TGFB1I1 (also known as HIC5 or ARA55) functions as a molecular adapter coordinating protein-protein interactions at focal adhesion complexes and in the nucleus. It links various intracellular signaling modules to plasma membrane receptors and regulates the Wnt and TGF-beta signaling pathways. In the nucleus, it serves as a nuclear receptor coactivator regulating glucocorticoid, androgen, mineralocorticoid, and progesterone receptor transcriptional activity. TGFB1I1 plays significant roles in cell growth, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and senescence processes . According to studies, HIC5/TGFB1I1 is 461 amino acids in length and contains four Leu:Asp-rich motifs and four LIM domains, with these domains performing distinct functions including nuclear matrix binding, coactivator activity, and focal adhesion binding .
Commercial TGFB1I1 antibodies vary in their specifications but typically include:
| Characteristic | Common Specifications |
|---|---|
| Host Species | Rabbit, Mouse, Goat |
| Clonality | Polyclonal, Monoclonal |
| Reactivity | Human, Mouse, Rat, Dog, Cow, Rabbit, Horse, Goat, Guinea Pig |
| Applications | WB, ELISA, IHC-P, IHC-F |
| Concentration | Typically 1 μg/μL |
| Storage Conditions | -20°C, with glycerol to prevent freeze-thaw damage |
Most TGFB1I1 antibodies are generated using synthetic peptides or recombinant fusion proteins corresponding to specific amino acid sequences of human TGFB1I1, often targeting regions between amino acids 1-150 .
HRP (Horseradish Peroxidase) conjugation refers to the chemical attachment of the HRP enzyme to the antibody molecule. This modification eliminates the need for secondary antibody detection steps in assays such as Western blotting, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. The HRP enzyme catalyzes a reaction with substrates to produce detectable signals (colorimetric, chemiluminescent), allowing direct visualization of the TGFB1I1 protein in experimental samples. HRP conjugation significantly reduces protocol time and potential background noise from secondary antibody cross-reactivity . Storage conditions for HRP-conjugated antibodies typically include buffered solutions with stabilizers such as glycerol and BSA, maintained at -20°C to preserve enzymatic activity .
For optimal Western blot results with HRP-conjugated TGFB1I1 antibodies, researchers should consider the following methodological approach:
Sample preparation: Use complete lysis buffers containing protease inhibitors to prevent degradation
Protein loading: Load 25-30 μg of total protein per lane for cell line lysates
Dilution optimization: Start with a 1:500 to 1:2000 dilution range; validation data indicates 1:1000 as optimal for many cell types
Blocking: Use 3% non-fat dry milk in TBST for 1 hour at room temperature
Incubation time: Since HRP-conjugated antibodies eliminate the secondary antibody step, primary antibody incubation can be shorter (2-3 hours at room temperature)
Detection system: Standard ECL detection provides sufficient sensitivity for TGFB1I1
Expected molecular weight: Look for TGFB1I1 bands at approximately 50-55 kDa
Positive controls: MCF-7, HepG2, and PC-3 human cell lines have been validated to express detectable TGFB1I1
When performing immunohistochemistry with TGFB1I1 antibodies, researchers should follow these methodological guidelines:
Sample fixation: Both paraffin-embedded (IHC-P) and frozen sections (IHC-F) are compatible with TGFB1I1 antibodies
Antigen retrieval: Heat-induced epitope retrieval using citrate buffer improves detection
Antibody concentration: For HRP-conjugated antibodies, optimal dilutions range from 1:100 to 1:500
Incubation parameters: 10 μg/mL for 3 hours at room temperature is effective for detecting TGFB1I1 in fixed cells
Counterstaining: DAPI is recommended for nuclear visualization to assess subcellular localization
Expected localization: TGFB1I1 shows both cytoplasmic and nuclear localization depending on cell stimulation state; unstimulated cells show primarily cytoplasmic localization while stimulated cells (e.g., with BMP-4) show stronger nuclear localization
Controls: Include positive control tissues with known TGFB1I1 expression patterns
To rigorously validate TGFB1I1 antibody specificity, implement these methodological approaches:
Positive controls: Use cell lines known to express TGFB1I1 such as MCF-7, HepG2, or PC-3
Molecular weight verification: Confirm the detected band matches the expected molecular weight (50-55 kDa)
Peptide competition: Pre-incubate the antibody with the immunizing peptide to block specific binding
Cross-reactivity assessment: Test reactivity across multiple species if planning cross-species experiments; available antibodies show reactivity with human, mouse, rat, and other species
Multiple antibodies approach: Compare results using antibodies targeting different epitopes of TGFB1I1
Subcellular localization pattern: Verify that the observed localization matches known TGFB1I1 distribution patterns (cytoplasmic and nuclear, with translocation upon stimulation)
TGFB1I1/HIC5 exhibits dynamic localization changes in response to stimuli. Research data indicates that in PC-3 cells, TGFB1I1 localization shifts from predominantly cytoplasmic (unstimulated) to nuclear (when stimulated with BMP-4) . To effectively monitor these changes:
Experimental design: Set up parallel treatment groups with appropriate time points
Stimulation protocol: Use defined concentrations of activators (e.g., 10 ng/mL BMP-4 or TGF-beta)
Fixation method: Use paraformaldehyde fixation to preserve protein localization
