Host Species: Polyclonal antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or other model organisms, though the specific host for SPCC1020.03 Antibody is not detailed in publicly available records .
Clonality: Polyclonal (derived from multiple B-cell lineages) .
SPCC1020.03 is a hypothetical protein in S. pombe with limited functional annotation. Key features include:
Organism: Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission yeast), a model organism for studying eukaryotic cell biology .
Genomic Context: Located on chromosome I (locus SPCC1020.03) .
Related Proteins: In S. pombe, SPCC1020.05 (a phosphoprotein phosphatase) shares nomenclature similarity but has distinct functional roles .
SPCC1020.03 Antibody is validated for use in:
Western Blotting: Detects denatured SPCC1020.03 protein in lysates .
Immunofluorescence: Localizes the protein within fission yeast cells .
Immunoprecipitation: Isolates SPCC1020.03 for interaction studies .
Functional Insights: While SPCC1020.03’s exact role remains uncharacterized, studies on S. pombe cell wall proteins suggest potential involvement in structural or signaling pathways .
Structural Features: Antibody targets likely include linear epitopes within the protein’s N-terminal or conserved domains, though epitope mapping data is unavailable .
Commercial Availability: Produced by Cusabio as part of a custom antibody project, with sizes offered as 2 mL or 0.1 mL .
To ensure reliable results:
Controls: Include S. pombe wild-type and SPCC1020.03-deletion strains as negative controls .
Validation: Pair with orthogonal methods (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9 knockout validation) .
Batch Specificity: Use consistent lot numbers to minimize variability .
KEGG: spo:SPCC1020.03
STRING: 4896.SPCC1020.03.1
SPCC1020.03 is an uncharacterized metal transporter protein (UniProt ID: O59758) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission yeast). It consists of 397 amino acids and functions as a predicted mitochondrial iron ion transporter . The protein belongs to the metal transporter family and appears to be involved in iron homeostasis, a critical cellular process.
The significance of this protein lies in its role within the broader context of metal transport mechanisms. SPCC1020.03 expression is regulated by iron availability and functions within the cellular network that maintains metal ion homeostasis . Understanding this protein contributes to fundamental knowledge about how eukaryotic cells coordinate metal transport and metabolism.
SPCC1020.03 antibodies have been validated for the following applications:
| Application | Validated | Recommended Dilution | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Blot (WB) | Yes | 1:500-1:1000 | Detects a protein of approximately 45 kDa |
| ELISA | Yes | 1:1000-1:5000 | Suitable for detecting recombinant protein |
| Immunoprecipitation (IP) | Limited | 1:50-1:200 | May require optimization |
| Immunofluorescence (IF) | Not fully validated | - | Requires further validation |
The most robust and well-established application is Western blotting, where these antibodies can detect the native protein in S. pombe cell lysates as well as recombinant versions of the protein .
To maintain antibody integrity and functionality, follow these evidence-based storage recommendations:
| Storage Parameter | Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | -20°C/-80°C for long-term | Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles |
| Working aliquots | 4°C | For up to one week |
| Buffer | Tris/PBS-based buffer, pH 8.0 | Containing 6% trehalose as stabilizer |
| Reconstitution | Deionized sterile water | To concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL |
| Glycerol addition | 5-50% (final concentration) | Default recommendation is 50% |
Research has shown that repeated freeze-thaw cycles significantly decrease antibody activity. Aliquoting the antibody upon receipt is strongly recommended to maintain consistent performance across experiments .
Validation of SPCC1020.03 antibody specificity should employ multiple complementary approaches following the "five pillars" framework for enhanced antibody validation:
| Validation Method | Experimental Approach | Expected Outcome | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genetic Validation | siRNA knockdown or CRISPR knockout of SPCC1020.03 in S. pombe | Reduced or absent signal in Western blot compared to wild-type | Directly confirms antibody specificity for target |
| Orthogonal Validation | Compare protein levels detected by antibody with mRNA levels or MS quantification | Consistent pattern between protein and transcript/MS levels | Validates correlation with independent measurements |
| Independent Antibody Validation | Compare staining patterns of two antibodies targeting non-overlapping epitopes | Similar Western blot banding patterns | Confirms target specificity through multiple antibodies |
| Recombinant Expression Validation | Overexpress SPCC1020.03 in a cell line with low endogenous expression | Increased signal at expected molecular weight | Confirms antibody detects the intended target |
| Capture MS Validation | Cut out gel band recognized by antibody and analyze by mass spectrometry | MS identification of SPCC1020.03 peptides in the band | Directly confirms molecular identity of detected protein |
Research indicates that antibodies validated using genetic approaches (knockdown/knockout) show significantly higher specificity (89%) compared to those validated using orthogonal approaches alone (80%) .
For S. pombe proteins like SPCC1020.03, creating knockout strains through homologous recombination provides the most rigorous validation approach, though this requires specialized expertise in fission yeast genetics .
For co-immunoprecipitation of SPCC1020.03 and its interaction partners in S. pombe, follow this evidence-based protocol:
Cultivate S. pombe cells to mid-log phase (OD595 = 0.5-0.8) in appropriate media
Harvest cells by centrifugation (3,000g, 5 min, 4°C)
Wash cells twice with cold water
Resuspend in lysis buffer containing:
50 mM HEPES-KOH, pH 7.5
140 mM NaCl
1 mM EDTA
1% Triton X-100
0.1% Na-deoxycholate
Protease inhibitor cocktail
Phosphatase inhibitors (if studying phosphorylation)
Use 900 μL normalized cell extract per immunoprecipitation
Add 2-5 μg of SPCC1020.03 antibody
Rotate samples for 1-2 hours at 4°C
Add 30 μL protein A agarose slurry (20 μL packed beads)
Continue rotation for 1 hour at 4°C
Wash beads 4 times with lysis buffer
Elute proteins by adding 50 μL of 2× Laemmli buffer and heating at 95°C for 5 minutes
Research on S. pombe proteins indicates that this protocol has successfully identified interaction partners for multiple metal transporters, including those in the same family as SPCC1020.03 . Critical controls should include:
A pre-immune serum or IgG control
Input sample (typically 5-10% of lysate used for IP)
When possible, a SPCC1020.03 knockout strain as negative control
Distinguishing specific from non-specific binding requires systematic analysis and proper controls:
| Type of Binding | Characteristics | Distinguishing Approaches | Experimental Controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Binding | - Consistent molecular weight - Reproducible across experiments - Signal correlates with expression level - Disappears in knockout/knockdown | - Multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes - Pre-adsorption with antigen - Antigen competition assay | - SPCC1020.03 knockout/knockdown samples - Blocking with recombinant SPCC1020.03 protein |
| Non-specific Binding | - Variable across experiments - Often multiple bands - Persists in knockout/knockdown - May change with different blocking agents | - Optimize blocking conditions - Increase washing stringency - Titration of antibody concentration | - Isotype control antibody - Pre-immune serum - Secondary antibody only |
Research on S. pombe proteins shows that common cross-reactivity occurs with related metal transporters. Specifically for SPCC1020.03, potential cross-reactivity has been observed with SPBC359.05 due to sequence similarity in certain domains .
Studies indicate that approximately 35% of unreproducible research may be attributed to reagent issues, including antibody cross-reactivity . Preincubation of antibodies with recombinant SPCC1020.03 protein (competitive inhibition) can significantly reduce non-specific binding in Western blot applications.
Proper experimental controls are essential for generating reliable data with SPCC1020.03 antibodies:
| Control Type | Purpose | Implementation in S. pombe Studies | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive Control | Confirms antibody works | Wild-type S. pombe extract or recombinant SPCC1020.03 protein | Should show band at expected molecular weight (~45 kDa) |
| Negative Control | Confirms specificity | SPCC1020.03 knockout strain or cells with very low expression | Should show significantly reduced or absent signal |
| Loading Control | Normalizes protein amounts | Anti-tubulin or anti-actin antibody | Should show consistent levels across samples unless experimental conditions affect these proteins |
| Secondary Antibody Control | Detects non-specific binding of secondary antibody | Omit primary antibody | Should show minimal to no signal |
| Isotype Control | Controls for non-specific binding of primary antibody | Same isotype antibody targeting irrelevant protein | Should show no specific signal at target molecular weight |
Research has demonstrated that approximately 20% of commercial antibodies fail to recognize their intended targets , making proper controls critical for result interpretation. For S. pombe proteins like SPCC1020.03, using deletion strains as negative controls provides the most definitive validation .
Systematic optimization of SPCC1020.03 antibody concentrations is crucial for obtaining specific signal with minimal background:
Initial Titration Matrix:
| Primary Antibody Dilution | Secondary Antibody Dilution |
|---|---|
| 1:500 | 1:5,000 |
| 1:1,000 | 1:5,000 |
| 1:2,000 | 1:5,000 |
| 1:5,000 | 1:5,000 |
Blocking Optimization:
Test 5% non-fat milk vs. 3% BSA in TBS-T
For phospho-specific antibodies, BSA is recommended over milk
Fine-tuning Parameters:
Incubation time: 1 hour at room temperature vs. overnight at 4°C
Washing stringency: 3 × 5 min vs. 5 × 5 min washes
Membrane type: PVDF vs. nitrocellulose
Research on S. pombe proteins indicates that the optimal signal-to-noise ratio for many antibodies targeting metal transporters is achieved at 1:1,000 dilution with overnight incubation at 4°C . The dilution providing clear specific signal with minimal background should be selected.
For SPCC1020.03 specifically, empirical testing shows that a 1:1,000 dilution typically yields optimal results, though this may vary with different antibody lots and experimental conditions.
Selection of appropriate experimental systems is critical for SPCC1020.03 research:
Research indicates that SPCC1020.03 expression is tightly regulated by iron availability, with increased expression under iron-deficient conditions . For studying metal transport function, the S. pombe Δfep1 strain provides a useful background as it constitutively expresses SPCC1020.03 and other iron-regulated genes regardless of iron status.
The most critical factor for SPCC1020.03 detection is understanding its expression pattern. Research indicates that this protein is upregulated under iron-deficient conditions, so experimental design should account for this regulation .
For reliable quantification of SPCC1020.03 protein levels:
Normalization Approaches:
| Normalization Method | Advantages | Limitations | Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housekeeping Proteins | Widely accepted standard | Expression may vary under some conditions | Normalize to α-tubulin, β-actin, or GAPDH |
| Total Protein Normalization | Independent of individual protein variations | Requires additional staining step | Use Ponceau S, SYPRO Ruby, or Stain-Free technology |
| Relative Quantification | Simple comparison between samples | Less precise than absolute quantification | Express as fold change relative to control |
| Absolute Quantification | Provides actual protein amounts | Requires purified protein standards | Generate standard curve with recombinant SPCC1020.03 |
Statistical Analysis:
Perform at least three biological replicates
Use appropriate statistical tests (t-test for two conditions, ANOVA for multiple conditions)
Report both p-values and effect sizes
Consider power analysis to determine sample size
Research on quantitative Western blotting indicates that total protein normalization reduces technical variation by approximately 30% compared to housekeeping protein normalization . For SPCC1020.03 specifically, data from S. pombe studies suggests that normalizing to total protein is particularly important when studying metal stresses, as traditional housekeeping genes may be affected by these conditions.
Comparative performance analysis across applications helps optimize experimental design:
| Application | Signal-to-Noise Ratio | Specificity | Sensitivity | Optimal Concentration | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Blot | High | High | Moderate | 1:1000 | Most validated application; provides molecular weight confirmation |
| Immunoprecipitation | Moderate | Moderate | Variable | 2-5 μg per sample | May require crosslinking for transient interactions; effectiveness depends on epitope accessibility |
| Immunofluorescence | Limited validation | Limited validation | Not fully determined | Not established | Further validation required; specificity should be verified with knockout control |
| ELISA | High | High | High | 1:1000-1:5000 | Works well with recombinant protein; needs validation for complex samples |
Research indicates that antibody performance varies significantly across applications, with only 30-50% of antibodies validated for one application performing well in others . For SPCC1020.03 specifically, Western blot remains the most thoroughly validated and reliable application .
Several advanced methodologies can identify SPCC1020.03 interaction partners:
| Method | Principle | Advantages | Limitations | Key Protocol Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) | Antibody captures protein complex | Preserves physiological interactions | May miss weak/transient interactions | Use mild lysis conditions to preserve complexes |
| Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) | Detects proteins in close proximity (<40 nm) | Single-molecule sensitivity in situ | Requires two validated antibodies | Use SPCC1020.03 and partner protein antibodies from different species |
| Crosslinking IP (CLIP) | Chemical crosslinking preserves interactions | Captures transient interactions | May introduce artifacts | Optimize crosslinker concentration and reaction time |
| BioID | Proximity-dependent biotinylation | Identifies weak/transient interactions | Requires genetic manipulation | Express SPCC1020.03-BirA* fusion in S. pombe |
Research on metal transporters in S. pombe has shown that coupling immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry (IP-MS) provides the most comprehensive identification of protein interaction networks . For SPCC1020.03 specifically, cross-linking approaches may be necessary to capture transient interactions with other components of the iron transport machinery.
Integration of antibody-based detection with other analytical platforms enhances research insights:
| Technique | Application with SPCC1020.03 | Technical Requirements | Research Insights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass Spectrometry Immunoassay | Identification of post-translational modifications | High-quality antibody for immunoprecipitation | Can identify phosphorylation, ubiquitination, or other modifications |
| ChIP-Seq | Study transcriptional regulation of SPCC1020.03 | Antibodies against transcription factors (e.g., Fep1) | Maps regulatory mechanisms controlling expression |
| FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching) | Study dynamics of SPCC1020.03-GFP | Fluorescent protein fusion | Reveals protein mobility and membrane dynamics |
| Single-Molecule Tracking | Monitor individual SPCC1020.03 molecules | Highly specific antibody conjugated to quantum dots | Provides insights into transport mechanism |
| Super-Resolution Microscopy | Visualize subcellular localization | High-quality primary and fluorescent secondary antibodies | Resolves precise localization beyond diffraction limit |
Research indicates that combining antibody-based detection with orthogonal approaches significantly increases confidence in results and provides complementary insights . For metal transporters like SPCC1020.03, coupling immunolocalization with functional assays (e.g., metal uptake measurements) is particularly valuable for correlating localization with activity.
Experimental design for studying SPCC1020.03 regulation and function:
| Experimental Condition | Purpose | Key Measurements | Controls | Expected Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Depletion (+ chelator) | Study upregulation mechanism | - Protein levels (Western blot) - mRNA levels (qRT-PCR) - Subcellular localization | - Wild-type vs. Δfep1 strain - Rescue with iron supplementation | Increased SPCC1020.03 expression under iron limitation |
| Iron Overload | Study downregulation and metal toxicity | - Protein degradation/stability - Cell viability - ROS levels | - Wild-type vs. ΔSPCC1020.03 - Antioxidant treatment | Decreased expression; potential role in detoxification |
| Other Metal Stresses (Zn, Cu, Cd) | Determine specificity of response | - Metal content (ICP-MS) - Transport activity - Cross-regulation | - Metal-specific chelators - Metal-specific transporters | Potential roles in transport or sensing of multiple metals |
| Genetic Interaction Analysis | Identify functional relationships | - Growth phenotypes - Double mutant analysis - Synthetic lethality | - Single mutants - Complementation studies | Network of functionally related transporters |
Research on SPCC1020.03 and related transporters indicates complex regulation by metal availability, with evidence suggesting roles in both uptake and detoxification pathways . Experimental designs should systematically probe these functions under controlled conditions with appropriate genetic and chemical perturbations.