ZNF562 belongs to the krueppel C2H2-type zinc finger protein family, characterized by DNA-binding domains and a KRAB domain for transcriptional repression . The antibody targets ZNF562 to enable its detection in various experimental contexts, including Western blotting (WB), immunoprecipitation (IP), immunofluorescence (IF), and flow cytometry .
ZNF562 Antibody is validated for diverse techniques, with key applications summarized below:
Transcriptional Regulation: ZNF562 may repress gene expression via KRAB domain-mediated recruitment of chromatin-modifying enzymes .
Cancer Studies: Overexpression observed in gastric and lung cancers, suggesting potential oncogenic roles .
Cross-Species Reactivity: Polyclonal antibodies (e.g., ABIN2784565) show reactivity with rat, cow, and dog orthologs .
ZNF562 Antibodies vary in clonality, epitope targeting, and host species, influencing specificity and utility.
Specificity: Monoclonal antibodies (e.g., PCRP-ZNF562-1A1) show high specificity in protein array analyses .
Sensitivity: Polyclonal antibodies (e.g., STJ117101) achieve clear staining in IHC at 1:100 dilution .
ZNF562 is a zinc finger protein that contains DNA-binding domains and is primarily involved in transcriptional regulation . Like other zinc-finger proteins, it has a wide variety of functions centered around transcriptional activation or repression mechanisms . ZNF562 localizes primarily to the nucleus and nucleoplasm, with some presence in vesicular structures . With a molecular weight of approximately 48.5kDa, this protein is encoded by gene ID 54811/371107 and corresponds to UniProt entry Q6V9R5 . Current research indicates its potential importance in gene expression regulation, though specific pathways and target genes require further characterization through experimental approaches using validated antibodies.
Multiple types of ZNF562 antibodies have been developed for research applications:
Monoclonal mouse antibodies: Examples include PCRP-ZNF562-1A1 and ABIN7126818, which are generated against recombinant full-length human ZNF562 protein . These offer high specificity for targeted applications.
Polyclonal rabbit antibodies: Such as NBP2-84359, which is generated using a synthetic peptide directed towards the C-terminal region of human ZNF562 . The specific immunogen sequence is: CKECGQAFTQYTGLAIHIRNHTGEKPYQCKECGKAFNRSSTLTQHRRIHT .
The choice between monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies depends on experimental requirements, with monoclonals offering higher specificity for single epitopes and polyclonals providing broader detection capability across multiple epitopes.
ZNF562 antibodies have been validated for multiple experimental applications:
Western Blot: Using concentrations of approximately 1.0 μg/ml for detection of ZNF562 in human tissue samples such as thymus tumor .
Flow Cytometry: Validated for analysis of PFA-fixed cells including HeLa and U87 cell lines, typically using secondary detection with fluorescently-labeled anti-IgG antibodies like goat anti-mouse IgG-CF488 .
Immunofluorescence: Effective at concentrations around 0.5 μg/ml in PFA-fixed cells, often with complementary membrane staining using phalloidin .
Immunoprecipitation: Recommended usage of 1-2 μg per 100-500 μg of total protein (1 mL of cell lysate) .
ELISA and Coating applications: Particularly with antibodies formulated without BSA for optimal coating efficiency .
The selection of application should be based on experimental objectives, with appropriate controls implemented for each method.
Proper storage and handling of ZNF562 antibodies is critical for maintaining their functionality:
Short-term storage: Store at 4°C for immediate use or short periods (days to weeks) .
Long-term storage: Aliquot and store at -20°C to -80°C to minimize freeze-thaw cycles that can degrade antibody activity .
Formulation considerations: Some antibodies are available in specialized formulations that enhance stability, such as preparation in PBS with 2% sucrose and preservatives like 0.09% sodium azide . For coating applications, azide-free and BSA-free formulations are preferred .
