The tRNA wybutosine-synthesizing protein 5 (TYW5) is a key enzyme involved in tRNA modification, specifically catalyzing the wybutosine biosynthesis pathway. The TYW5 Antibody, Biotin-conjugated is a rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against the recombinant human TYW5 protein (1–152 amino acids). Conjugation with biotin enables high-affinity binding to streptavidin or avidin, amplifying detection sensitivity in assays like ELISA .
The biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibody is validated for ELISA applications, leveraging the biotin-streptavidin system for signal amplification. This method enhances sensitivity compared to direct enzyme-linked antibodies, as demonstrated in studies using similar biotinylated antibodies .
Primary Antibody Binding: TYW5 antibody binds to immobilized TYW5 antigen.
Streptavidin Conjugate: Biotin on the antibody binds to streptavidin-HRP (horseradish peroxidase) or streptavidin-AP (alkaline phosphatase), enabling enzymatic detection .
While not explicitly reported for TYW5, biotin-conjugated antibodies are widely used in:
Western Blotting: Paired with streptavidin-HRP for enhanced band detection .
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Amplified staining via streptavidin-AP or streptavidin-fluorophores .
Affinity Purification: Biotinylated antibodies bound to streptavidin-coated beads isolate target proteins .
Endogenous Biotin Interference: High biotin levels in samples (e.g., egg yolk, liver) may saturate streptavidin, reducing assay accuracy. Blocking agents are required for mitochondrial or biotin-rich samples .
Chase Strategies: In in vivo imaging, unbound biotinylated antibodies can be cleared using neutravidin-QSY21 conjugates to improve tumor-to-background ratios .
Conjugation Efficiency: Biotin labeling ratios (e.g., ~11 biotin molecules per antibody in trastuzumab studies) must be optimized to avoid steric hindrance .
TYW5 is a tRNA-modifying enzyme that catalyzes specific steps in the wybutosine biosynthesis pathway. It plays a crucial role in post-translational modification of tRNA, specifically in the hydroxylation of the uridine residue at position 5 of tRNA-Tyr . This modification enhances translational fidelity by ensuring correct amino acid incorporation during protein synthesis.
The biotin conjugation in TYW5 antibodies serves several methodological purposes:
Signal Amplification: Biotin enables high-affinity binding to streptavidin or avidin, significantly amplifying detection sensitivity compared to direct enzyme-linked antibodies.
Multi-platform Compatibility: The biotin tag facilitates detection across various experimental platforms through secondary detection with streptavidin conjugates (HRP, AP, or fluorophores).
Stability Enhancement: Biotinylation has been demonstrated to improve protein stability and solubility without affecting folding or antigen recognition capacity .
The standard workflow involves primary binding of the TYW5 antibody to its target, followed by detection using streptavidin conjugated to reporter molecules such as HRP or fluorophores, creating a powerful signal amplification system for detecting even low levels of the target protein.
When optimizing ELISA protocols with biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies, researchers should consider several methodological approaches:
Begin with a broad range (0.1-10 μg/ml) of antibody concentrations to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio
The TYW5 Antibody, Biotin-conjugated has been validated specifically for ELISA applications, leveraging the biotin-streptavidin system for signal amplification
For maximum sensitivity, use streptavidin-HRP conjugates at 1:1000 to 1:5000 dilutions
For colorimetric assays, streptavidin-AP may provide lower background in certain sample types
Critical consideration: Implement biotin-free blocking buffers (e.g., casein-based or specialized commercial formulations)
Include avidin pre-treatment steps (15-30 minutes) when working with biotin-rich samples to minimize endogenous biotin interference
For the primary antibody binding step, extend incubation to 2 hours at room temperature or overnight at 4°C for improved sensitivity
For the streptavidin-conjugate step, limit incubation to 30-60 minutes to minimize non-specific binding
The Bridged Avidin-Biotin (BRAB) method may be particularly effective, where the antigen is "sandwiched" between an immobilized capture antibody and the biotin-labeled TYW5 antibody, followed by detection with avidin and a biotin-labeled enzyme .
Flow cytometry applications with biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies require specific optimization strategies:
Isolate target cells (e.g., PBMCs) and wash twice with 1X PBS before resuspending in FACS buffer (PBS with 2% bovine serum albumin and 0.1% sodium azide)
Include viability staining (e.g., LIVE/DEAD Fixable Blue Dead Cell Stain) to exclude non-viable cells that may bind antibodies non-specifically
Use 1 million cells per sample for optimal staining density
Co-stain with complementary markers (e.g., CD19, CD27, IgG) for comprehensive phenotyping
Incubate with the biotinylated TYW5 antibody at 4°C for 60 minutes
Use streptavidin conjugated to bright fluorophores (PE, APC, or BV421) at concentrations of 0.1-0.5 μg per test
Include appropriate compensation controls when multiplexing with other fluorescent antibodies
Always include an appropriate biotinylated isotype control antibody to establish background staining levels
Pre-block samples with unconjugated streptavidin (10-20 μg/ml for 15 minutes) if working with biotin-rich tissues
Consider using avidin pre-treatment followed by biotin blocking for tissues with high endogenous biotin
Researchers have successfully employed biotinylated proteins in flow cytometry to detect cell surface receptors and antibodies, particularly in studies involving B-cell immunology, as demonstrated by protocols detecting HIV-1 epitope-specific antibodies on B cells .
TYW5 has emerging implications in neurodevelopment and neurological disorders, which should inform experimental approaches with TYW5 antibodies:
Neural stem cells (NSCs) and primary neurons represent appropriate models, as TYW5 overexpression has been shown to significantly alter NSC proliferation and differentiation
When designing experiments, consider that TYW5 affects dendritic spine density, indicating its role in spine morphogenesis
TYW5 expression is upregulated in brains of schizophrenia patients compared to controls
Include appropriate neurotypical controls when studying TYW5 in neuropsychiatric contexts
Consider region-specific expression analysis, as the regulatory effect may vary across brain regions
CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing has confirmed regulatory effects on TYW5 expression
When manipulating TYW5, monitor downstream effects on neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation as functional readouts
Establish baseline TYW5 expression using the biotin-conjugated antibody in flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry
Manipulate TYW5 expression through overexpression or knockdown approaches
Assess functional outcomes on neurodevelopmental processes such as neurogenesis and synaptogenesis
Correlate findings with known TYW5 regulatory variants (e.g., rs796364 and rs281759) that confer schizophrenia risk
This approach leverages TYW5's established connections to neurodevelopment while utilizing the sensitivity advantages of biotin-conjugated antibodies for detection in complex neural tissues.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) with biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies presents several technical challenges requiring specific methodological approaches:
Brain and liver tissues contain high levels of endogenous biotin that may saturate streptavidin and reduce assay accuracy
Solution: Implement an endogenous biotin blocking step using avidin (15-30 minutes) followed by biotin (15-30 minutes) prior to antibody application
The amplification power of the biotin-streptavidin system can sometimes increase background staining
Solution: Use diluted antibody concentrations (typically 1:100 to 1:500) and implement stringent washing steps with detergent-containing buffers (0.1% Tween-20 in PBS)
For formalin-fixed tissues, TYW5 epitopes may require specific retrieval methods
Solution: Compare heat-induced epitope retrieval methods (citrate buffer pH 6.0 vs. EDTA buffer pH 9.0) to determine optimal conditions for TYW5 detection
Various streptavidin conjugates (HRP, AP, fluorophores) offer different sensitivity and localization capabilities
Solution: For co-localization studies, use streptavidin-conjugated fluorophores; for chromogenic detection, streptavidin-HRP with DAB substrate offers excellent sensitivity and permanence
Protocol Optimization Table for IHC with Biotin-Conjugated TYW5 Antibody:
| Parameter | Standard Approach | Optimized Approach for TYW5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue Fixation | 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin | 4% Paraformaldehyde, 24h maximum |
| Antigen Retrieval | Citrate buffer pH 6.0 | Test both Citrate pH 6.0 and EDTA pH 9.0 |
| Endogenous Biotin Blocking | Not standard | Avidin (15 min) followed by biotin (15 min) |
| Primary Antibody Dilution | 1:100 | Titrate between 1:100-1:500 |
| Primary Antibody Incubation | 1 hour, room temperature | Overnight at 4°C |
| Detection System | Streptavidin-HRP | Streptavidin-HRP with tyramide amplification |
| Counterstain | Hematoxylin | Light hematoxylin (to avoid masking signal) |
While not explicitly reported for TYW5, these approaches have proven effective for other biotin-conjugated antibodies in IHC applications .
Distinguishing between specific and non-specific binding is critical for generating reliable data with biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies:
Negative Controls: Include samples incubated with biotinylated isotype control antibodies of the same species and immunoglobulin class
Blocking Peptide Controls: Use TYW5 Neutralizing Peptide (available as sc-390701 P) to competitively inhibit specific binding
Knockout/Knockdown Controls: When possible, include samples from TYW5 knockout models or cell lines with CRISPR-mediated TYW5 deletion
Test the antibody on samples from multiple species (human, mouse, rat) to confirm expected cross-reactivity pattern
Compare staining patterns with alternative TYW5 antibodies (e.g., TYW5 Antibody G-9, a mouse monoclonal IgG2b that detects TYW5 in mouse, rat, and human samples)
Validate with orthogonal methods (e.g., if using the antibody for Western blot, confirm findings with mass spectrometry)
Absorption Test: Pre-incubate the antibody with recombinant TYW5 protein before application to samples; specific signal should be reduced or eliminated
Concentration Gradient: Test multiple antibody dilutions to identify the optimal concentration where specific signal is maintained but background is minimized
Western Blot Correlation: For cellular applications, confirm specificity by Western blot showing a single band of the expected molecular weight
Compare your observed expression patterns with published TYW5 expression data from PsychEncode and other databases
TYW5 shows specific expression patterns in brain tissue that can serve as internal validation
These approaches collectively build confidence in the specificity of signals obtained with biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies across experimental platforms.
Multiplexed detection leveraging biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies requires strategic planning and optimization:
Apply the biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibody as the first or last antibody in the sequence
Use streptavidin conjugated to a spectrally distinct fluorophore from other direct-labeled antibodies
Block any remaining biotin binding sites with excess unconjugated streptavidin before proceeding to the next antibody
Combine streptavidin-HRP with tyramide-conjugated fluorophores for amplified signal
This approach allows for antibody stripping and re-probing while retaining the fluorescent signal from TYW5 detection
Critical consideration: Carefully optimize the HRP inactivation between cycles to prevent cross-talk
Pair biotin-streptavidin detection of TYW5 with other systems such as digoxigenin-anti-digoxigenin or DNP-anti-DNP for other targets
This strategy minimizes cross-reactivity between detection systems in multiplexed assays
Implement appropriate blocking between detection steps to prevent non-specific binding
For high-dimensional analysis, consider conjugating the biotinylated TYW5 antibody with streptavidin-metal isotopes
This enables integration into CyTOF panels with 30+ parameters for comprehensive phenotyping
Carefully titrate the metal-labeled streptavidin to optimize signal intensity
Technical Considerations for Sample Types:
| Sample Type | Multiplexing Challenge | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Tissue | High autofluorescence | Use streptavidin-conjugated far-red fluorophores (Cy5, Alexa647) |
| PBMCs | Endogenous biotin | Pre-block with avidin-biotin system before staining |
| Fixed Cells | Epitope masking | Sequential detection with gentle stripping between antibodies |
| Fresh Tissue | Cross-reactivity | Orthogonal detection systems with spectral unmixing |
These multiplexing strategies enable researchers to simultaneously examine TYW5 alongside other proteins of interest, particularly valuable in neuroscience research where cell type-specific expression patterns are critical .
When introducing biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies to new experimental systems, comprehensive validation is essential:
Western Blot Verification: Confirm single band of expected molecular weight (approximately 66 kDa for human TYW5)
Positive Control Testing: Use cell lines or tissues with known TYW5 expression (e.g., neuroblastoma cell lines like SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH)
Immunoprecipitation Efficiency Assessment: Verify that the biotinylated antibody can efficiently pull down TYW5 from lysates
Cross-Reactivity Examination: Test on samples from multiple species if cross-species reactivity is claimed
Perform a streptavidin binding assay to confirm successful biotinylation
Compare detection sensitivity between the biotinylated antibody and an unconjugated version of the same antibody
Assess whether biotinylation has affected the antibody's ability to recognize the TYW5 epitope
For Flow Cytometry: Titrate antibody concentrations (typically 0.1-10 μg/ml) and optimize incubation conditions (time, temperature, buffer composition)
For IHC/IF: Test multiple fixation and permeabilization protocols to determine optimal epitope preservation
For ELISA: Develop standard curves using recombinant TYW5 protein to establish detection limits and linear range
Correlate TYW5 detection with known functional outcomes (e.g., effects on neural stem cell proliferation)
Compare results with published data on TYW5 expression in similar systems
Consider genetic manipulation (overexpression or knockdown) to confirm antibody specificity
These validation steps ensure that the biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibody performs reliably in your specific experimental system before proceeding to critical experiments, preventing potential misinterpretation of results due to antibody limitations.
The emerging role of TYW5 in neurodevelopment and schizophrenia provides important context for experimental applications:
TYW5 is significantly upregulated in brains of schizophrenia cases compared to controls
This finding suggests applications for biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies in comparative expression studies between patient-derived and control samples
Researchers should consider brain region-specific analysis, as expression patterns may vary across neuroanatomical structures
TYW5 overexpression significantly alters neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation
Biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies can be employed to track expression changes during critical neurodevelopmental windows
Consider co-staining with markers of neurogenesis (e.g., Sox2, Nestin) and differentiation (e.g., Map2, GFAP) for comprehensive analysis
Use biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies to quantify expression in dendritic spines
Correlate TYW5 levels with dendritic spine density and morphology measurements
Compare findings in control versus genetic models with TYW5 regulatory variants
This approach leverages the finding that TYW5 affects dendritic spine density, a key neurobiological feature altered in schizophrenia
TYW5 regulatory variants (rs796364 and rs281759) confer schizophrenia risk
Biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies enable precise quantification of how these variants affect protein expression
Consider analyzing TYW5 expression in model systems where these regulatory variants have been introduced via CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing
This emerging research context provides a framework for designing experiments with biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies that contribute to understanding the molecular basis of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Despite its advantages, researchers should be aware of several limitations when working with biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies:
Endogenous Biotin Interference: High biotin levels in samples (particularly in brain, liver, and egg yolk) may saturate streptavidin, reducing assay accuracy
Biotinylation of Lysine Residues: If lysines are present in TYW5's antigenic epitope, biotinylation may directly affect antibody-antigen binding
Detection System Constraints: The multi-step detection process (antibody → biotin → streptavidin → reporter) introduces additional variables and potential points of failure
Direct Fluorophore Conjugation:
HRP/AP Direct Conjugation:
Alternative TYW5 Antibody Formats:
Genetic Tagging Approaches:
Comparative Assessment Table:
Understanding these limitations allows researchers to make informed decisions about when to employ biotin-conjugated TYW5 antibodies versus alternative approaches based on their specific experimental requirements .