TMED10 (Transmembrane Emp24-Like Trafficking Protein 10) is a 25 kDa protein belonging to the EMP24/GP25L/p24 family. It functions as a cargo receptor involved in vesicular protein trafficking between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus . TMED10 is also known as TMP21, p23, and p24delta.
The protein has gained significant research interest due to its:
Role in modulating gamma-secretase activity without affecting epsilon-secretase activity in Alzheimer's disease pathology
Function in protein trafficking pathways, particularly for growth factors like IGF2
Involvement in TGF-β signaling through interference with receptor complex formation
Potential role in T cell function through regulating PD-1 surface expression
Based on validation data from multiple sources, TMED10 antibodies have demonstrated effectiveness in the following applications:
While the calculated molecular weight of TMED10 is approximately 25 kDa, many researchers observe a band at approximately 21-23 kDa in western blot analysis . This discrepancy is likely due to post-translational modifications or proteolytic processing.
When using antibodies against different epitopes, you may observe:
Antibodies targeting the center region typically detect a band at ~21-23 kDa
Antibodies against the C-terminus may detect additional bands in some cell types
Some commercially available antibodies report detecting bands between 20-25 kDa depending on the cell/tissue type
If multiple bands are observed, validation experiments including knockout/knockdown controls are recommended to confirm specificity.
Most commercially available TMED10 antibodies demonstrate reactivity with:
Validating antibody specificity is crucial for reliable experimental results. For TMED10 antibodies, consider these approaches:
Genetic validation:
Peptide competition assay:
Pre-incubate the antibody with the immunogen peptide (many manufacturers offer blocking peptides)
The specific signal should be significantly reduced or eliminated
Multiple antibody validation:
Use antibodies targeting different epitopes of TMED10
Consistent results across antibodies increase confidence in specificity
Expression validation:
Mass spectrometry validation:
TMED10 functions as a cargo receptor in vesicular trafficking. To study this role, consider these methodologies:
RUSH system (Retention Using Selective Hooks):
Subcellular fractionation and localization:
Use ultracentrifugation to isolate ER, Golgi, and vesicular fractions
Immunoblot with TMED10 antibodies to track its distribution
Combine with client protein detection to study co-trafficking
Live-cell imaging with fluorescently tagged TMED10:
Co-express with tagged cargo proteins to visualize trafficking dynamics
TMED10-GFP fusion proteins have been used to study its localization and trafficking function
Secretion assays:
Biotinylation assays for cell surface proteins:
TMED10 interacts with various proteins in different cellular contexts. To study these interactions:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP):
Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC):
Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA):
Detect protein interactions at endogenous levels in fixed cells
Provides spatial information about where interactions occur within cells
Affinity labeling experiments:
Mapping interaction domains:
Generate deletion mutants of TMED10 to identify binding regions
Studies have shown that:
TMED10 has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. To investigate this connection:
Expression analysis in disease models:
Functional studies of TMED10 in Aβ production:
Autophagy modulation:
Correlation studies in patient samples:
Compare TMED10 levels with disease markers in patient-derived samples
Analyze TMED10 polymorphisms in relation to disease risk or progression
Therapeutic targeting approaches:
Contradictory results can arise from several factors:
Epitope differences:
| Antibody | Epitope Region | Species Raised In | Expected MW | Potential Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example 1 | Center (101-200) | Rabbit | 21 kDa | May not detect processed forms |
| Example 2 | C-terminus (156-185) | Goat | 23 kDa | May be affected by C-terminal modifications |
| Example 3 | N-terminus | Rabbit | 25 kDa | May detect precursor forms only |
Post-translational modifications:
TMED10 undergoes various modifications that may mask certain epitopes
Different tissues/cell types may exhibit different modification patterns
Protein complexes:
TMED10 forms complexes with other proteins, potentially obscuring epitopes
Denaturation conditions in western blotting versus native conditions in IP may yield different results
Validation strategy:
When faced with contradictory results:
Use genetic models (knockdown/knockout) to determine specificity
Test antibodies under identical conditions
Consider using mass spectrometry to confirm protein identity
Assess if differences correlate with biological variables (e.g., disease state, activation condition)
Recent research has revealed TMED10's role in regulating PD-1 expression in T cells . When investigating this aspect:
T cell activation conditions:
TMED10 expression and localization may change upon T cell activation
Use standardized activation protocols (e.g., CD3/CD28 stimulation, PMA/ionomycin)
Monitor activation markers alongside TMED10 detection
Cell surface versus total TMED10:
Use cell surface biotinylation to distinguish membrane-localized from intracellular TMED10
