TFB1M expression during processes known to affect mitochondrial biogenesis, such as differentiation or adaptation to metabolic challenges.
Subcellular fractionation: Use the antibodies to determine the distribution of TFB1M between different cellular compartments and correlate with mitochondrial metrics.
This approach can help establish whether TFB1M serves as a reliable biomarker for mitochondrial biogenesis and function in various physiological and pathological contexts.
Several technical challenges may arise when working with biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies:
| Issue | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| High background | Endogenous biotin, insufficient blocking, antibody concentration too high | Pre-block endogenous biotin with avidin/biotin blocking kit, optimize blocking conditions, further dilute antibody |
| Weak or no signal | Low target expression, antibody degradation, inappropriate detection system | Confirm TFB1M expression in samples, use fresh antibody aliquot, optimize streptavidin-conjugate concentration |
| Multiple bands | Cross-reactivity, protein degradation, post-translational modifications | Verify with positive controls, add protease inhibitors, compare with literature reports on TFB1M size variants |
| Inconsistent results | Antibody degradation, sample variability, technical inconsistencies | Standardize protocols, use fresh antibody aliquots, include internal controls in each experiment |
For Western blot applications specifically, loading 25 μg of protein extract and using the antibody at a 1:2000 dilution has been demonstrated to produce reliable results .
Verifying antibody specificity is critical for reliable research outcomes:
Peptide competition: Pre-incubate the antibody with excess immunizing peptide before application to confirm that signal loss occurs with specific binding.
Genetic validation: Compare staining patterns or band intensity in samples with TFB1M overexpression versus knockdown/knockout.
Size verification: Confirm that the detected protein matches the predicted molecular weight of TFB1M (39.4 kDa) .
Cross-species validation: Test the antibody in samples from multiple species where cross-reactivity is predicted based on sequence homology. The polyclonal middle-region antibody has predicted homology of: Cow: 86%; Dog: 93%; Guinea Pig: 86%; Horse: 86%; Human: 100%; Mouse: 86%; Rabbit: 93%; Rat: 86%; Zebrafish: 79% .
Orthogonal methods: Correlate antibody results with mRNA expression data or mass spectrometry protein identification.
When adapting biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies for specialized applications:
For co-localization studies:
Use low antibody concentrations to minimize background
Consider tyramide signal amplification for enhanced sensitivity
Optimize blocking to prevent non-specific streptavidin binding
For flow cytometry:
Increase permeabilization time to ensure antibody access to mitochondrial proteins
Use appropriate compensation controls for multiple fluorophores
Consider fixation methods that preserve mitochondrial structure
For proximity ligation assays:
Pair with antibodies against potential interaction partners
Optimize fixation to preserve protein-protein interactions
Reduce background by extensive washing
For super-resolution microscopy:
Use small streptavidin-conjugated fluorophores for better resolution
Consider photoconvertible streptavidin conjugates for techniques like PALM
Minimize fixation-induced epitope masking
For multiplexed detection:
Employ biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibody as part of a sequential staining protocol
Use streptavidin conjugates with spectrally distinct fluorophores for parallel detection
Consider antibody stripping and reprobing strategies for multiple targets
Biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies offer valuable approaches for investigating mitochondrial dysfunction in various diseases:
Comparative expression analysis: Quantify TFB1M protein levels in affected versus normal tissues to identify disease-associated changes in mitochondrial transcription machinery.
Therapeutic response monitoring: Track changes in TFB1M expression during treatment with compounds targeting mitochondrial function.
Disease progression studies: Examine TFB1M levels at different stages of disease development to establish temporal relationships with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Cellular stress response: Investigate how cellular stressors associated with disease states affect TFB1M expression and localization.
Biomarker development: Evaluate whether TFB1M protein levels correlate with disease severity or progression, potentially serving as a biomarker for mitochondrial involvement.
The biotin conjugation provides flexibility in detection methods, particularly valuable when working with limited or precious clinical samples.
The regulation of TFB1M by nuclear respiratory factors (NRFs) represents a key mechanism in mitochondrial biogenesis:
Promoter structure: The hTFB1M promoter (accession number AL139101) contains binding sites for NRF-1 and NRF-2, which can be studied through promoter deletion and site-directed mutagenesis approaches .
Transcriptional regulation: NRF-1 and NRF-2 bind to specific sequences in the TFB1M promoter to drive its expression, with the NRF-1 binding site located within the region corresponding to nucleotides -143 to -117 of the promoter .
Coactivator involvement: PGC-1α and PRC function as coactivators for NRFs in driving TFB1M expression, establishing a regulatory network that coordinates nuclear and mitochondrial gene expression .
Coordinate regulation: TFB1M is up-regulated along with other mitochondrial transcription factors (Tfam, TFB2M) in response to signals that induce mitochondrial biogenesis .
Biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies can be used to investigate these regulatory mechanisms by:
Quantifying TFB1M protein levels after manipulation of NRF expression or activity
Examining the kinetics of TFB1M protein expression following activation of the PGC-1α pathway
Comparing TFB1M protein levels across tissues with different metabolic demands and NRF activity
Multiplexing approaches using biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibodies can significantly enhance mitochondrial research:
Co-localization studies: Combine biotin-conjugated TFB1M antibody (detected with streptavidin-fluorophore conjugates) with directly labeled antibodies against other mitochondrial proteins to examine spatial relationships within the organelle.
Protein complex analysis: Use in conjunction with antibodies against potential interaction partners to identify novel TFB1M-containing complexes.
Pathway activation assessment: Simultaneously examine TFB1M expression alongside markers of mitochondrial biogenesis pathways (e.g., phosphorylated AMPK, nuclear PGC-1α) to establish regulatory relationships.
Dynamic process monitoring: Combine with indicators of mitochondrial function (membrane potential dyes, superoxide indicators) to correlate TFB1M expression with functional outcomes.
Tissue heterogeneity analysis: In tissue sections, use with cell-type-specific markers to examine cell-specific variation in TFB1M expression.
The versatility of biotin-streptavidin detection systems allows for signal amplification and flexible experimental design in these multiplexed approaches.