Shipping and receiving: Antibodies are typically shipped with polar packs and should be immediately transferred to recommended storage temperatures upon receipt .
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by preparing small aliquots before freezing, as this can significantly extend the functional lifespan of the antibody .
Determining optimal ZNF562 antibody concentration requires systematic titration across applications:
For Western blot: Begin with the manufacturer's recommended concentration (typically 1.0 μg/ml for ZNF562 antibodies) and perform a dilution series (0.2-5 μg/ml) using positive control lysates from validated cell lines like HeLa or U87 . Quantify signal-to-noise ratio across concentrations to identify the minimum concentration providing robust detection.
For Immunofluorescence: Start with 0.5 μg/ml as a baseline concentration and test a range between 0.1-2 μg/ml. Include negative controls (secondary antibody only) and positive controls (cells with known ZNF562 expression). Evaluate both signal intensity and background across different fixation methods (PFA versus methanol) to determine optimal conditions.
For Flow cytometry: Perform parallel staining of fixed cells using 0.5-2 μg antibody per million cells alongside unstained controls. Analyze median fluorescence intensity and population separation to identify optimal concentration.
For multi-parameter experiments: Consider antibody cross-reactivity by testing against a protein array containing multiple human proteins, similar to the validation performed for PCRP-ZNF562-1A1 against 19,000 full-length human proteins . This approach helps identify potential off-target binding that could affect experimental interpretation.
Comprehensive validation of ZNF562 antibody specificity involves multiple complementary approaches:
Z-score and S-score analysis: As demonstrated for the PCRP-ZNF562-1A1 antibody, Z-scores represent the binding signal strength to particular proteins normalized to standard deviations above mean values. S-scores (the difference between Z-scores) quantify relative specificity, with values ≥2.5 indicating acceptable target specificity . For example, if an antibody binds to ZNF562 with a Z-score of 43 and to another protein with a Z-score of 14, the S-score would be 29, indicating high specificity .
Protein array screening: Testing against arrays containing thousands of full-length human proteins provides comprehensive assessment of potential cross-reactivity .
Western blot validation: Confirming single band detection at the expected molecular weight (48.5kDa for ZNF562) in positive control samples.
Knockdown/knockout validation: Comparing antibody signal in wild-type versus ZNF562-depleted samples (siRNA knockdown or CRISPR knockout).
Multiple antibody concordance: Testing whether different antibodies targeting distinct ZNF562 epitopes show similar staining patterns.
Cross-species reactivity assessment: While many ZNF562 antibodies are human-specific , evaluating detection across species can provide additional specificity information.
These approaches collectively establish confidence in antibody specificity and experimental reliability.
When designing ChIP experiments to study ZNF562 DNA binding patterns, researchers should consider:
Antibody selection: Choose antibodies validated for immunoprecipitation applications with demonstrated nuclear staining patterns . Polyclonal antibodies like NBP2-84359 may capture a broader range of protein-DNA interactions, while monoclonals provide higher epitope specificity.
Crosslinking optimization: Since ZNF562 is a transcription regulator with DNA-binding domains , standard formaldehyde crosslinking (1% for 10 minutes) may be sufficient, but optimization might be necessary for detecting weaker or transient interactions.
Sonication parameters: Adjust sonication conditions to generate DNA fragments of 200-500bp while maintaining ZNF562 epitope integrity. Verify fragment size distribution by agarose gel electrophoresis before proceeding.
Input controls: Include whole chromatin (input) samples from each experimental condition for normalization of ChIP-qPCR data or sequencing library preparation.
Negative controls: Incorporate IgG-matched control immunoprecipitations and samples from cells with reduced ZNF562 expression to establish background binding levels.
Target validation: After identification of potential ZNF562 binding sites, confirm functional relevance through reporter assays or gene expression analysis following ZNF562 modulation.
Bioinformatic analysis: Analyze sequence motifs in ZNF562-bound regions to identify potential consensus binding sequences consistent with zinc finger domain binding preferences.
