TTK is a 97 kDa serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase encoded by the TTK gene (UniProt ID: P33981) . Key functions include:
Regulation of mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation
Enhancement of Aurora kinase B (AURKB) activity at centromeres
Involvement in cell proliferation, particularly in cancers like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
TTK overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in TNBC, making it a therapeutic target . Its role in maintaining genomic stability during mitosis underscores its research importance .
Protocol:
Staining Protocol:
Buffer Compatibility:
Stability: HRP activity diminishes over time; stabilizers like LifeXtend™ recommended for prolonged storage .
TTK depletion in TNBC cell lines reduces viability and induces apoptosis .
Overexpression confirmed via IHC in 80% of TNBC biopsies compared to non-TNBC subtypes .
TTK (also known as Mps1) is a dual-specificity protein kinase that phosphorylates proteins on serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues. It is primarily associated with cell proliferation and plays essential roles in chromosome alignment and the mitotic checkpoint. Specifically, TTK enhances Aurora B kinase (AURKB) activity at the centromere through direct phosphorylation of CDCA8, which is crucial for proper chromosome alignment during mitosis. This activity is essential for maintaining genomic stability during cell division .
TTK antibodies, especially HRP-conjugated versions, are utilized in several key applications in academic research:
| Application | Typical Dilution Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Western Blot (WB) | 1:300-5000 | Detection of TTK protein in cell/tissue lysates |
| ELISA | 1:500-10000 | Quantitative detection of TTK |
| IHC-P | 1:100-400 | Detection in paraffin-embedded tissues |
| IHC-F | 1:100-500 | Detection in frozen tissue sections |
HRP conjugation provides signal amplification through enzymatic reaction with substrate, enabling sensitive detection without the need for secondary antibody incubation .
For optimal preservation of activity, TTK antibody, HRP conjugated should be stored at -20°C for long-term storage. For frequent use, 4°C storage for up to one month is acceptable. It is crucial to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles as they can significantly compromise antibody activity and HRP enzyme function. Commercial formulations typically contain 50% glycerol, 0.5-1% BSA, and buffer components that maintain stability. Importantly, sodium azide should be avoided in HRP-conjugated antibodies as it irreversibly inhibits HRP activity .
Commercial TTK antibodies demonstrate varying species reactivity profiles:
| Product Source | Reactive Species |
|---|---|
| Bioss | Human, Mouse, Rat, Dog, Cow, Pig, Rabbit |
| Boster Bio | Human, Mouse |
| Cusabio | Human |
When working with species not explicitly validated by manufacturers, researchers should perform thorough validation experiments before proceeding with full-scale studies .
TTK plays a critical role in the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), which prevents anaphase onset until all chromosomes are properly attached to the mitotic spindle. Its kinase activity directly impacts chromosome alignment by enhancing AURKB activity through phosphorylation of CDCA8 at the centromere. This phosphorylation cascade is essential for monitoring proper chromosome alignment and preventing chromosomal instability .
