Target: Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 17-Like Family Member 3 (USP17L3), a deubiquitinating enzyme regulating cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and viral response .
Conjugate: Horseradish peroxidase (HRP), a 44 kDa glycoprotein enabling chromogenic or chemiluminescent detection .
ELISA: Primary application, with HRP enabling colorimetric detection via substrates like TMB or ABTS .
Western Blot (WB): Indirect detection possible via secondary HRP-conjugated antibodies .
Research Focus: USP17L3’s role in cell cycle regulation and disease pathways .
Critical buffer requirements for optimal HRP conjugation :
| Buffer Component | Acceptable Level |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Glycerol | <50% |
| BSA/Gelatin | <0.1% |
| Tris | <50 mM |
Prohibited Components: Sodium azide, glycine, DTT, or other nucleophilic agents .
Gene Aliases: USP17B, USP17F .
UniProt ID: A6NCW0 (Human) .
Function: Cleaves ubiquitin moieties from substrates, modulating protein degradation and signaling pathways .
USP17L3 (Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 17-Like Family Member 3) is a deubiquitinating enzyme that removes conjugated ubiquitin from specific proteins to regulate different cellular processes . It functions within the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which is crucial for protein degradation and cellular homeostasis. USP17L3 plays roles in cell cycle regulation, signal transduction pathways, and potentially in immune responses. Researchers investigating post-translational modifications often target this enzyme to understand its specific regulatory functions in various cellular contexts.
HRP (Horseradish Peroxidase) conjugation to USP17L3 antibodies provides a direct detection system that eliminates the need for secondary antibodies in immunoassays . The enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of substrates (like TMB or DAB) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, producing colorimetric, chemiluminescent, or fluorescent signals depending on the substrate used. This conjugation creates a one-step detection system that enhances sensitivity while reducing background noise and assay time. The catalytic nature of HRP amplifies signal output, making it particularly valuable for detecting low-abundance proteins like USP17L3 in complex biological samples .
The primary applications for HRP-conjugated USP17L3 antibodies include:
ELISA: Direct detection of USP17L3 proteins in biological samples with high sensitivity
Western Blotting: Visualization of USP17L3 expression levels in cell or tissue lysates
Immunohistochemistry: Detection of USP17L3 in fixed tissue sections
Cell-based assays: Monitoring USP17L3 localization and expression changes
These applications are particularly useful in deubiquitinating enzyme research, ubiquitin pathway studies, and investigations of cellular regulatory mechanisms where USP17L3 plays a role .
Optimizing ELISA protocols with HRP-conjugated USP17L3 antibodies requires systematic adjustment of multiple parameters:
Antibody dilution optimization: Start with a dilution series (e.g., 1:500 to 1:10,000) to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio
Blocking buffer selection: Test various blockers (BSA, casein, commercial blockers) to minimize background
Incubation conditions: Optimize time (1-4 hours) and temperature (room temperature vs. 4°C) for antibody binding
Substrate selection: Choose appropriate substrates (TMB, ABTS, OPD) based on sensitivity requirements
Washing stringency: Determine optimal wash buffer composition and number of washes
For quantitative analysis, always include a standard curve using recombinant USP17L3 protein. Additionally, include both positive and negative controls to validate assay performance. Modified conjugation methods involving lyophilization of activated HRP before antibody conjugation have demonstrated significantly improved sensitivity, allowing dilutions up to 1:5000 compared to 1:25 with traditional methods .
When encountering weak or inconsistent signals with HRP-conjugated USP17L3 antibodies, implement this systematic troubleshooting approach:
Antibody activity verification:
Check enzyme activity with direct HRP substrates
Verify antibody binding via alternative methods (e.g., indirect ELISA)
Sample preparation optimization:
Ensure complete protein denaturation for Western blots
Optimize antigen retrieval for IHC applications
Confirm appropriate cell lysis conditions
Technical adjustments:
Increase antibody concentration
Extend incubation time (consider overnight at 4°C)
Enhance substrate development time
Storage and handling assessment:
Conjugate quality evaluation:
For persistent issues, consider re-conjugating the antibody using advanced methods like the lyophilization-enhanced periodate approach, which has demonstrated improved binding capacity and sensitivity .
To measure and validate conjugation efficiency of USP17L3 Antibody-HRP conjugates, implement these complementary analytical techniques:
UV-Vis Spectrophotometry:
SDS-PAGE Analysis:
Functional Validation:
Perform direct ELISA with known USP17L3 samples
Create a dilution series (1:100 to 1:10,000)
Calculate signal-to-noise ratios at each dilution
Compare to reference standards
Molar Ratio Determination:
Calculate HRP:antibody ratio using extinction coefficients
Optimal ratios typically range from 2:1 to 4:1 for most applications
Successful conjugation should demonstrate both spectral shifts in UV analysis and altered electrophoretic mobility while maintaining functional activity in immunoassays .