Flow cytometry analysis of intact versus permeabilized cells can differentiate surface from total protein
Functional readouts:
Tumor cell co-culture models:
Translational correlation:
Multiple bands in TMED10 western blots may represent:
Protein processing:
Post-translational modifications:
Glycosylation, phosphorylation, or other modifications can alter migration patterns
Deglycosylation experiments with enzymes like PNGase F can help identify glycosylated forms
Protein complexes resistant to denaturation:
TMED10 forms homo-oligomers and heteromeric complexes with other TMED proteins
Ensure complete denaturation with sufficient SDS, heat, and reducing agents
Cross-reactivity:
Some antibodies may detect other TMED family members due to sequence similarity
Validate with TMED10 knockout/knockdown controls to identify specific bands
Resolution approaches:
Use gradient gels for better separation of closely migrating bands
Compare results with multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Include appropriate positive controls (overexpression) and negative controls (knockdown)
For optimal TMED10 detection in immunofluorescence:
Fixation options:
4% paraformaldehyde (10-15 minutes at room temperature) preserves morphology while maintaining antigenicity
Methanol fixation (-20°C for 10 minutes) may better expose some epitopes but can disrupt membrane structures
Test both methods to determine optimal conditions for your specific antibody
Permeabilization:
For PFA-fixed cells: 0.1-0.2% Triton X-100 (10 minutes) for complete permeabilization
For membrane proteins: gentler permeabilization with 0.1% saponin may preserve membrane localization
Some antibodies work better with specific permeabilization methods
Antigen retrieval:
For tissue sections: citrate buffer (pH 6.0) heat-induced epitope retrieval may improve detection
For cells: brief treatment with dilute SDS (0.1% for 5 minutes) can help expose masked epitopes
Blocking recommendations:
Use 5% normal serum from the same species as the secondary antibody
Add 1% BSA to reduce non-specific binding
Include 0.1% Tween-20 in blocking and antibody solutions to reduce background
Controls:
Include TMED10 knockdown/knockout cells as negative controls
Co-stain with markers for ER (calnexin), Golgi (GM130), or other compartments to confirm localization
To optimize co-IP for TMED10 protein interactions:
Lysis conditions:
For membrane proteins like TMED10, use non-denaturing detergents:
1% NP-40 or Triton X-100 for standard interactions
Milder detergents (0.5% CHAPS, 0.5% digitonin) for preserving more sensitive complexes
Include protease and phosphatase inhibitors to prevent degradation
Antibody selection:
Choose antibodies validated for IP applications
Avoid antibodies whose epitopes may be involved in protein interactions
Consider using tagged versions (V5, HA, Myc) of TMED10 with tag-specific antibodies
IP procedures:
Pre-clear lysates with protein A/G beads to reduce non-specific binding
Use proper antibody:bead ratios (typically 2-5 μg antibody per 20-50 μl beads)
For weak interactions, consider crosslinking approaches (e.g., DSP, formaldehyde)
Washing stringency:
For strong interactions: more stringent washes (higher salt, more detergent)
For weak interactions: gentler washes to preserve complexes
Always include a final wash with lower detergent concentration
Successful examples:
TMED10-ATG4B interactions were successfully detected using anti-HA, anti-V5, anti-Myc, and anti-Strep tag antibodies in overexpression systems
Endogenous TMED10-ATG4B interactions were detected using anti-TMED10 antibodies for IP followed by anti-ATG4B for western blot
TMED10 interactions with TGF-β receptors were demonstrated using co-IP approaches
Recent research has uncovered an unexpected role for TMED10 in immune regulation:
Understanding TMED10 regulation is still emerging:
Expression regulation:
Functional regulation:
TMED10 function appears to be regulated through:
Protein-protein interactions with other TMED family members
Changes in subcellular localization
Post-translational modifications
Interdependency with other TMED proteins:
Response to cellular stress:
Future directions:
Identification of upstream regulators of TMED10 expression
Characterization of post-translational modifications affecting TMED10 function
Development of tools to specifically modulate TMED10 activity without affecting protein levels
Integrative approaches can provide deeper insights into TMED10 biology:
Proteomics approaches:
Transcriptomics integration:
RNA-seq of TMED10 knockout versus wild-type cells reveals downstream transcriptional changes
Single-cell RNA-seq can identify cell populations affected by TMED10 perturbation
Integration with proteomics data can highlight post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms
Structural biology approaches:
Cryo-EM or X-ray crystallography of TMED10 alone or in complex with interaction partners
Structural information can guide the design of specific inhibitors or modulating peptides
Systems biology integration:
Network analysis to position TMED10 within cellular pathways
Mathematical modeling of protein trafficking with and without TMED10 function
Identification of key nodes that could be targeted alongside TMED10 for synergistic effects
Translational approaches:
Correlation of TMED10 levels with clinical outcomes in various diseases
Development of TMED10-based biomarkers for disease diagnosis or prognosis
Design of TMED10-targeting therapeutics based on integrated multi-omics data