Addressing signal problems with ZNF562 antibodies requires systematic evaluation of multiple experimental parameters:
For weak signals:
Antibody concentration: Increase concentration incrementally (e.g., from 0.5 μg/ml to 1-2 μg/ml for immunofluorescence) .
Protein expression: Verify ZNF562 expression levels in your experimental system, as endogenous levels may vary significantly between cell types.
Epitope accessibility: Test different fixation and permeabilization protocols, as nuclear proteins can require optimized conditions for antibody access.
Signal amplification: Consider using higher-sensitivity detection systems such as tyramide signal amplification or more sensitive secondary antibodies.
Protein extraction: For Western blot applications, ensure complete extraction of nuclear proteins using appropriate lysis buffers containing DNase.
For non-specific signals:
Blocking optimization: Test different blocking reagents (BSA, normal serum, commercial blockers) and extend blocking time to reduce background.
Antibody specificity: Verify antibody specificity through protein array analysis or other validation methods described in question 2.2 .
Secondary antibody cross-reactivity: Test secondary antibody alone to identify potential non-specific binding.
Washing stringency: Increase number and duration of washes using buffers with optimized detergent concentration.
Cell/tissue autofluorescence: Include unstained controls to assess natural fluorescence of your samples , particularly important for flow cytometry applications.
Investigating ZNF562's function in transcriptional regulation requires integrative experimental approaches:
Identification of binding partners: Use co-immunoprecipitation with ZNF562 antibodies followed by mass spectrometry to identify protein interaction networks. This can reveal associations with known transcriptional machinery components or chromatin remodelers.
Genome-wide binding profile: Implement ChIP-seq using validated ZNF562 antibodies to map binding sites across the genome under different cellular conditions. Compare binding patterns to known transcription factor binding sites and histone modification distributions.
Transcriptome analysis after ZNF562 modulation: Combine RNA-seq with ZNF562 overexpression, knockdown, or knockout to identify genes regulated by this transcription factor. Classify genes as directly or indirectly regulated based on integration with ChIP-seq data.
Motif analysis and DNA binding specificity: Determine the DNA sequence preferences of ZNF562 through techniques like SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) or protein binding microarrays, then correlate with motifs enriched in ChIP-seq peaks.
Functional reporter assays: Clone potential ZNF562-regulated promoters or enhancers into reporter constructs to directly test transcriptional activation or repression capabilities.
Subcellular localization dynamics: Use immunofluorescence with ZNF562 antibodies at 0.5 μg/ml to track nuclear localization changes in response to cellular stimuli or differentiation states.
Post-translational modification analysis: Investigate how modifications affect ZNF562 function using phospho-specific or other modification-specific antibodies in combination with general ZNF562 detection.
Comprehensive experimental design for ZNF562 immunostaining requires multiple controls:
Primary antibody controls:
Isotype control: Include matched IgG1 for monoclonal antibodies or normal rabbit IgG for polyclonal antibodies at equivalent concentrations.
Concentration series: Test multiple antibody dilutions to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio.
Competing peptide: When using peptide-generated antibodies like NBP2-84359 , pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide to verify epitope specificity.
Secondary antibody controls:
Secondary-only control: Omit primary antibody while maintaining all other steps to assess non-specific secondary binding.
Fluorophore controls: Include single-color controls when performing multicolor imaging to account for spectral overlap.
Sample validation controls:
Positive control samples: Include cell lines with confirmed ZNF562 expression such as HeLa or U87 cells, which have been validated for ZNF562 antibody staining .
Expression manipulation: Include samples with ZNF562 overexpression or knockdown to confirm antibody detection dynamics.
Subcellular marker co-staining: Co-stain with nuclear markers (DAPI) and nucleoplasm/vesicle markers to confirm expected localization patterns .