Comparing USP17L3 Antibody-HRP conjugates with nanobody-based detection systems reveals distinct advantages and limitations for each approach:
For studying USP17L3 deubiquitinating activity using HRP-conjugated antibodies, these experimental designs are recommended:
Cellular Ubiquitination Profiling:
Treat cells with proteasome inhibitors (e.g., MG132)
Immunoprecipitate specific protein substrates
Detect changes in ubiquitination status using anti-ubiquitin antibodies
In parallel, use USP17L3 Antibody-HRP to confirm enzyme presence/levels
Correlate USP17L3 levels with ubiquitination changes
In vitro Deubiquitination Assays:
Express and purify recombinant USP17L3
Prepare ubiquitin chains (K48, K63, etc.) or ubiquitinated substrate proteins
Incubate with USP17L3 in deubiquitination buffer
Monitor reaction kinetics using ubiquitin-specific antibodies
Simultaneously track USP17L3 stability using the HRP-conjugated antibody
USP17L3 Inhibitor Screening:
Establish baseline deubiquitinating activity
Test compounds in dose-response experiments
Use USP17L3 Antibody-HRP to verify enzyme levels remain constant
Plot inhibition curves normalized to enzyme expression
Domain-Specific Function Analysis:
These experimental designs leverage the direct detection capabilities of HRP-conjugated antibodies while providing robust frameworks for investigating the enzymatic activities of USP17L3.
Integrating USP17L3 Antibody-HRP into multiplex detection systems requires strategic approaches to differentiate signals and maintain specificity:
Substrate-Based Multiplexing:
Utilize different substrates for various HRP-conjugated antibodies
TMB (blue/yellow), DAB (brown), AEC (red), and 4-CN (purple) provide distinctly colored precipitates
Sequential development with different substrates allows layered detection
Microarray-Based Approaches:
Spatially separate capture antibodies on array surfaces
Apply sample containing multiple antigens
Detect with a cocktail of HRP-conjugated detection antibodies
Use image analysis software to quantify spot intensities
Sequential Stripping and Reprobing:
Detect USP17L3 using the HRP-conjugated antibody
Document results
Strip membranes using appropriate buffers (glycine-HCl, pH 2.5)
Reprobe with additional HRP-conjugated antibodies against other targets
Tyramide Signal Amplification (TSA) Integration:
Use HRP-conjugated USP17L3 antibody to catalyze deposition of labeled tyramide
Inactivate HRP after first detection
Repeat with additional HRP-conjugated antibodies and differently labeled tyramides
Enables co-localization studies with high sensitivity
When implementing multiplex systems, it's crucial to validate each antibody individually before combining them, and to include appropriate controls to verify specific detection without cross-reactivity. The stability of the HRP conjugate in the multiplexing buffer conditions should also be verified to ensure consistent performance .
Proper storage and handling of USP17L3 Antibody-HRP conjugates is essential for maintaining functionality:
Temperature conditions:
Buffer composition:
Physical handling:
Minimize exposure to light (HRP is light-sensitive)
Avoid vigorous shaking that may cause protein denaturation
Use low-protein binding tubes for storage
Preparation for use:
Allow to warm to room temperature before opening
Centrifuge briefly before use to collect contents
Return to cold storage immediately after use
Safety considerations:
For enhanced stability, consider using commercial stabilizers specifically designed for HRP conjugates, such as StabilZyme , which can extend shelf-life significantly while maintaining activity.
To validate USP17L3 Antibody-HRP specificity across different sample types, implement this comprehensive validation strategy:
Positive and Negative Control Samples:
Cross-Reactivity Testing:
Test against related USP family members
Examine reactivity in samples from different species
Evaluate performance in various sample preparations (native vs. denatured)
Peptide Competition Assays:
Orthogonal Detection Methods:
Confirm results using alternative antibodies targeting different epitopes
Validate with mRNA expression analysis (RT-PCR or RNAseq)
Compare with mass spectrometry-based protein identification
Dilution Linearity Assessment:
Create serial dilutions of positive samples
Plot signal intensity versus dilution
Linear correlation indicates specific detection
The antibody's reactivity should be consistent with the known expression patterns of USP17L3 in different tissues and cellular compartments. Thoroughly document all validation steps for publication and reproducibility purposes.
