USA1 Antibody

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Description

Protein Structure

USAG1 is a secreted, monomeric glycoprotein belonging to the sclerostin family, with a molecular weight of 26–32 kDa . Key structural features include:

  • 183 amino acids in mature human USAG1 .

  • CTCK domain (aa 75–170) critical for binding BMPs and LRP6 .

  • Two N-linked glycosylation sites influencing protein stability .

Functional Roles

USAG1 modulates two major signaling pathways:

TargetBinding PartnersMechanism
BMPsBMP-2, -4, -6, -7Sequesters BMPs, inhibiting BMP receptor activation and downstream signaling .
Wnt pathwayLRP6Weakly activates LRP6 while blocking Wnt binding, reducing Wnt signaling .

Antibody Types and Suppliers

Commercial USAG1 antibodies are widely available, with key products including:

Clone NameApplicationsReactivityConjugateSupplier
AF7034Western Blot (WB)HumanUnconjugatedR&D Systems
NBP2-89046WB, IHCMouseUnconjugatedNovus Biologicals
MBS9407855ELISA, WBHuman, MouseUnconjugatedMyBioSource

Research Findings

  • Cancer Research: USAG1 is implicated in tumorigenesis, with studies showing its overexpression in renal and endometrial cancers . Antibodies targeting USAG1 have been used to inhibit cancer cell proliferation in vitro .

  • Dental Biology: USAG1 regulates enamel formation by modulating BMP signaling in dental ameloblasts .

  • Renal Function: USAG1 is expressed in renal distal tubules and macula densa cells, influencing electrolyte homeostasis .

Validation and Challenges

  • Specificity: Validation often involves peptide-blocking assays and KO cell lines to confirm target binding .

  • Cross-Reactivity: Some antibodies show cross-reactivity with mouse USAG1 due to 97% amino acid homology .

  • Data Repositories: The Observed Antibody Space (OAS) database provides ~1.5 billion annotated antibody sequences, including USAG1-related data .

Future Directions

  • Therapeutic Potential: USAG1 antibodies are being explored for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in solid tumors .

  • Biomarker Development: High-affinity USAG1 antibodies may aid in detecting early-stage cancers .

Product Specs

Buffer
**Preservative:** 0.03% Proclin 300
**Constituents:** 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4
Form
Liquid
Lead Time
Made-to-order (14-16 weeks)
Synonyms
USA1 antibody; YML029W antibody; U1 SNP1-associating protein 1 antibody
Target Names
USA1
Uniprot No.

Target Background

Function
USA1 is a scaffold protein essential for the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway, also known as endoplasmic reticulum quality control (ERQC). This pathway plays a crucial role in the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of misfolded endoplasmic reticulum proteins. USA1 is a component of the HRD1 ubiquitin ligase complex, which participates in both the ERAD-L and ERAD-M pathways. These pathways are responsible for the rapid degradation of misfolded proteins: ERAD-L targets soluble lumenal and membrane proteins with misfolded lumenal domains, while ERAD-M targets ER-membrane proteins with misfolded transmembrane domains. USA1 has multiple functions in ERAD, including the recruitment of DER1 to the HRD1 ubiquitin ligase and the regulation of HRD1 activity. It is also involved in the oligomerization of HRD1 and in HRD1 autoubiquitination and degradation.
Gene References Into Functions
  1. USA1 plays a crucial role in ERAD substrate ubiquitylation. PMID: 19898607
Database Links

KEGG: sce:YML029W

STRING: 4932.YML029W

Subcellular Location
Endoplasmic reticulum membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein.

Q&A

What is USA1 Antibody and how does it function in experimental systems?

USA1 Antibody is a Y-shaped protein that recognizes and binds to specific target antigens with high affinity. Like other antibodies, it functions through specific molecular interactions that allow it to identify and attach to unwanted or harmful objects such as viruses and bacteria . The binding mechanism involves complex interactions between the antibody's variable regions and epitopes on the target antigen.

When designing experiments with USA1 Antibody, researchers should consider both its binding affinity and specificity profile. The antibody's effectiveness depends on how well it recognizes its intended target while avoiding cross-reactivity with similar antigens. This is particularly important when discriminating between chemically similar ligands that cannot be experimentally dissociated from other epitopes present in the selection .

What are the recommended reporting practices when using USA1 Antibody in publications?

