YWHAH antibodies are immunological reagents designed to detect and study the tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein eta (YWHAH), a 28 kDa protein encoded by the YWHAH gene (UniProt ID: Q04917). These antibodies are widely used in molecular biology to investigate YWHAH’s role in cellular processes such as signal transduction, apoptosis, and viral replication .
YWHAH antibodies have been instrumental in uncovering its role in gastric cancer (GC) pathogenesis:
Mechanism: YWHAH interacts with Fos-related antigen 1 (Fra-1) to activate the HMGA1/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, promoting GC cell proliferation. Silencing YWHAH reduced Fra-1 expression and suppressed tumor growth .
Methods: Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) combined with LC-MS/MS identified YWHAH as a Fra-1-binding partner. Western blotting confirmed YWHAH’s regulatory effect on Fra-1 mRNA and protein levels in SGC7901 and AGS cell lines .
YWHAH antibodies revealed its antiviral role against influenza A virus (IAV):
Function: YWHAH interacts with the viral M2 protein, impairing virion budding and reducing viral titers by 1.5–2-fold. Overexpression of YWHAH inhibited IAV replication, while knockout cells showed enhanced viral production .
Experimental Validation:
YWHAH antibodies detected reduced YWHAH levels in brain-derived extracellular vesicles (BDEVs), suggesting its potential as a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases. Western blot validation confirmed downregulation in pathological conditions .
Specificity: Antibodies like ab206292 (Abcam) and 15222-1-AP (Proteintech) show high specificity for YWHAH, with no cross-reactivity against other 14-3-3 isoforms (e.g., YWHAG, YWHAZ) .
Sample Types: Validated in human fetal brain, Jurkat, HeLa, and rodent tissue lysates .
Efficiency: ab206292 successfully immunoprecipitated YWHAH from human brain lysates, with minimal background noise from isotype controls .
YWHAH has been implicated in multiple disease pathways, notably in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) where it functions as part of the LINC00943/miR-1252-5p/YWHAH axis to promote tumor progression . Additionally, its role in brain-derived extracellular vesicles (BDEVs) suggests potential involvement in neurological conditions and intercellular communication in the central nervous system . These diverse functions highlight why YWHAH antibodies have become essential tools in neurological, oncological, and fundamental cell biology research.
YWHAH antibody has been validated for multiple laboratory applications, making it a versatile tool for researchers. The main validated applications include Western Blot (WB), Immunoprecipitation (IP), Immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Immunofluorescence/Immunocytochemistry (IF/ICC) . Experimental validation has confirmed positive Western Blot detection in human brain tissue, A431 cells, mouse brain tissue, NIH/3T3 cells, and Raji cells, demonstrating the antibody's versatility across different tissue and cell types . For immunoprecipitation applications, YWHAH antibody has been validated in NIH/3T3 cells, while positive immunohistochemistry results have been obtained in human skin cancer tissue and human stomach tissue . Immunofluorescence applications have been successfully demonstrated in HeLa cells, further expanding the utility of this antibody in cellular localization studies .
Optimal dilution ratios are critical for achieving reliable and reproducible results when using YWHAH antibody. The following dilutions are recommended based on extensive experimental validation:
| Application | Recommended Dilution |
|---|---|
| Western Blot (WB) | 1:500-1:2000 |
| Immunoprecipitation (IP) | 0.5-4.0 μg for 1.0-3.0 mg of total protein lysate |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | 1:50-1:500 |
| Immunofluorescence (IF)/ICC | 1:10-1:100 |
It is important to note that these are general recommendations and researchers should optimize the dilution for their specific experimental conditions and sample types. The antibody performance can be sample-dependent, so preliminary titration experiments are advisable to determine the optimal concentration for your specific research application .
The YWHAH antibody (such as the 15222-1-AP from Proteintech) has been tested and confirmed to react with human, mouse, and rat samples . This cross-species reactivity makes it particularly valuable for comparative studies across model organisms and for translational research where findings in animal models are being evaluated for human relevance. The antibody targets the YWHAH protein (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, eta polypeptide) with a calculated molecular weight of 28 kDa, which is consistent with the observed molecular weight in experimental applications .
Proper storage is essential for maintaining antibody performance over time. YWHAH antibody should be stored at -20°C, where it remains stable for one year after shipment . The antibody is typically supplied in a storage buffer consisting of PBS with 0.02% sodium azide and 50% glycerol at pH 7.3, which helps maintain stability. Unlike some antibodies, aliquoting is unnecessary for -20°C storage of YWHAH antibody, which simplifies laboratory management. For smaller quantities (20 μl sizes), the preparation may contain 0.1% BSA as a stabilizer . Always avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can degrade antibody quality and affect experimental outcomes.
