YPEL5 (yippee-like 5) is a 121-amino-acid protein involved in cell division, transcriptional regulation, and the CTLH E3 ubiquitin ligase complex . It localizes dynamically during mitosis, from the nucleus/centrosome to spindle poles and midbody . The HRP-conjugated YPEL5 antibody is a bioconjugated reagent designed for enzymatic detection in immunoassays, leveraging horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for high sensitivity in applications like ELISA.
Conjugation: HRP is covalently linked via heterobifunctional cross-linkers (e.g., Sulfo-SMCC/SATA), enabling stable binding without compromising antibody specificity .
Applications: Primarily used in ELISA for quantifying YPEL5 protein levels, though some protocols extend to Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) .
HRP-conjugated antibodies are synthesized through a two-step process:
Thiolation: Antibodies are treated with SATA to introduce sulfhydryl groups.
Cross-Linking: Maleimide-activated HRP (via Sulfo-SMCC) reacts with antibody thiols, forming stable thioether bonds .
Signal Amplification: HRP catalyzes chromogenic/chemiluminescent substrates (e.g., TMB, ECL), enhancing detection sensitivity.
Cancer Prognosis: Elevated YPEL5 correlates with improved survival in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC), as shown via pan-cancer analyses .
Liver Development: YPEL5 regulates hepatocyte proliferation and Hnf4a transcription in zebrafish, critical for hepatic function .
CTLH Complex Interactions: YPEL5 associates with RanBP9 and other CTLH subunits, validated via immunoprecipitation (IP) and mass spectrometry .
Prognostic Value: High YPEL5 expression predicts favorable outcomes in ccRCC, linked to reduced tumor aggressiveness .
Mechanistic Insights: YPEL5 knockdown promotes ccRCC cell proliferation and invasion, suggesting tumor-suppressive roles .
Liver Function: Ypel5 mutants in zebrafish exhibit hepatomegaly and disrupted cholesterol metabolism, rescued by hnf4a overexpression .
CTLH Complex: YPEL5 co-immunoprecipitates with RanBP9, Gid8, and Muskelin, confirming its role in E3 ligase activity .
YPEL5 is a component of the CTLH E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex. It selectively accepts ubiquitin from UBE2H, mediating the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of the transcription factor HBP1. YPEL5 is essential for normal cell proliferation.
YPEL5 belongs to the yippee family and serves as a component of the GID/CTLH E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. During cell cycle progression, YPEL5 demonstrates dynamic subcellular localization - found in the nucleus and centrosome during interphase, then sequentially relocating to spindle poles, mitotic spindle, and spindle midzone during mitosis, before finally transferring to the midbody during cytokinesis . This protein is particularly significant for research as it participates in cell division-related functions and contributes to preventing cell cycle exit in G1 phase, partly through the degradation of the transcription factor Hbp1 .
Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is a 44 kDa glycoprotein containing 6 lysine residues that can be conjugated to antibodies for various immunodetection applications . The enzyme generates visible products through chromogenic reactions with substrates such as diaminobenzidine (DAB), ABTS, or TMB in the presence of hydrogen peroxide . HRP-conjugated antibodies facilitate direct detection methods, eliminating cross-species reactivity concerns and reducing procedural complexity in time-consuming protocols by removing additional washing and separation steps .
YPEL5 antibodies with HRP conjugation are primarily designed for ELISA applications with recommended dilutions ranging from 1:500 to 1:1000 . While unconjugated YPEL5 antibodies can be used in Western Blot (1:1000-1:4000), Immunohistochemistry (1:50-1:500), and Immunofluorescence applications , the HRP-conjugated versions specifically enhance efficiency in direct detection ELISA systems through elimination of secondary antibody steps.
