Target Protein: THOC5 (UniProt ID: Q13769) is a 79 kDa nuclear/cytoplasmic shuttling protein essential for mRNA export, transcription elongation, and stem cell maintenance . It interacts with RNA helicases (DDX5, DDX17), CDK12, and THOC6 to regulate transcription elongation and R-loop resolution .
Biotin Conjugation: The biotin tag allows indirect detection via streptavidin-linked enzymes (e.g., HRP, alkaline phosphatase) or fluorophores, enhancing signal amplification and adaptability across assays .
Usage: Quantifies THOC5 levels in serum or cell lysates using streptavidin-HRP/AP systems .
Advantage: Biotin conjugation permits signal amplification, improving detection limits .
Protocol: Antigen retrieval with TE buffer (pH 9.0) or citrate buffer (pH 6.0) is recommended for formalin-fixed tissues .
Example Findings: THOC5 is upregulated in breast and lung cancer tissues, correlating with mRNA export dysregulation .
Subcellular Localization: Nuclear speckles in stem cells and undifferentiated cells; cytoplasmic in differentiated macrophages .
Transcription Regulation: THOC5 depletion alters RNA Pol II elongation rates and 3′ mRNA processing in HEK293 cells .
Disease Relevance: Elevated THOC5 levels are linked to leukemogenesis and poor differentiation in hematopoietic stem cells .
Mechanistic Insights: THOC5 recruits CPSF6 to regulate alternative polyadenylation and associates with R-loops via CDK12 .
THOC5 acts as a component of the THO subcomplex within the TREX complex, which couples mRNA transcription, processing, and nuclear export. It specifically associates with spliced mRNA rather than unspliced pre-mRNA. The protein is involved in transcription elongation, genome stability, and functions in alternative polyadenylation site choice by recruiting CPSF6 to the 5' region of target genes. Its significance stems from its critical role in RNA metabolism pathways, making it an important target for understanding gene expression regulation mechanisms .
The primary validated application for THOC5 Antibody, Biotin conjugated is ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). The biotin conjugation enables flexible detection strategies using streptavidin-based secondary reagents with various reporter molecules. While primarily validated for ELISA, researchers may optimize protocols for other applications such as immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, or immunofluorescence, though these would require individual validation .
THOC5 Antibody, Biotin conjugated is a rabbit polyclonal IgG antibody specifically reactive to human THOC5. It's typically immunized against recombinant human THO complex subunit 5 homolog protein (amino acids 2-53) and purified via Protein G. The antibody is supplied in liquid form containing preservatives (0.03% Proclin-300), 50% glycerol, and 0.01M PBS at pH 7.4. It demonstrates >95% purity and is intended for research applications only .
For optimal preservation of activity, THOC5 Antibody, Biotin conjugated should be aliquoted upon receipt to minimize freeze-thaw cycles and stored at -20°C. Exposure to light should be avoided to prevent photobleaching of the biotin conjugate. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles significantly reduce antibody performance. For short-term storage (1-2 weeks), the antibody can be kept at 4°C. Each aliquot should contain sufficient volume for single-experiment use to prevent repeated freeze-thaw cycles .
For positive controls, researchers should consider human cell lines known to express THOC5, such as radioresistant TNBC cell lines which show upregulated THOC5 expression. Recombinant THOC5 protein can also serve as a positive control for ELISA applications. For negative controls, consider: (1) isotype controls using rabbit IgG-biotin with matching concentration; (2) blocking peptide competition assays using the immunogen peptide; and (3) THOC5-knockout or knockdown samples generated through CRISPR-Cas9 or siRNA technologies. These controls help distinguish between specific and non-specific binding events .
Optimal antibody dilution must be determined empirically for each application and experimental system. Begin with a broad dilution series (e.g., 1:100, 1:500, 1:1000, 1:5000) to identify the appropriate range. Then refine with narrower intervals within the identified range. For ELISA applications, typically start at 1:1000 dilution and adjust based on signal-to-noise ratio. When optimizing, maintain identical experimental conditions across dilutions including incubation time, temperature, and detection systems. Document the signal-to-noise ratio for each dilution to determine optimal working concentration .