When investigating TTK's role in mitotic progression, researchers should consider:
Cell synchronization methods to enrich for mitotic populations
Co-staining with mitotic markers (phospho-histone H3, cyclin B1)
Using TTK inhibitors as experimental controls
Correlation of TTK phosphorylation status with mitotic checkpoint activation
For optimal Western blot performance with TTK antibody, HRP conjugated:
Sample preparation:
Include protease and phosphatase inhibitors
Use appropriate lysis buffers (RIPA or NP-40 based)
Clear lysates by high-speed centrifugation
Buffer optimization:
Blocking buffer: 5% non-fat dry milk or 3-5% BSA in TBST
Antibody diluent: 1% BSA in TBST (ensure absence of sodium azide)
Wash buffer: TBST with thorough washing (4-5 times for 5-10 minutes each)
Antibody concentration:
Start with 1:500-1:2000 dilution
Optimize based on signal-to-noise ratio
Detection considerations:
Comprehensive validation of TTK antibody specificity should include:
Positive and negative controls:
Cell lines with known TTK expression levels
Tissue panels with documented TTK expression patterns
Genetic manipulation:
siRNA/shRNA knockdown of TTK
CRISPR/Cas9 knockout validation
Overexpression systems
Biochemical validation:
Peptide competition assay with immunizing peptide
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
Comparison with multiple antibodies targeting different TTK epitopes
Application-specific controls:
Fixation and antigen retrieval significantly impact TTK antibody performance in immunohistochemistry:
Fixation recommendations:
10% neutral-buffered formalin (24-48 hours optimal)
Avoid overfixation which can mask epitopes
Alternative fixatives (methanol/acetone) may preserve certain epitopes better
Antigen retrieval optimization:
Heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER)
Trial both citrate buffer (pH 6.0) and EDTA buffer (pH 9.0)
Optimize retrieval time (typically 10-30 minutes)
Blocking considerations:
Use serum from the same species as the secondary antibody
Consider specialized blocking for endogenous peroxidase and biotin
Dilution recommendation:
When preparing custom TTK-HRP conjugates, buffer conditions are critical for conjugation efficiency:
Recommended buffer composition:
10-50mM amine-free buffer (HEPES, MES, MOPS, phosphate)
pH range: 6.5-8.5
Avoid buffers containing nucleophilic components (primary amines, thiols)
Tris buffer can be tolerated at low concentrations (<20mM)
Components to avoid:
Sodium azide (irreversible HRP inhibitor)
Thiomersal/thimerosal (contains reactive thiols)
Primary amine-containing buffers
Optimal antibody conditions:
To optimize signal-to-noise ratio with TTK antibody, HRP conjugated:
Blocking optimization:
Test different blocking agents (5% milk, 3-5% BSA, commercial blockers)
Increase blocking time (1-2 hours at room temperature or overnight at 4°C)
Antibody dilution optimization:
Start with manufacturer's recommendation
Prepare a dilution series to identify optimal concentration
For Western blot: typically 1:500-1:2000
For IHC: typically 1:100-1:300
For ELISA: typically 1:10000
Washing protocol enhancement:
Increase number of washes (4-5 times)
Extend wash duration (5-10 minutes per wash)
Consider adding 0.1-0.2% Tween-20 to reduce non-specific binding
HRP-specific considerations:
For rigorous cell cycle analysis of TTK expression:
Cell synchronization controls:
Synchronized populations at defined cell cycle phases
Nocodazole or thymidine block protocols for mitotic enrichment
Serum starvation for G0/G1 arrest
Expression validation controls:
Cell lines with characterized TTK expression patterns
Genetic manipulation (knockdown/knockout/overexpression)
Pharmacological TTK inhibitor controls (e.g., reversine)
Co-staining validation:
Cell cycle phase markers (cyclin proteins, Ki-67, phospho-histone H3)
Co-localization with centromere/kinetochore markers
Nuclear counterstaining (DAPI, Hoechst)
Quantification approaches:
When applying TTK antibody across multiple species:
Epitope analysis approach:
Compare sequence homology of the immunogen region across target species
Focus on antibodies raised against conserved regions when multi-species detection is required
Review available reactivity data from manufacturers
Experimental validation strategy:
Test antibody performance on known positive controls from each species
Include negative controls (knockdown/knockout samples if available)
Perform peptide competition assays with species-specific peptides
Application optimization:
Adjust antibody concentration for each species separately
Modify buffer conditions based on species-specific requirements
Consider species-specific secondary antibodies for indirect detection methods
Alternative approaches when cross-reactivity fails:
Optimal quantification methods vary by application:
Western blot quantification:
Densitometry with normalization to loading controls (β-actin, GAPDH)
Establish linear range using dilution series
Use digital imaging systems with appropriate dynamic range
Immunohistochemistry quantification:
H-score system (intensity × percentage positive cells)
Digital image analysis for staining intensity
Comparison with known positive/negative controls
Immunofluorescence quantification:
Integrated density measurements
Mean fluorescence intensity
Colocalization analysis with cell cycle markers
ELISA quantification: