UBE2E2 antibodies have been successfully validated for multiple applications in research settings. Western blot (WB) applications typically use dilutions between 1:500-1:10000 depending on the specific antibody. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) typically requires dilutions of 1:20-1:200, while immunofluorescence/immunocytochemistry (IF/ICC) applications use 1:10-1:100 dilutions . When performing ELISA, specific binding protocols should be followed according to manufacturer recommendations. The antibody has been demonstrated to produce positive Western blot results with human thyroid gland tissue, human brain tissue, and mouse embryo tissue samples .
Validating antibody specificity is essential to ensure reliable experimental results. For UBE2E2 antibodies, a multi-step approach is recommended:
Knockdown/knockout validation: Compare antibody signals between normal cells and UBE2E2-knockdown or knockout cells. For example, UBE2E2-knockout cell lines created using CRISPR/Cas9 technology (targeting exon 2 of human UBE2E2) can serve as negative controls .
Site-directed mutagenesis: Validate binding specificity by testing against mutant forms of UBE2E2. Mutations in the active site cysteine (Cys139) have been shown to impair both function and cellular distribution of UBE2E2 .
Cross-reactivity assessment: Test the antibody against related E2 enzymes, particularly those in the UBE2E family (UBE2E1, UBE2E3) to ensure specificity.
Multiple tissue validation: Confirm detection in multiple tissues known to express UBE2E2, such as human pancreas, brain tissue, and cell lines like HeLa, LNCaP, 293T, and Jurkat cells .
The choice between polyclonal and monoclonal UBE2E2 antibodies depends on your specific experimental needs:
Polyclonal UBE2E2 antibodies (e.g., 11844-1-AP): These recognize multiple epitopes on the UBE2E2 protein, typically providing higher sensitivity but potentially lower specificity. They're generated in rabbits using UBE2E2 fusion proteins as immunogens. These antibodies are suitable for researchers seeking to maximize detection in applications like Western blotting or IHC across multiple species (human, mouse, rat) .
Monoclonal UBE2E2 antibodies (e.g., EPR13003(B), CPTC-UBE2E2-3): These recognize a single epitope, offering higher specificity at potentially lower sensitivity. Monoclonal antibodies like EPR13003(B) are recombinant antibodies generated with defined epitope recognition, providing consistent lot-to-lot reproducibility. Mouse monoclonal antibodies like CPTC-UBE2E2-3 have been validated through indirect ELISA showing high binding affinity .
The optimal choice depends on your application, with monoclonals preferred for highly specific detection and polyclonals for maximum sensitivity across species.
For optimal Western blot results with UBE2E2 antibodies, follow these evidence-based protocols:
| Parameter | Recommended Conditions |
|---|---|
| Sample preparation | Use RIPA or NP-40 lysis buffer with protease inhibitors |
| Protein loading | 10-20 μg total protein per lane |
| Gel percentage | 12-15% SDS-PAGE (optimal for 22 kDa proteins) |
| Transfer | Wet transfer recommended (100V for 1 hour or 30V overnight) |
| Blocking | 5% non-fat milk in TBST, 1 hour at room temperature |
| Primary antibody | 1:500-1:10000 dilution (antibody dependent) in blocking buffer |
| Incubation | Overnight at 4°C with gentle rocking |
| Secondary antibody | Anti-rabbit or anti-mouse HRP at 1:2000-1:15000 dilution |
| Detection | Standard ECL detection systems |
| Expected band size | 22 kDa |
For antibodies like EPR13003(B), a higher dilution (1:10000) has been validated with HeLa, LNCaP, 293T, and Jurkat cell lysates loaded at 10 μg per lane . When troubleshooting, remember that UBE2E2 can undergo post-translational modifications, potentially causing slight shifts in molecular weight.
To investigate UBE2E2's role in ubiquitination pathways, consider the following experimental approaches:
In vitro ubiquitination assays: Reconstruct the ubiquitination cascade using recombinant UBE2E2, E1 enzyme, ubiquitin, and potential substrate proteins. This allows monitoring of 'Lys-11'-, 'Lys-48'-, and 'Lys-63'-linked polyubiquitination activities catalyzed by UBE2E2 .
Proteofection studies: Introduce recombinant UBE2E2 directly into cells to observe effects on specific substrate levels. This approach has been used to demonstrate UBE2E2's role in downregulating VEGFR2 levels in endothelial cells .
Cycloheximide chase assays: Combine UBE2E2 knockdown with cycloheximide treatment to assess protein stability and turnover rates of potential substrates, as demonstrated with VEGFR2 .
Structure-based mutagenesis: Generate UBE2E2 mutants with alterations at the active site cysteine (Cys139) to study the impact on enzyme function and cellular distribution .
Co-immunoprecipitation: Use UBE2E2 antibodies to identify novel E3 ligase partners and substrate proteins. Previous studies have used this approach to demonstrate direct interactions between UBE2E2 and proteins like Nrf2 .
These approaches can be combined to build a comprehensive understanding of UBE2E2's specific roles in different ubiquitination pathways.
For reliable immunoprecipitation (IP) experiments with UBE2E2 antibodies, include these essential controls:
Input control: Reserve 5-10% of pre-IP lysate to confirm the presence of target proteins.
Isotype control: Use matched IgG (rabbit IgG for rabbit anti-UBE2E2 antibodies) to assess non-specific binding.
Knockout/knockdown control: Include lysates from UBE2E2 knockout or knockdown cells to validate antibody specificity. CRISPR/Cas9-generated UBE2E2 knockout cells targeting exon 2 have been successfully used as negative controls .
Pre-clearing control: Compare pre-cleared versus non-pre-cleared lysates to assess improvement in specificity.
Reciprocal IP: For protein-protein interaction studies, confirm interactions by performing IP with antibodies against suspected interaction partners (e.g., Nrf2 for UBE2E2-Nrf2 interactions) .
Post-IP supernatant: Analyze to confirm depletion of the target protein.
Denaturing IP control: For studying ubiquitination, include samples with denaturation steps (1% SDS, 95°C) before IP to disrupt protein complexes and ensure detection of covalent ubiquitin modifications.
The N-terminal region of UBE2E2 (residues 1-52) has been identified as critical for protein interactions, so consider this when designing experiments and interpreting results .
UBE2E2 antibodies can provide valuable insights into various disease mechanisms:
Type 2 Diabetes Research: UBE2E2 has been implicated in maintaining normal insulin biosynthesis, secretion, and signaling in pancreatic β cells . Researchers can use UBE2E2 antibodies to:
Assess protein expression in pancreatic tissue from diabetic vs. healthy subjects
Study co-localization with insulin production machinery
Investigate associations with glucose-stimulated insulin response pathways
Examine how the C risk allele of rs7612463 affects UBE2E2 expression and function
Cancer Research: UBE2E2 promotes ovarian cancer metastasis through the UBE2E2-Nrf2-p62-Snail signaling axis . Antibodies can be used to:
Examine expression patterns in tumor vs. normal tissue (UBE2E2 is upregulated in ovarian cancer)
Monitor epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes
Study interactions with Nrf2 and effects on p62 accumulation
Assess the impact of UBE2E2 inhibition on cancer cell migration and metastasis
Neurodegenerative Disease Research: UBE2E2 interacts with TDP-43, which forms protein aggregates in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia . Researchers can:
Study co-localization with TDP-43 aggregates
Investigate UBE2E2's role in protein ubiquitination and clearance mechanisms
Examine effects on neurotoxicity in cellular and animal models
For each application, include appropriate controls and consider using complementary techniques such as RNA interference, overexpression studies, and functional assays to validate findings.
Understanding UBE2E2's interactions with E3 ligases is crucial for elucidating its specific roles in ubiquitin-mediated pathways. Several approaches can be employed:
Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening: This has been validated for E2/E3-RING interactions with >94% of E2/E3-RING interactions reported being novel . When designing Y2H experiments:
Consider the inherent challenges of modeling complexes with distant E2 family members
Be aware that not all complexes with favorable free-energy values (ΔGint) are detected in Y2H assays
Use appropriate controls to validate interactions
Structure-based mutagenesis: Based on X-ray and NMR structures of E2/E3-RING complexes, target conserved amino acids within E3-RING proteins required for E2 binding but not structural integrity .
In silico prediction and validation: Computational approaches like the Hi-map and IntNet databases can predict E2/E3 interactions, though validation rates vary (28.6% and 11.6% respectively) . Higher confidence predictions are more frequently verified.
Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET): This technique allows real-time monitoring of protein-protein interactions in living cells, suitable for detecting dynamic E2/E3 interactions.
Proximity ligation assay (PLA): This method can visualize endogenous protein-protein interactions with high specificity and sensitivity, ideal for studying UBE2E2 interactions with E3 ligases in their native cellular environment.