Technical controls:
Quantitative analysis of ZNF562 expression requires rigorous methodological approaches:
Western blot quantification:
Use purified recombinant ZNF562 protein to generate a standard curve for absolute quantification.
Normalize ZNF562 band intensity to appropriate loading controls (β-actin for whole cell lysates; histone H3 for nuclear fractions).
Employ infrared fluorescent secondary antibodies for expanded linear detection range compared to chemiluminescence.
Include gradient loading of control samples to ensure measurements fall within linear detection range.
Flow cytometry quantification:
Use calibration beads with known antibody binding capacity to convert fluorescence intensity to molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome (MESF).
Apply this calibration to ZNF562 staining to estimate molecules per cell.
Include unstained cells to establish baseline fluorescence .
Gate cell populations based on cell cycle phase (using DNA content staining) to account for variation in nuclear protein expression.
Immunofluorescence quantification:
Establish standardized image acquisition parameters (exposure, gain, offset).
Measure nuclear ZNF562 signal intensity within defined nuclear regions (DAPI-positive areas).
Correct for background using regions outside cells.
Consider nuclear size/area in quantification, as ZNF562 is a nuclear protein .
Use automated image analysis software to reduce subjective bias in quantification.
qPCR for transcript quantification:
Design primers spanning exon-exon junctions in the ZNF562 gene.
Use absolute quantification with a standard curve of known copy numbers.
Normalize to multiple reference genes validated for stability in your experimental system.
Multi-parameter analysis of ZNF562 requires careful experimental design:
Antibody panel design for flow cytometry:
When incorporating ZNF562 antibodies into multi-color panels, select fluorophores based on expression level (brighter fluorophores for lower-expressed targets).
Validate absence of spectral overlap with other channels through single-stained controls.
For intracellular ZNF562 detection in flow cytometry (0.5-2 μg/million cells) , ensure fixation and permeabilization protocols are compatible with other surface or intracellular markers.
Multiplex immunofluorescence:
When combining ZNF562 detection with other targets, select antibodies from different host species to avoid cross-reactivity of secondary antibodies.
If using multiple antibodies from the same species, consider sequential staining with intermediate blocking steps or directly conjugated primary antibodies.
Match subcellular compartment markers appropriately, using nuclear/nucleoplasm markers alongside ZNF562 .
Co-immunoprecipitation experiments:
For studying ZNF562 protein interactions, optimize lysis conditions to preserve protein complexes while effectively extracting nuclear proteins.
Consider crosslinking approaches for transient or weak interactions.
Use antibodies validated for immunoprecipitation applications and confirm they don't interfere with protein-protein interaction domains.
Multi-omics integration:
When combining ZNF562 ChIP-seq with transcriptomics, ensure consistent experimental conditions and appropriate time points to capture direct regulatory effects.
For proteomics studies, consider antibody-based enrichment of ZNF562-containing complexes prior to mass spectrometry analysis.
Develop computational workflows to integrate binding data, expression changes, and protein interaction networks for comprehensive understanding of ZNF562 function.
As research on transcription factors like ZNF562 continues to evolve, several advanced techniques are becoming increasingly relevant:
CUT&RUN and CUT&Tag: These techniques offer advantages over traditional ChIP for mapping ZNF562 genomic binding sites, including lower input requirements, reduced background, and improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Proximity labeling methods: BioID or APEX2 fused to ZNF562 can identify proximal proteins in living cells, providing dynamic interaction maps in different cellular contexts.
Single-cell approaches: Adapting ZNF562 antibody staining protocols for single-cell technologies can reveal cell-to-cell variation in expression and localization, especially important for heterogeneous populations.
CRISPR screens: Pooled or arrayed CRISPR screens targeting genes co-regulated with ZNF562 or potential interacting partners can help establish functional networks.
Structural studies: As methodologies improve, determining the structure of ZNF562 DNA-binding domains in complex with target sequences could provide mechanistic insights into transcriptional regulation.