When working with YPEL5 HRP-conjugated antibodies, buffer optimization is critical for maintaining both antibody integrity and HRP activity. The optimal conditions include:
| Buffer components | Recommended levels |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.5-8.5 |
| Glycerol | <50% |
| BSA | <0.1% |
| Gelatin | <0.1% |
| Tris | <50mM |
The buffer should be free from components that interfere with HRP activity or antibody binding, including thiomersal/thimerosal, merthioloate, sodium azide, glycine, proclin, and nucleophilic components (primary amines such as amino acids or ethanolamine, and thiols such as mercaptoethanol or DTT) . For long-term storage and preservation of activity, specialized stabilizers like LifeXtend™ can protect against factors that diminish performance over time, including temperature effects and dilution-related activity loss .
For researchers requiring custom YPEL5-HRP conjugates, two primary conjugation methods are recommended:
Method 1: Periodate Oxidation Method
This approach leverages the glycoprotein nature of HRP, utilizing its polysaccharide chains in cross-linking reactions:
Activate HRP (4 mg) by mixing with 1 ml of freshly prepared 0.1M sodium periodate for 20 minutes at room temperature to oxidize sugar moieties
Dialyze the oxidized HRP against 1mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.4) overnight at 4°C
Adjust pH to 9.0-9.5 using 0.2M sodium carbonate buffer
Mix with purified YPEL5 antibody (typically 1-2 mg) at a 1:1 to 1:2 (HRP:antibody) molar ratio
Incubate for 2-3 hours at room temperature
Add sodium borohydride (4 mg/ml) to a final concentration of 0.1 mg/ml, incubate for 2 hours at 4°C
Dialyze against PBS and validate with titration in the intended application
Method 2: Heterobifunctional Cross-Linker Method
Using sulfo-SMCC and SATA reagents for controlled conjugation:
Activate HRP with sulfo-SMCC (10-20 fold molar excess) for 30 minutes at room temperature
Simultaneously modify YPEL5 antibody with SATA (5-10 fold molar excess)
Purify both activated proteins by gel filtration
Deprotect the SATA-modified antibody with hydroxylamine
Mix the maleimide-activated HRP with the thiolated antibody
Incubate for 2 hours at room temperature
The working dilutions for custom conjugates typically range from 1:100 to 1:10,000, dependent on antibody affinity, application type, and antigen quality .
Verification of successful YPEL5-HRP conjugation should employ multiple complementary approaches:
Spectrophotometric Analysis: Measure absorbance at 280 nm (protein) and 403 nm (HRP) to determine the protein-to-enzyme ratio in the conjugate.
SDS-PAGE Analysis: Compare the molecular weight shift between unconjugated antibody and the HRP-conjugate (expected shift approximately 44 kDa).
Functional Activity Testing:
ELISA Titration: Perform a checkerboard titration using known YPEL5-positive samples to determine optimal working dilution
Colorimetric Activity: Test HRP enzymatic activity using TMB substrate
Specificity Validation: Confirm specific binding to YPEL5 versus control proteins
Western Blot Validation: Compare detection of YPEL5 (14 kDa) in positive control tissues (brain, testis) using both the conjugated antibody and a conventional two-step detection system with the unconjugated antibody .
YPEL5 HRP-conjugated antibodies offer distinct advantages for investigating YPEL5's role in the GID/CTLH complex through several specialized approaches:
Co-immunoprecipitation Studies: Use YPEL5 HRP-conjugated antibodies to directly detect YPEL5 and associated proteins in co-IP experiments, enabling identification of complex components without secondary antibody steps. This is particularly valuable when examining interactions between YPEL5 and other GID/CTLH components including RanBP9 (Gid1), c17ORF39 (Gid4), Armc8 (Gid5), Twa1 (Gid8), MAEA (Gid9), and WDR26 .
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Analysis: Apply YPEL5 HRP-conjugated antibodies to investigate potential interactions between the GID/CTLH complex and the transcription factor Hbp1, which has been identified as a putative substrate degraded by this complex during cell cycle regulation .
Cell Cycle Dependency Studies: Utilize direct HRP detection in immunocytochemistry to track YPEL5 subcellular localization throughout cell cycle phases, correlating localization patterns with specific GID/CTLH complex activities and substrate interactions .
Subcellular Fractionation Analysis: Compare YPEL5 distribution and interacting partners between nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions, as research indicates the CTLH complex exhibits distinct interactomes in these compartments .
When analyzing YPEL5 compartmentalization, several critical methodological considerations should be addressed:
Clean Subcellular Fractionation: Employ validated fractionation protocols that minimize cross-contamination between nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. Recent research demonstrates that YPEL5 associates with the CTLH complex in both compartments but interacts with distinct factors in each location .
Proper Controls: Include markers for both compartments (e.g., HDAC2 for nucleus, TNKS1/2 for cytoplasm) to verify fractionation quality .
Fixation Considerations: For immunocytochemistry applications, optimize fixation conditions to preserve both nuclear and cytoplasmic epitopes, as over-fixation may mask cytoplasmic YPEL5 detection.
Cell Cycle Synchronization: Implement cell cycle synchronization when comparing YPEL5 distributions, as its localization changes dramatically throughout the cell cycle .
Proximity Ligation Assays: Consider using HRP-conjugated YPEL5 antibodies in proximity ligation assays (PLAs) to visualize interactions with compartment-specific binding partners in situ, following the approach used with unconjugated antibodies to confirm RanBPM association with TNKS1/2 (cytoplasm) and macroH2A1 (nucleus) .
When facing inconsistent results in YPEL5 compartmental analyses, researchers should systematically evaluate several technical and biological factors:
Epitope Masking: YPEL5's interactions with different protein complexes may mask epitopes in compartment-specific manners. If experiencing inconsistent detection between nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions, consider:
Cell Cycle Variation: Given YPEL5's dynamic localization throughout the cell cycle, seeming inconsistencies may reflect biological variation in unsynchronized populations. Implement cell cycle synchronization protocols and conduct time-course analyses to resolve this variability .
Cross-Reactivity Assessment: YPEL5 shares sequence homology with other YPEL family members. Confirm antibody specificity through:
Technical Validation: When data from different methodologies conflict, implement orthogonal approaches:
Despite their advantages, HRP-conjugated YPEL5 antibodies present several technical limitations for protein interaction studies:
Steric Hindrance: The large size of HRP (44 kDa) may interfere with antibody binding to YPEL5 within protein complexes, particularly the GID/CTLH complex where YPEL5 makes multiple protein contacts. This hindrance can be evaluated by:
Conformational Effects: HRP conjugation may alter antibody conformation, affecting binding kinetics or avidity. Researchers should:
Buffer Compatibility: HRP activity is sensitive to common reagents used in protein interaction studies. Avoid:
Cross-linking Artifacts: Chemical conjugation methods may create artificial cross-links between antibodies or between antibody and non-target proteins. This can be minimized by:
Optimizing proximity ligation assays with YPEL5 HRP-conjugated antibodies requires several specialized considerations:
Conjugate Modification Strategy: Standard PLA protocols may need adaptation when using HRP-conjugated antibodies. Consider:
Using the HRP-conjugated YPEL5 antibody with unconjugated antibodies against interaction partners
Implementing a modified protocol where HRP activity is blocked after primary binding but before PLA oligonucleotide ligation
Employing custom PLA probes specifically designed for HRP-conjugated antibodies
Signal Discrimination: When studying proteins that change localization during cell cycle, like YPEL5, implement:
Validation Controls: Include comprehensive controls to ensure signal specificity:
Technical Optimization:
Adjust fixation conditions to preserve both epitope accessibility and cellular architecture
Optimize detergent permeabilization to balance nuclear and cytoplasmic detection
Calibrate antibody concentrations to achieve optimal signal-to-noise ratios
Consider super-resolution microscopy techniques for studying YPEL5 at subcellular structures like the midbody or centrosome
YPEL5 HRP-conjugated antibodies can be strategically integrated into dynamic protein interaction profiling through several advanced approaches:
Sequential Immunoprecipitation: Implement a modified ChIP-ReChIP approach where HRP-conjugated YPEL5 antibodies are used to detect secondary interactors after primary immunoprecipitation of GID/CTLH complex components. This enables identification of transient or weak interactions that may be lost in single-step protocols .
Proximity-Dependent Biotinylation Integration: Combine HRP-conjugated antibody detection with proximity-based labeling techniques:
Temporal Resolution Studies: Apply HRP-conjugated YPEL5 antibodies in time-course experiments tracking YPEL5 redistribution and protein interactions during:
Comparative Interactome Analysis: Utilize HRP-conjugated YPEL5 antibodies to compare interaction profiles between:
When developing assays to investigate YPEL5's role in ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation as part of the GID/CTLH complex, researchers should consider:
Substrate Identification Strategy: YPEL5 HRP-conjugated antibodies can facilitate identification of potential substrates through:
E3 Ligase Activity Assays: When reconstituting in vitro ubiquitination assays:
Include appropriate E1 and E2 enzymes (specifically UBE2H, which is selectively accepted by the GID/CTLH complex)
Verify the presence of all critical complex components (YPEL5, RanBP9, RMND5a/b, etc.)
Monitor both substrate ubiquitination and degradation
Compare wild-type vs. mutant YPEL5 incorporation into the complex
Cell-Based Degradation Assays: Design experiments that can detect changes in substrate stability:
Focus on known substrates like Hbp1 or identify new substrates through proteomic approaches
Implement cycloheximide chase experiments with and without proteasome inhibitors
Use fluorescent protein degron systems coupled with YPEL5 manipulation
Complex Assembly Analysis: Determine how YPEL5 contributes to GID/CTLH complex formation and function:
Based on validated expression patterns, the following tissues and samples serve as optimal positive controls for YPEL5 antibody validation:
| Tissue/Sample Type | Validated Applications | Expected Signal Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse brain tissue | Western Blot | Strong band at 14 kDa |
| Mouse testis tissue | Western Blot, IHC | Diffuse nuclear and cytoplasmic staining |
| Rat brain tissue | Western Blot | Strong band at 14 kDa |
| Human brain tissue | IHC | Nuclear and centrosomal staining |
| Human esophagus cancer | IHC | Primarily nuclear staining |
For immunohistochemistry applications, antigen retrieval with TE buffer (pH 9.0) is recommended, though citrate buffer (pH 6.0) may serve as an alternative . When working with HRP-conjugated antibodies in these tissues, researchers should include appropriate controls for endogenous peroxidase activity.
Comprehensive quality control for YPEL5 HRP-conjugated antibodies should include evaluation of the following parameters:
Antibody Specificity:
Single band detection at 14 kDa in Western blot
Anticipated subcellular localization pattern in immunocytochemistry
Signal reduction or elimination in YPEL5 knockdown/knockout models
Absence of cross-reactivity with other YPEL family members
HRP Conjugation Efficiency:
Molar ratio of HRP to antibody (optimal range: 2-4 HRP molecules per antibody)
Retention of antibody binding capacity post-conjugation
Preserved HRP enzymatic activity
Minimal aggregation or precipitation
Functional Performance:
Sensitivity (limit of detection for YPEL5 protein)
Dynamic range of detection
Signal-to-noise ratio in application-specific conditions
Lot-to-lot consistency in performance metrics
Stability under storage and working conditions
Application-Specific Validation:
Titration curves to determine optimal working dilution (typically 1:500-1:1000 for ELISA)
Background assessment in negative control samples
Comparison against unconjugated antibody plus secondary detection
Performance in the presence of potential interfering substances
These parameters should be systematically documented to ensure reproducible results across experimental applications and research contexts .