When validating predicted interactions, consider that Interolog data from other Y2H studies has shown a validation rate of >84%, suggesting the reliability of this approach for E2/E3 interaction studies .
UBE2E2's involvement in diverse cellular pathways can be investigated using various antibody-based techniques:
Antioxidant response pathway: UBE2E2 promotes p62 accumulation and increases Nrf2-ARE system activity . Investigate this pathway using:
Co-immunoprecipitation with Nrf2 antibodies (N-terminal of UBE2E2, residues 1-52, is required for interaction)
Immunofluorescence co-localization studies with p62 and Nrf2
ChIP assays to examine Nrf2 binding to ARE elements in the presence/absence of UBE2E2
Protein degradation pathways: UBE2E2 influences VEGFR2 levels and turnover in endothelial cells . Study this using:
Cycloheximide chase assays combined with UBE2E2 knockdown
Immunoblotting to monitor mature VEGFR2 levels
Ubiquitination assays to detect UBE2E2-mediated ubiquitination of client proteins
EMT signaling axis: UBE2E2 activates the Snail signaling pathway by inhibiting ubiquitin-mediated degradation of Snail . Examine this using:
Western blot analysis of Snail levels after UBE2E2 manipulation
Co-localization studies to visualize interactions
Combined knockdown experiments to establish pathway directionality
TDP-43 aggregation: UBE2E2 influences TDP-43 ubiquitination, aggregation, and neurotoxic properties . Investigate using:
Immunofluorescence to detect co-localization with TDP-43 aggregates
Biochemical fractionation to separate soluble and insoluble protein fractions
Ubiquitination assays to detect UBE2E2-mediated modification of TDP-43
For all these approaches, appropriate knockdown/knockout controls are essential. CRISPR/Cas9 technology targeting exon 2 of human UBE2E2 has been successfully used to create knockout cell lines for validation purposes .
When facing challenges with UBE2E2 antibody performance, consider these evidence-based troubleshooting approaches:
For validation, compare results with different UBE2E2 antibodies (e.g., CPTC-UBE2E2-2 and CPTC-UBE2E2-3) or using recombinant UBE2E2 as a positive control .
Distinguishing between highly similar UBE2E family members requires careful experimental design:
Antibody selection strategies:
Choose antibodies raised against unique regions of UBE2E2
Validate specificity using knockdown/knockout experiments for each family member
Test cross-reactivity with recombinant UBE2E1, UBE2E2, and UBE2E3 proteins
Western blot optimization:
Use higher percentage gels (15-18%) to better separate similarly sized UBE2E proteins
Run longer separation times to distinguish subtle size differences
Include positive controls for each family member
Consider 2D gel electrophoresis to separate based on both size and isoelectric point
Functional discrimination:
qRT-PCR for validation:
Design primers specific to unique regions of each UBE2E family member
Confirm specificity using known positive and negative samples
Use as complementary validation for protein-level experiments
When designing experiments, note that while UBE2E family members share high sequence homology, they can have distinct functions. For example, in endothelial cells, only UBE2E1 and UBE2E2 (not UBE2E3 or UBE2E4) significantly affect VEGFR2 levels .
When designing multicolor immunofluorescence experiments involving UBE2E2 antibodies, consider these technical aspects:
Antibody compatibility:
For co-staining with UBE2E2, select antibodies raised in different host species (e.g., mouse anti-UBE2E2 with rabbit antibodies against other targets)
For same-species antibodies, use directly conjugated primary antibodies or sequential staining protocols
Subcellular localization considerations:
Optimal fixation and permeabilization:
| Target Combination | Recommended Fixation | Permeabilization |
|---|---|---|
| UBE2E2 + Nrf2 | 4% PFA, 15 min, RT | 0.1% Triton X-100, 10 min |
| UBE2E2 + p62 | 4% PFA, 15 min, RT | 0.2% Triton X-100, 5 min |
| UBE2E2 + TDP-43 | Methanol, 10 min, -20°C | Not required |
Signal amplification strategies:
Controls and validation:
Include single-color controls to assess bleed-through
Use appropriate blocking to minimize non-specific binding (5-10% serum from secondary antibody host species)
For subcellular fractionation validation, complement IF studies with biochemical approaches
HepG2 cells have been successfully used for IF/ICC with UBE2E2 antibodies and can serve as a positive control for protocol optimization .