Proper reporting of USA1 Antibody use is essential for experimental reproducibility. When publishing research utilizing this antibody, researchers should include comprehensive details including:

  • Complete source information (company, supplier)

  • Catalog and lot numbers to address batch-to-batch variability

  • Host species in which the antibody was raised

  • The specific application(s) for which the antibody was used

  • Dilution factors and incubation conditions

  • Validation methods employed to confirm specificity

  • The specific antigen/epitope recognized

Omission of these key details makes it difficult for reviewers to assess the reliability of presented data and impedes other researchers' ability to accurately reproduce experiments. Recent studies have highlighted that only a small percentage of landmark research papers can be fully replicated, emphasizing the critical importance of detailed antibody reporting .

How should validation of USA1 Antibody be performed for different experimental applications?

Validation of USA1 Antibody should be tailored to its intended application. For different experimental techniques, consider the following validation approaches:

ApplicationRecommended Validation MethodsKey Parameters to Report
Western BlottingPositive/negative controls, molecular weight confirmation, knockout/knockdown controlsDilution, exposure time, blocking conditions
ImmunohistochemistryTissue controls, peptide competition assays, comparison with other antibodiesAntigen retrieval method, dilution, detection system
Flow CytometryKnown positive/negative cell populations, isotype controls, comparison with other markersConcentration, staining protocol, gating strategy
ELISAStandard curves, spike recovery, precision assessmentCoating conditions, detection antibody, sensitivity limits
ImmunoprecipitationInput controls, non-specific binding assessmentBead type, washing conditions, elution method

Regardless of application, researchers should verify that the USA1 Antibody demonstrates appropriate sensitivity and specificity for the target of interest under the specific experimental conditions being used . This validation is critical as antibody performance can vary significantly depending on the application, sample preparation methods, and experimental conditions.

What factors influence USA1 Antibody binding in serology studies?

Several factors can affect USA1 Antibody binding and performance in serology and surveillance studies:

  • Age of subjects: Antibody positivity typically decreases with increasing age, with particularly notable reductions in older age groups (75 years and above) .

  • Sex differences: Females generally exhibit higher antibody positivity compared to males .

  • Previous infection status: Individuals with prior infection history demonstrate significantly higher antibody responses .

  • Comorbidities: Specific conditions can reduce antibody positivity, including:

    • Obesity

    • Transplant recipients

    • Diabetes

    • Chronic kidney disease

    • Liver disease

    • Neurological disease

    • Depression

  • Lifestyle factors: Smoking is associated with lower antibody responses .

Understanding these factors is crucial when designing studies using USA1 Antibody, as they may introduce confounding variables that need to be accounted for in experimental design and data interpretation.

What are the optimal storage and handling conditions for USA1 Antibody?

Proper storage and handling of USA1 Antibody is essential to maintain its functionality and specificity. While specific conditions may vary slightly depending on the formulation, general best practices include:

  • Store antibody aliquots at -20°C for long-term storage

  • Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by preparing appropriate working aliquots

  • For short-term use (1-2 weeks), store at 4°C

  • Protect from prolonged exposure to light, particularly for fluorophore-conjugated versions

  • Follow manufacturer's recommendations for buffer conditions

  • Use appropriate preservatives for diluted working solutions

  • Monitor expiration dates and lot numbers to track batch variations

Improper handling can lead to reduced binding efficiency, increased background, or complete loss of activity, compromising experimental results.

How can computational models enhance USA1 Antibody specificity analysis?

Computational modeling offers powerful approaches to analyze and enhance USA1 Antibody specificity. Recent research has developed improved computational methods that simplify the complex molecular interactions antibodies need to find and attach to targets .

These models can:

  • Account for binding efficacy and potential adverse effects

  • Streamline collected data to identify patterns in antibody effectiveness

  • Separate different binding modes associated with particular ligands

  • Disentangle binding modes even when associated with chemically similar ligands

The computational approach developed by UCLA researchers enables biophysics-informed modeling that can predict antibody-antigen interactions with remarkable accuracy. This method involves:

  • Identification of different binding modes

  • Association of each mode with particular ligands

  • Using data from phage display experiments to validate the model

  • Employing the model to design antibodies with customized specificity profiles

For researchers working with USA1 Antibody, implementing such computational approaches can significantly enhance experimental design by allowing prediction of cross-reactivity, optimization of binding conditions, and even the design of modified versions with improved specificity profiles.

What strategies can optimize USA1 Antibody for discriminating between similar epitopes?

Optimizing USA1 Antibody for discriminating between similar epitopes requires sophisticated approaches combining experimental and computational methods. Current research demonstrates that antibody sequences can be designed with predefined binding profiles, either cross-specific (interacting with several distinct ligands) or specific (interacting with a single ligand while excluding others) .

The optimization process involves:

  • Energy function optimization: Minimizing energy functions associated with desired ligands while maximizing those associated with undesired ligands .

  • Phage display selection: Conducting multiple rounds of selection against various combinations of ligands to identify antibody variants with desired specificity profiles .

  • Computational sequence analysis: Identifying key residues that contribute to specificity and cross-reactivity.

  • Targeted mutagenesis: Introducing specific mutations to enhance binding to desired epitopes while reducing interactions with similar but unwanted targets.

  • Validation through multiple methods: Confirming specificity through orthogonal techniques such as surface plasmon resonance, bio-layer interferometry, and cell-based assays.

These approaches allow researchers to engineer USA1 Antibody variants with fine-tuned specificity profiles, even when targeting epitopes with minimal structural or chemical differences.

How does USA1 Antibody performance compare in population-level antibody surveillance studies?

In population-level antibody surveillance studies, USA1 Antibody performance follows patterns similar to other antibodies used in serological testing, with several important considerations:

Antibody positivity typically follows a predictable pattern over time:

  • Peaks 4-5 weeks after initial antigen exposure

  • Gradually declines thereafter

  • Shows significant variation based on demographic factors

Key factors affecting USA1 Antibody detection in population studies include:

  • Age stratification: Detection rates decline with age, particularly in individuals over 75 years, where positivity may drop to around 72.7% (70.9–74.4%) compared to nearly 100% in younger populations .

  • Sex differences: Females consistently show higher antibody positivity rates than males across age groups .

  • Comorbidity impact: Several conditions significantly reduce antibody positivity:

    • Transplant recipients show markedly lower positivity

    • Obesity correlates with reduced antibody response

    • Diabetes, stroke, and kidney disease all negatively impact detection rates

  • Prior exposure effects: Previous infection significantly enhances antibody positivity, presenting a potential confounding variable that must be controlled for in study design .

For researchers designing population surveillance studies using USA1 Antibody, these factors must be carefully considered during cohort selection, stratification, and data analysis to ensure accurate interpretation of results.

What are the current approaches for engineering USA1 Antibody with customized specificity?

Engineering USA1 Antibody with customized specificity involves sophisticated techniques at the intersection of experimental selection and computational design. Current approaches include:

  • Combined experimental-computational pipeline: Using phage display experiments to select antibodies against various ligands, then employing computational models to build and assess binding profiles .

  • Cross-specificity engineering: Jointly minimizing energy functions associated with multiple desired ligands to generate antibodies capable of recognizing several targets .

  • Selective specificity engineering: Minimizing energy functions for desired ligands while maximizing those for undesired ligands to create highly selective antibodies .

  • Biophysics-informed modeling: Incorporating structural and energetic considerations to predict how sequence modifications will affect binding properties .

  • Validation through novel sequence testing: Generating and testing previously unexplored antibody sequences to assess the model's capacity to propose antibodies with customized specificity profiles .

This integrated approach has demonstrated success in creating antibodies with both specific and cross-specific binding properties while mitigating experimental artifacts and biases in selection experiments . For USA1 Antibody engineering, these methods provide a powerful framework for developing variants with precisely defined binding characteristics.

What troubleshooting approaches are recommended for inconsistent USA1 Antibody results?

When facing inconsistent results with USA1 Antibody, systematic troubleshooting approaches can help identify and address the underlying issues:

  • Antibody validation assessment:

    • Verify antibody specificity through appropriate controls

    • Confirm the antibody recognizes the intended target under your specific experimental conditions

    • Consider testing alternative antibody clones or lots

  • Batch variation analysis:

    • Compare lot numbers when inconsistencies arise

    • Maintain detailed records of antibody performance across batches

    • Consider testing multiple lots simultaneously for critical experiments

  • Sample preparation optimization:

    • Evaluate fixation methods and duration

    • Assess antigen retrieval techniques

    • Optimize blocking conditions to reduce background

  • Protocol standardization:

    • Develop detailed SOPs with precise timing and conditions

    • Control for environmental variables (temperature, humidity)

    • Standardize reagent preparation and storage

  • Biological variability consideration:

    • Account for host factors known to affect antibody response

    • Consider comorbidities that might influence results

    • Recognize that smoking, obesity, and age can impact antibody performance

Researchers should maintain detailed laboratory records documenting all experimental conditions, antibody details, and observed results to facilitate troubleshooting and ensure reproducibility. Additionally, consulting with other researchers using the same antibody can provide valuable insights into specific technical challenges and solutions.

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