When designing experiments using YWHAH antibody, appropriate controls are essential for result validation. For Western blotting or immunoprecipitation experiments, consider using known positive controls such as human brain tissue or NIH/3T3 cells, which have been verified to express YWHAH . For negative controls, cell lines with YWHAH knockout or knockdown can provide valuable validation, as demonstrated in published studies using siRNA targeting YWHAH .
For quantitative analyses, GAPDH is commonly used as a loading control and internal reference for normalization in Western blotting and qPCR experiments involving YWHAH . Additionally, when performing antibody validation, comparing the observed molecular weight (28 kDa) to the calculated molecular weight helps confirm specificity . For more rigorous validation, incorporating siRNA-mediated knockdown of YWHAH can provide compelling evidence of antibody specificity.
Detection of YWHAH in brain-derived extracellular vesicles requires specific optimization due to the complex nature of these vesicles and potentially lower protein abundance. Based on validated protocols, researchers should consider the following approach:
For Western blot analysis of YWHAH in BDEVs, load approximately 15 μg of BDEV protein extract and perform the separation under reducing conditions using a 10% Bis-tris gel . The YWHAH antibody (such as 15222-1-AP from Proteintech) should be diluted according to the manufacturer's recommendations, typically within the 1:500-1:2000 range for Western blotting . For optimal chemiluminescent detection, use a sensitive substrate such as SuperSignal West Pico Chemiluminescent Substrate .
Importantly, BDEV isolation must be carefully performed to maintain vesicle integrity and protein content. Standard differential ultracentrifugation protocols followed by validation of vesicle markers should precede YWHAH detection. When analyzing results, particularly in comparative studies, normalize the data appropriately and conduct statistical analysis using approaches such as unpaired t-tests with Welch's correction for datasets with unequal variances .
Recent research has identified YWHAH as a significant player in cancer progression, particularly in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) through the LINC00943/miR-1252-5p/YWHAH regulatory axis . When investigating YWHAH's role in cancer, researchers should consider:
miRNA Regulatory Networks: YWHAH is targeted by miR-1252-5p in LAD, and this interaction can be verified using dual-luciferase reporter assays and RNA pull-down experiments . When designing such experiments, construct YWHAH 3′UTR mutant (MUT) and wild-type (WT) vectors based on the miR-1252-5p binding site, and use appropriate controls such as mimics NC for comparison .
Signaling Pathway Analysis: YWHAH has been shown to activate the HMGA1/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway . When investigating these pathways, consider measuring the expression levels of multiple pathway components (AKT, PI3K, PDK1, mTOR, HMGA1) alongside YWHAH using qPCR with appropriate primers and GAPDH as internal control .
Functional Assays: To assess YWHAH's role in cancer cell behavior, incorporate functional assays such as MTT for cell viability/proliferation and Transwell assays for migration and invasion capabilities . For Transwell invasion assays, use 8-mm pore size chambers pre-coated with Matrigel, and culture cells in serum-free medium in the upper chamber with complete medium in the lower chamber .
Gene silencing experiments are critical for investigating YWHAH function. When designing siRNA experiments targeting YWHAH, consider the following validated approach:
siRNA Selection: Design or select at least three different siRNAs targeting distinct regions of the YWHAH gene to ensure specificity and account for potential differences in knockdown efficiency. Validated siRNA sequences for YWHAH include:
Control Design: Always include a non-targeting control siRNA (si-NC) such as 5′-ACGUGACACGUUCGGAGAATT-3′ to distinguish between specific and non-specific effects .
Transfection Optimization: Optimize transfection conditions for your specific cell type. Common transfection reagents like Lipofectamine® 2000 work well for most cell lines, but efficiency can vary. Test multiple siRNA concentrations (typically 10-50 nM) and different cell densities to determine optimal conditions.
Knockdown Validation: Confirm YWHAH knockdown at both mRNA and protein levels using qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. For qPCR, use YWHAH-specific primers: forward 5′-TCAAGAAGGTGGTGAAGCAGG-3′, reverse 5′-TCAAAGGTGGAGGAGTGGGT-3′ with GAPDH as internal control .
Functional Analysis: After confirming knockdown, proceed with functional assays relevant to your research question, such as cell proliferation, migration, invasion, or signaling pathway analysis to determine the consequences of YWHAH silencing.
The regulatory network involving LINC00943, miR-1252-5p, and YWHAH represents an important mechanism in cancer progression, particularly in lung adenocarcinoma. To effectively study this axis, researchers should consider the following methodological approaches:
Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assays: To confirm the direct interaction between miR-1252-5p and YWHAH, construct YWHAH 3′UTR mutant (MUT) or wild-type (WT) using the miR-1252-5p binding site on YWHAH with pmirGLO vectors . Co-transfect these constructs with miR-1252-5p mimics or mimics NC into appropriate cell lines (e.g., A549 cells) using Lipofectamine® 2000. After 24 hours, assess luciferase activity using a Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System .
RNA Pull-Down Assays: To further validate the physical interaction between miR-1252-5p and YWHAH, perform RNA pull-down assays using biotinylated miR-1252-5p. This approach has successfully demonstrated that biotinylated miR-1252-5p abundantly enriches YWHAH in pull-down products from lung adenocarcinoma cells .
Expression Analysis: Analyze the expression relationship between miR-1252-5p and YWHAH by transfecting cells with miR-1252-5p mimics or inhibitors and measuring YWHAH expression changes at both mRNA and protein levels. Previous studies have shown that miR-1252-5p mimics hinder YWHAH expression while miR-1252-5p inhibitors facilitate YWHAH expression in A549 cells .
RT-qPCR Protocol: For accurate quantification of LINC00943, miR-1252-5p, and YWHAH expression, use RT-qPCR with appropriate reference genes. For miR-1252-5p detection, use U6 as an internal reference, and for LINC00943 and YWHAH mRNA detection, use GAPDH as an internal reference. Calculate relative expression using the 2^-△△Ct method .
YWHAH has been implicated in activating the HMGA1/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which is crucial in multiple cellular processes, including cancer progression. To investigate this relationship, consider the following experimental approach:
Gene Expression Analysis: Measure the expression levels of key pathway components alongside YWHAH using qPCR. Use validated primers for YWHAH, AKT, PI3K, PDK1, and mTOR:
Protein Analysis by Western Blotting: For protein level analysis, prepare cell lysates and determine protein concentration using BCA assay. Load 40 μg of protein onto 10% SDS-PAGE gel and transfer to PVDF membranes. Incubate with primary antibodies against YWHAH (1:1000) and GAPDH (1:2000) overnight at 4°C, followed by appropriate secondary antibody incubation. Develop using ECL luminescence reagent, with GAPDH as a loading control .
Pathway Modulation: To establish causality, manipulate YWHAH expression (using siRNA or overexpression vectors) and observe the effects on downstream pathway components. This approach can demonstrate whether YWHAH directly influences PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation.
Phosphorylation Analysis: Since the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway involves extensive protein phosphorylation, include phospho-specific antibodies (e.g., p-AKT, p-mTOR) in your Western blotting panel to assess pathway activation status in response to YWHAH modulation.
For successful immunohistochemistry (IHC) using YWHAH antibody, follow these validated protocols:
Dilute the YWHAH antibody to a working concentration within the range of 1:50-1:500, with the exact dilution requiring optimization for your specific tissue and detection system . For antigen retrieval, use TE buffer at pH 9.0, although citrate buffer at pH 6.0 can serve as an alternative method . YWHAH antibody has been successfully used for IHC on human skin cancer tissue and human stomach tissue, providing reference points for protocol development .
The standard IHC protocol involves deparaffinization, rehydration, antigen retrieval, blocking of endogenous peroxidase activity, protein blocking, primary antibody incubation (ideally overnight at 4°C), secondary antibody incubation, visualization using an appropriate detection system, counterstaining, dehydration, and mounting. Each step should be optimized for the specific tissue type being examined.
For optimal Western blot detection of YWHAH, consider the following validated approach:
Prepare protein samples from relevant tissues or cells, with human brain tissue, A431 cells, mouse brain tissue, NIH/3T3 cells, or Raji cells serving as positive controls . For brain-derived extracellular vesicles, load approximately 15 μg of protein . Use a 10% Bis-tris gel for protein separation under reducing conditions . After transfer to an appropriate membrane, block and then incubate with YWHAH antibody at a dilution between 1:500 and 1:2000 .
For detection, SuperSignal West Pico Chemiluminescent Substrate has been successfully used in published studies . The expected molecular weight for YWHAH is 28 kDa, which should serve as a reference point when evaluating bands . For quantitative comparisons, include an appropriate loading control such as GAPDH and use an imaging system like Azure CSeries Imager for consistent results .
Accurate quantification of YWHAH protein is crucial for comparative studies. When designing experiments to quantify YWHAH, consider:
Sample Preparation: For total protein extraction, use standardized lysis buffers with protease inhibitors to prevent degradation. For subcellular fractionation, employ established protocols suitable for your sample type.
Protein Quantification: Use a reliable method such as BCA assay to determine total protein concentration before loading samples for Western blotting . This ensures equal loading across samples and enables accurate comparison.
Loading Controls: Always include appropriate loading controls such as GAPDH for normalization of YWHAH expression . This accounts for variations in total protein loading and transfer efficiency.
Quantification Method: For Western blot quantification, use densitometry analysis with appropriate software. Ensure the signal is within the linear range of detection to avoid saturation, which compromises accurate quantification.
Statistical Analysis: For comparing YWHAH levels between experimental groups, apply appropriate statistical tests. For instance, unpaired t-tests with Welch's correction have been used in published studies for comparing YWHAH levels . Consider proteins with p-value < 0.05 and an absolute fold-change ≥ 1.5 as significantly different between experimental conditions .