KEGG: spo:SPBC1198.07c
STRING: 4896.SPBC1198.07c.1
SPBC1198.07c is a systematic identifier for a gene in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Based on genomic databases, this gene encodes a protein that researchers may study using antibody-based detection methods. Antibodies against S. pombe proteins like SPBC1198.07c are typically generated through several approaches:
Recombinant protein expression in E. coli, followed by purification and immunization
Synthetic peptide generation representing specific epitopes of the SPBC1198.07c protein
Genetic tagging approaches (such as TAP-tagging) as observed in similar S. pombe studies
For optimal antibody generation, researchers often select immunogenic regions that are accessible in the native protein conformation and avoid transmembrane domains. The antibody production process typically involves animal immunization (commonly rabbits for polyclonal or mice for monoclonal antibodies), followed by serum collection and antibody purification .
Validation of SPBC1198.07c antibody specificity is critical for reliable experimental results. Standard validation approaches include:
Western blot analysis using wild-type strains and SPBC1198.07c deletion mutants (similar to the upf1Δ approach shown in the materials)
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to confirm target protein identity
Immunofluorescence microscopy comparing signal between wild-type and knockout strains
Using epitope-tagged versions of SPBC1198.07c (such as TAP-tagged constructs) as positive controls
When validating the antibody, researchers should observe a band of the predicted molecular weight in wild-type samples that is absent in deletion mutants. Cross-reactivity with other proteins should be minimal to ensure experimental specificity. For TAP-tagged validation approaches, methods similar to those used for Upf1:TAP protein detection with PAP antibodies would be applicable .
Effective sample preparation is crucial for detecting SPBC1198.07c in S. pombe. Based on established protocols for similar yeast proteins:
Cell growth and harvesting should follow standard techniques for S. pombe culture, using appropriate media such as YES rich media
Cell lysis protocols should be optimized to preserve protein integrity, typically using glass bead disruption in appropriate buffer systems
Extraction methods should consider the subcellular localization of SPBC1198.07c (nuclear, cytoplasmic, membrane-associated)
Protease inhibitors should be included to prevent protein degradation during sample preparation
For total protein extraction, protocols similar to those described for detecting Upf1:TAP protein would be appropriate, ensuring complete cell disruption while maintaining native protein structure. The culture media should be prepared using de-ionized water and standard sterilization procedures to maintain consistency across experiments .
Robust controls are essential for antibody-based experiments involving SPBC1198.07c:
Positive controls: Wild-type S. pombe strains expressing SPBC1198.07c at normal levels
Negative controls: SPBC1198.07c deletion mutants (similar to the upf1::kanMX6 strain construction)
Specificity controls: Pre-immune serum or isotype-matched control antibodies
Loading controls: Detection of constitutively expressed proteins like Act1 (actin)
Tagged controls: Strains expressing tagged versions of SPBC1198.07c
The experimental design should include side-by-side analysis of these controls to validate antibody specificity. For example, when conducting Western blot analysis, samples from wild-type and deletion strains should be run on the same gel to directly compare band patterns. Additionally, competitive binding assays using purified antigen can further confirm antibody specificity .
Western blotting using SPBC1198.07c antibody requires optimization of several parameters:
Sample preparation: Total cell extracts should be prepared using established protocols for S. pombe
Protein loading: 20-50 μg of total protein per lane is typically sufficient
Gel percentage: Select based on the molecular weight of SPBC1198.07c (10-12% for 30-100 kDa proteins)
Transfer conditions: Semi-dry or wet transfer at appropriate voltage/amperage
Blocking solution: 5% non-fat dry milk or BSA in TBST (Tris-buffered saline with 0.1% Tween-20)
Antibody dilution: Start with 1:1000 and optimize based on signal-to-noise ratio
Incubation time: Typically overnight at 4°C for primary antibody
Detection method: HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies with chemiluminescent substrates
The protocol should include appropriate controls and may require optimization of antibody concentration and incubation conditions to maximize specific signal while minimizing background. Detection methods similar to those used for Upf1:TAP protein would be appropriate for visualizing SPBC1198.07c .
When encountering issues with SPBC1198.07c antibody performance, systematic troubleshooting approaches include:
| Problem | Potential Causes | Troubleshooting Strategies |
|---|---|---|
| Weak signal | Low antibody concentration | Increase antibody concentration or incubation time |
| Low protein expression | Increase sample loading or enrich target protein | |
| Inefficient transfer | Optimize transfer conditions or membrane type | |
| High background | Non-specific binding | Increase blocking time/concentration or change blocking agent |
| Secondary antibody cross-reactivity | Use more specific secondary antibody or increase washing steps | |
| Contaminated antibody | Use fresh antibody aliquot or purified fraction | |
| Multiple bands | Protein degradation | Add more protease inhibitors during extraction |
| Post-translational modifications | Confirm with phosphatase treatment or genetic variants | |
| Cross-reactivity | Perform antigen competition or use knockout controls |
When troubleshooting, make single changes to the protocol at a time and maintain careful documentation of all modifications and their effects on experimental outcomes .
SPBC1198.07c antibody can be employed in several techniques to identify and characterize protein-protein interactions:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP): Using SPBC1198.07c antibody to pull down the protein and associated binding partners
Proximity ligation assay (PLA): Detecting in situ interactions between SPBC1198.07c and candidate binding partners
Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC): Similar to the VN-VC fragment approach mentioned in search result
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP): If SPBC1198.07c has DNA-binding properties or associates with chromatin
For Co-IP experiments, protocols should be optimized to preserve native protein complexes, using appropriate lysis buffers and conditions. The approach used for studying Cuf2 and Mei4 interaction through plasmids like pJK-500cuf2+-VN and pBPnmt1+3X-mei4+-VC could serve as a model for investigating SPBC1198.07c interactions .
For successful immunofluorescence microscopy with SPBC1198.07c antibody:
Fixation method: Typically 3.7% formaldehyde for 30 minutes, though optimization may be required
Permeabilization: Enzymatic digestion of cell wall (using zymolyase) followed by detergent treatment
Blocking solution: BSA or normal serum from the species of secondary antibody origin
Antibody dilution: Start with 1:100 and optimize based on signal intensity
Counterstaining: DAPI for nuclear visualization and cell wall staining for cell morphology
Mounting medium: Anti-fade reagent to prevent photobleaching
The protocol should include appropriate controls, including cells lacking SPBC1198.07c expression. For accurate subcellular localization, co-staining with markers of specific cellular compartments may be necessary. Flow cytometry approaches similar to those used for detecting PD-1 in the research described in search result could be adapted for S. pombe cells expressing SPBC1198.07c .
If SPBC1198.07c functions as a transcription factor or chromatin-associated protein, ChIP protocols can be adapted:
Crosslinking: Typically with 1% formaldehyde for 15-20 minutes
Chromatin shearing: Sonication to generate 200-500 bp fragments
Immunoprecipitation: Using optimized amounts of SPBC1198.07c antibody
Washing conditions: Stringent washes to remove non-specific binding
Elution and reversal of crosslinks: Typically at 65°C overnight
DNA purification and analysis: qPCR, sequencing, or microarray analysis
For analyzing DNA binding sites, primers can be designed to amplify potential regulatory regions similar to the approach used for studying FLEX elements in the fzr1+ promoter region. ChIP protocols should include appropriate controls such as input chromatin, no-antibody controls, and immunoprecipitation with irrelevant antibodies .
Quantitative analysis of Western blot data requires a structured approach:
Image acquisition: Use a digital imaging system with a linear dynamic range
Background subtraction: Apply consistent background correction across all samples
Normalization: Normalize to loading controls (e.g., actin) or total protein
Quantification: Measure integrated density of specific bands
Statistical analysis: Apply appropriate statistical tests for comparing multiple conditions
When analyzing expression changes, consider biological and technical replicates (minimum of three each). For publication-quality data, verify that measurements fall within the linear range of detection and report both raw and normalized values. Similar to RNA analysis approaches described for act1+ mRNA as a control in the research, stable reference proteins should be used for normalization in protein expression studies .
When facing conflicting data between different experimental approaches:
Validate reagents: Confirm antibody specificity and genetic construct integrity
Consider protein modifications: Post-translational modifications may affect antibody recognition
Evaluate expression levels: Overexpression or knockdown efficiency may vary
Assess genetic compensation: Related genes may compensate in knockout studies
Examine experimental conditions: Different growth conditions may affect results
It may be useful to employ multiple, complementary approaches to study SPBC1198.07c function. For example, combining gene deletion studies with antibody-based protein detection, similar to the approach used for studying upf1 mutants in the search results. When reporting contradictory results, clearly document all experimental conditions and consider alternative hypotheses that might explain the discrepancies .
Several bioinformatic tools and databases can aid in interpreting SPBC1198.07c antibody results:
PomBase: The primary genomic database for S. pombe, providing gene annotation and functional information
UniProt: Protein sequence and functional information
InterPro: Protein domain and family analysis
STRING: Protein-protein interaction networks
GO Term Analysis: Functional categorization of genes and proteins
S. pombe expression databases: Transcriptomic profiles under different conditions
These resources can provide context for antibody-based findings, suggesting potential functions, interaction partners, and regulatory mechanisms for SPBC1198.07c. Integrating experimental data with bioinformatic analysis can lead to more comprehensive understanding of the protein's biological role, similar to the approach used in characterizing Upf1 targets in S. pombe .
Investigating SPBC1198.07c expression during stress conditions requires careful experimental design:
Stress exposure protocols: Define appropriate stressors (e.g., oxidative stress with hydrogen peroxide as mentioned in the viability assays)
Time course analysis: Monitor expression changes at multiple time points
Dose-response relationships: Examine expression changes at various stress intensities
Subcellular localization: Assess potential changes in protein localization during stress
Stability assessment: Determine if protein stability is affected by stress conditions
When designing these experiments, include appropriate controls and consider both acute and chronic stress exposures. The viability assays approach described for hydrogen peroxide exposure (ranging from 0.25-4 mM) in YES rich media could serve as a model for studying SPBC1198.07c expression under oxidative stress conditions .
To investigate cell cycle-dependent regulation of SPBC1198.07c:
Synchronization methods: Use nitrogen starvation, hydroxyurea block, or temperature-sensitive cdc mutants
Time-point collection: Sample at regular intervals covering at least one complete cell cycle
Cell cycle markers: Co-stain for established cell cycle phase markers
Flow cytometry: Combine with DNA content analysis to correlate with cell cycle phase
Live cell imaging: For dynamic changes in protein localization during cell division
Experimental design should include careful validation of synchronization efficiency and use multiple synchronization methods to rule out method-specific artifacts. The preparation and synchronization techniques described for pat1-114/pat1-114 diploid cells could be adapted for studying SPBC1198.07c expression during meiosis or the mitotic cell cycle .