To ensure consistent performance of USP17L3 Antibody-HRP conjugates across experiments, monitor these key quality control parameters:
Enzymatic Activity Assessment:
Measure HRP activity using standard substrates (TMB, ABTS)
Track activity over time to detect degradation
Establish minimum activity thresholds for experimental use
Conjugation Ratio Verification:
Periodically confirm HRP:antibody ratio via spectrophotometry
Optimal ratios maintain consistent performance
Detect potential hydrolysis of conjugate bonds
Lot-to-Lot Consistency Testing:
Compare new lots with reference standards
Document EC50 values and maximum signal intensities
Create standard curves for quantitative applications
Specificity Confirmation:
Include positive and negative controls in each experiment
Monitor signal-to-noise ratios
Check for unexpected cross-reactivity
Performance Metrics Documentation:
Record dilution factors used
Document incubation times and temperatures
Track substrate development kinetics
Storage Stability Monitoring:
Test conjugate performance after various storage periods
Compare fresh versus stored aliquots
Identify optimal storage duration limits
Implement a centralized quality control record system that allows tracking of all parameters over time. Create standardized quality control samples to be used consistently across experiments. This systematic approach will enable early detection of performance issues and ensure reliable experimental outcomes .
USP17L3 Antibody-HRP conjugates can be effectively integrated into high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms through these methodological approaches:
Automated ELISA Systems:
Bead-Based Multiplexed Assays:
Couple capture antibodies to spectrally distinct microbeads
Detect with USP17L3 Antibody-HRP and other HRP-conjugated antibodies
Analyze using flow cytometry or dedicated bead readers
Allows simultaneous assessment of multiple targets
Cell-Based Screening:
Develop cell lines expressing USP17L3 fused to reporter proteins
Detect with USP17L3 Antibody-HRP for verification
Use automated imaging systems for quantification
Implement machine learning algorithms for analysis
Microfluidic Chip Applications:
Design microchannels with immobilized capture antibodies
Flow samples through channels followed by USP17L3 Antibody-HRP
Develop with HRP substrates compatible with optical detection
Enables real-time kinetic measurements with minimal sample volumes
For optimal HTS implementation, standardize positive and negative controls across all plates and include standard curves for quantitative analysis. Systematic validation using Z-factor calculations will ensure robust assay performance suitable for high-throughput applications. The enhanced sensitivity of properly conjugated HRP-antibodies can significantly improve signal detection in miniaturized formats .
When choosing between USP17L3 Antibody-HRP and fluorescent conjugates for advanced imaging, consider these comparative advantages:
| Parameter | USP17L3 Antibody-HRP | Fluorescent Conjugates |
|---|---|---|
| Signal amplification | High (enzymatic amplification) | None (direct detection) |
| Sensitivity | Excellent for low-abundance targets | Moderate, dependent on fluorophore brightness |
| Spatial resolution | Limited by precipitate diffusion | Superior (single-molecule detection possible) |
| Permanence | Permanent signal (DAB precipitation) | Photobleaching occurs |
| Multiplexing capacity | Limited (substrate-based) | Excellent (spectral separation) |
| Equipment requirements | Light microscope (affordable) | Fluorescence microscope (expensive) |
| Compatibility with archival samples | Excellent | Often compromised by autofluorescence |
| Quantification | Semi-quantitative | Directly quantifiable |
| 3D imaging | Limited | Excellent (confocal, light-sheet) |
| Temporal studies | Endpoint only | Live-cell imaging possible |
HRP conjugates excel in detecting low-abundance targets like USP17L3 due to enzymatic signal amplification, making them ideal for tissues with limited target expression . They're also preferred for archival samples where autofluorescence is problematic. Conversely, fluorescent conjugates offer superior spatial resolution and multiplexing capabilities essential for co-localization studies and 3D reconstructions.
For optimal results, consider sequential or parallel approaches using both methodologies to leverage their complementary strengths in comprehensive USP17L3 characterization studies.
Emerging technologies are poised to revolutionize USP17L3 Antibody-HRP applications through several innovative approaches:
Digital Pathology Integration:
Whole-slide imaging of HRP-developed tissues
AI-based quantification of USP17L3 expression patterns
Machine learning algorithms for correlation with clinical outcomes
Cloud-based collaborative analysis platforms
Nanobody-Based Enhancement:
Microfluidic "Lab-on-a-Chip" Systems:
Paper-based analytical devices using USP17L3 Antibody-HRP
Integrated sample preparation and detection
Point-of-care applications for research applications
Reduction in sample and reagent volumes
Enhanced Conjugation Chemistries:
Single-Cell Analysis Integration:
CITE-seq adaptation using barcode-conjugated USP17L3 antibodies
Correlation of protein expression with transcriptomics
Spatial transcriptomics with HRP-based in situ detection
Resolution of cellular heterogeneity in USP17L3 expression
These technological advances will likely enable more sensitive, specific, and informative USP17L3 detection methods, particularly in complex biological systems where current techniques have limitations. The integration of computational approaches with enhanced conjugation methods will be particularly impactful for quantitative applications .