Validation should employ multiple complementary approaches: (1) Western blot analysis demonstrating a single band at the expected molecular weight (~79 kDa); (2) Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to confirm target identity; (3) Comparative analysis using multiple THOC5 antibodies targeting different epitopes; (4) RNA interference experiments showing reduced antibody signal corresponding to reduced THOC5 expression; and (5) Testing reactivity across related THO complex proteins to confirm lack of cross-reactivity. Additionally, testing on both recombinant protein and endogenous THOC5 in cellular contexts provides comprehensive validation .
Recent research indicates that THOC5 is upregulated in radioresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and associated with cancer stemness properties. The biotin-conjugated antibody can be employed in multi-parameter flow cytometry to simultaneously analyze THOC5 expression alongside established cancer stem cell markers (CD44, CD24, ALDH). This approach enables researchers to investigate correlations between THOC5 expression and stemness phenotypes. Additionally, the antibody can be used in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays to explore THOC5's interaction with stemness-related gene promoters, providing insights into its regulatory mechanisms .
To investigate THOC5's role in radioresistance, researchers can employ several approaches: (1) Comparative immunohistochemistry using the biotin-conjugated antibody with streptavidin-HRP on radioresistant versus radiosensitive tumor samples; (2) ChIP-seq experiments to identify THOC5 binding sites in genes involved in DNA damage response; (3) RNA immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (RIP-seq) to identify mRNAs bound by THOC5 after radiation exposure; and (4) Proximity ligation assays to detect interactions between THOC5 and components of DNA repair machinery. These methodologies can reveal mechanisms by which THOC5 contributes to radioresistance in cancer cells .
When analyzing THOC5 expression in patient-derived samples, researchers should consider: (1) Tumor heterogeneity—use multiple cores from different regions of the tumor; (2) Comparison with matched normal tissue from the same patient; (3) Co-staining with cell type-specific markers to identify which cells express THOC5; (4) Correlation with clinical parameters including treatment response and survival data; and (5) RNA-protein correlation analysis to determine if protein expression matches transcript levels. Additionally, standardized scoring systems should be developed to quantify THOC5 expression levels consistently across samples. Fresh frozen samples typically yield better results than formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues .
When encountering weak or absent signals, consider the following systematic approach: (1) Verify antibody integrity by dot blot analysis with recombinant THOC5; (2) Test different fixation methods—some epitopes are sensitive to certain fixatives; (3) Increase antibody concentration or extend incubation time; (4) Optimize antigen retrieval methods for fixed tissues; (5) Ensure streptavidin detection reagent is functional by testing with other biotinylated proteins; (6) Check for endogenous biotin interference and implement blocking steps if necessary; (7) Verify THOC5 expression levels in your sample through RT-qPCR; and (8) Consider that nuclear proteins like THOC5 may require specialized permeabilization protocols for adequate antibody access .
High background is a common challenge with biotin-conjugated antibodies. Implement these strategies: (1) Block endogenous biotin using commercial avidin/biotin blocking kits prior to primary antibody incubation; (2) Increase blocking stringency using combinations of BSA, normal serum, and non-fat dry milk; (3) Reduce primary antibody concentration and optimize incubation conditions; (4) Include additional washing steps with increased detergent concentration; (5) Use streptavidin conjugates from different suppliers if background persists; (6) Pre-absorb the antibody with irrelevant tissue lysates; and (7) Consider tissue-specific autofluorescence quenching methods when performing immunofluorescence studies .
For multiplexing experiments, consider these methodological approaches: (1) Sequential detection using tyramide signal amplification, which allows antibody stripping while retaining the first signal; (2) Use of streptavidin conjugated to spectrally distinct fluorophores for fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry; (3) Implementation of multi-epitope ligand cartography (MELC) for high-dimensional protein mapping; (4) For mass cytometry (CyTOF), conjugate different antibodies with distinct metal isotopes; and (5) When using chromogenic detection, employ multiple enzyme systems with different substrates (HRP/DAB and AP/Fast Red). Always perform single-marker controls to ensure no signal interference or cross-reactivity occurs between detection systems .
THOC5 interacts with the mRNA export machinery through partnerships with ALYREF/THOC4 in NXF1-NXT1 mediated nuclear export pathways. These interactions enhance the RNA binding activity of NXF1 and facilitate its localization to the nuclear rim. To characterize these interactions, researchers can employ: (1) Co-immunoprecipitation using biotin-conjugated THOC5 antibody with streptavidin pull-down; (2) Proximity ligation assays to visualize protein-protein interactions in situ; (3) FRET or BRET experiments to assess direct interactions in living cells; and (4) RNA-dependent co-localization studies using fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) can identify the RNA targets that mediate these interactions between THOC5 and export factors .
To investigate THOC5's role in alternative polyadenylation, researchers should consider: (1) RNA 3'-end sequencing (3'-seq) in THOC5 knockdown versus control cells to identify differential polyadenylation site usage; (2) CLIP-seq (crosslinking immunoprecipitation) using biotin-conjugated THOC5 antibody to identify direct RNA binding sites; (3) Co-immunoprecipitation studies to detect interactions between THOC5 and polyadenylation factors like CPSF6; (4) Reporter assays with constructs containing alternative polyadenylation sites to assess functional impact; and (5) In vitro reconstitution experiments to determine if THOC5 directly affects polyadenylation complex assembly or activity. These approaches provide complementary information about THOC5's mechanistic involvement in polyadenylation site selection .
THOC5 function is regulated by post-translational modifications, particularly phosphorylation. To investigate this aspect, researchers should: (1) Perform phospho-specific Western blotting after immunoprecipitation with the biotin-conjugated THOC5 antibody; (2) Utilize mass spectrometry to identify specific phosphorylation sites after enriching THOC5 with the antibody; (3) Generate phospho-mimetic and phospho-deficient THOC5 mutants to assess functional consequences in rescue experiments; (4) Employ phosphatase inhibitors and activators to manipulate THOC5 phosphorylation status and observe functional outcomes; and (5) Investigate kinase inhibitors to identify signaling pathways regulating THOC5 activity. These approaches will reveal how phosphorylation affects THOC5's interactions, localization, and functional activities .
When interpreting variable THOC5 expression across cell types, consider: (1) Cell type-specific transcriptional regulation—analyze promoter usage and transcription factor binding profiles; (2) RNA processing differences—examine splicing patterns and mRNA stability; (3) Proliferation status—correlate with cell cycle markers as THOC5 may be regulated during proliferation; (4) Differentiation state—as indicated by research showing THOC5 influences differentiation phenotypes in vascular smooth muscle cells; and (5) Microenvironmental influences—compare cells grown under different conditions. Statistical analysis should include biological replicates and appropriate normalization to housekeeping genes or proteins. Visualization through heat maps or scatter plots comparing THOC5 with known cell type markers can reveal meaningful patterns .
For robust co-localization analysis between THOC5 and other cellular components, employ: (1) Pearson's correlation coefficient, which measures linear correlation between fluorescence intensities; (2) Manders' overlap coefficient to determine the proportion of overlap between signals; (3) Costes method for automated threshold determination and statistical significance testing; (4) Object-based approaches that identify discrete structures rather than pixel intensities; and (5) Advanced methods like Ripley's K-function for spatial point pattern analysis. Always include appropriate controls including single-labeled samples and randomly scrambled images. For publication-quality data, report confidence intervals and use multiple technical and biological replicates to ensure reproducibility .
Distinguishing direct from indirect THOC5 effects requires multiple complementary approaches: (1) Acute versus chronic depletion experiments—compare rapid depletion systems (e.g., auxin-inducible degron) with long-term knockdown; (2) Structure-function analysis using domain-specific mutants to pinpoint essential regions; (3) In vitro reconstitution assays with purified components to test direct biochemical activities; (4) Genome-wide binding profiles (ChIP-seq) correlated with expression changes (RNA-seq) to identify directly regulated targets; and (5) Temporal analysis following THOC5 manipulation to identify primary (early) versus secondary (late) effects. Additionally, rescue experiments with wild-type versus mutant THOC5 can validate causal relationships. Computational network analysis can also help predict direct versus indirect regulatory connections .