UBE2E2 has established connections to type 2 diabetes (T2D) through genetic and functional studies. Here's how to leverage UBE2E2 antibodies for diabetes research:
Genetic risk correlation studies:
Use UBE2E2 antibodies to compare protein expression levels in tissues from individuals with different genotypes of the rs7612463 risk allele
The C risk allele of rs7612463 has been associated with impaired β-cell function and decreased glucose-stimulated insulin response
Measure UBE2E2 expression in pancreatic islets across genotypes to establish genotype-expression correlations
Insulin secretion pathway investigations:
Examine UBE2E2 localization in pancreatic β-cells under normal and diabetic conditions
Perform co-immunoprecipitation to identify UBE2E2 interaction partners in insulin-secreting cells
Investigate how UBE2E2 expression levels correlate with markers of β-cell function such as:
Insulinogenic index (IGI)
BIGTT-acute insulin response (BIGTT-AIR)
Corrected insulin response (CIR)
Mechanistic studies:
Use UBE2E2 antibodies to monitor protein levels before and after glucose stimulation
Investigate UBE2E2's role in insulin biosynthesis through pulse-chase experiments
Examine post-translational modifications of UBE2E2 in response to hyperglycemia
Therapeutic target validation:
Test whether modulating UBE2E2 expression/activity can improve insulin secretion in cellular or animal models
Use immunohistochemistry to monitor changes in UBE2E2 distribution following treatment with anti-diabetic agents
Research has demonstrated that UBE2E2 plays a pivotal role in maintaining normal insulin biosynthesis, secretion, and signaling in pancreatic β cells, making it a valuable target for understanding T2D pathogenesis .
UBE2E2 has been implicated in ovarian cancer progression through several mechanisms. Here are methodological approaches using UBE2E2 antibodies to investigate its role in cancer:
Expression profiling in clinical samples:
Mechanistic pathway analysis:
UBE2E2-Nrf2-p62-Snail signaling axis:
Co-immunoprecipitation to confirm direct interaction between UBE2E2 and Nrf2
Immunofluorescence to demonstrate co-localization
Western blot to monitor effects on p62 accumulation and Snail stability
Functional assays to assess epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers
Structure-function relationship studies:
In vivo validation:
Use UBE2E2 antibodies for tissue analysis in xenograft models
Compare tumors derived from UBE2E2-knockout vs. wild-type cancer cells
Assess metastatic potential through immunohistochemical staining of target organs
Therapeutic development assessment:
Monitor changes in UBE2E2 expression and pathway activation following treatment with:
Ubiquitination inhibitors
Nrf2 pathway modulators
EMT inhibitors
Methodologically, combining IHC (1:20-1:200 dilution), Western blot (1:500-1:1000 dilution), and immunofluorescence (1:10-1:100 dilution) provides a comprehensive view of UBE2E2's role in cancer progression .
UBE2E2 plays a role in neurodegenerative conditions through its interaction with TDP-43, a protein that forms aggregates in diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here's how UBE2E2 antibodies can advance this research:
Pathological aggregate characterization:
Use immunohistochemistry to examine co-localization of UBE2E2 with TDP-43 in:
Post-mortem brain and spinal cord tissues from ALS/FTD patients
Animal models of TDP-43 proteinopathies
Cellular models with induced TDP-43 aggregation
Apply UBE2E2 antibodies to determine if it is sequestered in pathological inclusions
Ubiquitination pathway analysis:
Perform co-immunoprecipitation to detect UBE2E2-TDP-43 complexes
Use ubiquitin antibodies in conjunction with UBE2E2 and TDP-43 antibodies to:
Characterize ubiquitin chain types (Lys-11, Lys-48, or Lys-63 linked)
Map ubiquitination sites on TDP-43
Monitor temporal dynamics of ubiquitination in disease progression
Mechanistic intervention studies:
Manipulate UBE2E2 levels (knockdown/overexpression) and assess effects on:
TDP-43 aggregation
Neuronal toxicity
Protein clearance mechanisms
Use UBE2E2 antibodies to confirm manipulation efficacy
Biomarker development:
Evaluate UBE2E2 levels in accessible biofluids (CSF, blood) in correlation with:
Disease status
Disease progression
Response to experimental therapies
Therapeutic target validation:
Use UBE2E2 antibodies to monitor effects of:
Proteasome modulators
Autophagy enhancers
Small molecule inhibitors of protein aggregation