Antibody detection: For HRP-conjugated antibodies, use appropriate substrates; alternatively, fluorescent-conjugated secondary antibodies can be used with unconjugated primary TGFB1I1 antibodies
Imaging: Confocal microscopy with z-stack acquisition provides optimal assessment of subcellular localization
Quantification: Measure nuclear/cytoplasmic signal ratios across multiple cells and treatment conditions
Controls: Include appropriate vehicle controls and time-matched untreated samples
When designing experiments to study TGFB1I1's role in TGF-beta signaling:
Cell model selection: Choose cells responsive to TGF-beta that express TGFB1I1 (validated cell lines include MCF-7, HepG2, and PC-3)
TGF-beta treatment parameters: TGF-beta is known to induce HIC5/TGFB1I1 expression
Pathway activation verification: Monitor phosphorylation of SMAD proteins as positive controls
Fractionation studies: Given TGFB1I1's dual localization in focal adhesions and nucleus, subcellular fractionation can help track its distribution
Functional domains: Consider that TGFB1I1's LIM domains perform distinct functions (LIM4 binds to nuclear matrix, LIMs 3 and 4 act as coactivators, LIMs 2 and 3 bind to focal adhesions)
Hydrogen peroxide effects: TGFB1I1/HIC5 is induced not only by TGF-beta but also by hydrogen peroxide, which may be relevant for oxidative stress studies
For quantitative assessment of TGFB1I1:
Western blot quantification: Use HRP-conjugated TGFB1I1 antibodies with densitometry, loading 25 μg protein per lane
Normalization strategy: Normalize to stable housekeeping proteins
Subcellular fractionation: Separately quantify nuclear vs. cytoplasmic TGFB1I1 to assess distribution changes
Fluorescence quantification: For immunofluorescence, NorthernLights™ 557-conjugated secondary antibodies have been validated for TGFB1I1 detection
Dynamic range assessment: Create standard curves with recombinant TGFB1I1 protein to establish quantification limits
Statistical analysis: Apply appropriate statistical tests when comparing TGFB1I1 levels across experimental conditions
To minimize non-specific binding:
Antibody titration: Test multiple dilutions; recommended starting dilutions are 1:500-1:2000 for Western blot and 1:100-1:500 for IHC
Blocking optimization: Extend blocking time with 3-5% BSA or non-fat milk in TBST
For Western blots: Validated protocols use 3% non-fat dry milk in TBST for blocking
For immunostaining: Adding 0.03% Proclin300 to buffers can help reduce background
Storage buffer considerations: Commercial HRP-conjugated antibodies typically contain 1% BSA, 0.03% Proclin300, and 50% Glycerol in TBS (pH 7.4)
Washing stringency: Increase washing duration and number of washes with TBST
Antibody storage: Proper storage at -20°C and avoiding freeze-thaw cycles helps maintain specificity
When facing inconsistent results:
Epitope accessibility: TGFB1I1 antibodies target different regions (N-terminal, middle region, C-terminal); epitope masking due to protein-protein interactions may occur
Post-translational modifications: These can affect antibody binding
Storage conditions: HRP activity can diminish over time with improper storage; aliquoting prevents repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Cell type variations: TGFB1I1 expression and localization vary by cell type; MCF-7, HepG2, and PC-3 are validated positive controls
Stimulation state: TGFB1I1 localization changes upon stimulation (e.g., with BMP-4 or TGF-beta)
Sample preparation differences: Lysis buffers and fixation protocols can affect epitope availability
Lot-to-lot antibody variability: Different manufacturing lots may show slight variations in specificity and sensitivity
When faced with contradictory results:
Epitope mapping: Compare the epitopes recognized by each antibody; commercially available antibodies target different regions including amino acids 1-150, 138-200, 179-228, etc.
Antibody format differences: Compare HRP-conjugated vs. unconjugated versions of the same antibody
Validation methods: Review the validation data provided by manufacturers; Western blot validation in cell lines such as MCF-7 and HepG2 is documented for some antibodies
Functional domain awareness: TGFB1I1's LIM domains have distinct functions; antibodies targeting different domains may detect different functional pools of the protein
Literature concordance: Compare with published patterns and known biological functions of TGFB1I1
Confirmatory approaches: Use RNA-level detection methods (RT-PCR, RNA-seq) to correlate with protein detection patterns
Emerging applications include:
Biomarker development: TGFB1I1's role in cell migration and cancer progression makes it a potential prognostic marker
Therapeutic target validation: As a regulator of TGF-beta signaling, TGFB1I1 may represent a therapeutic target
Cellular plasticity studies: TGFB1I1's dynamic localization can serve as a marker for cell state transitions
Nuclear receptor interaction studies: TGFB1I1 functions as a coactivator for multiple nuclear receptors
Mechanotransduction research: TGFB1I1's role in focal adhesions makes it relevant for studying how cells respond to mechanical forces
For multiplexed detection:
Sequential immunostaining: For HRP-conjugated antibodies, use sequential chromogenic detection with different substrates
Panel design: Select markers that don't cross-react (focal adhesion proteins, nuclear receptors, signaling intermediates)
Controls: Run single-stained controls to verify specificity
Image acquisition: Capture images sequentially to minimize signal overlap
Analysis considerations: Use software capable of co-localization analysis
Positive control selection: PC-3 cells with and without BMP-4 stimulation provide a validated model for studying TGFB1I1 localization changes