Western Blot Loading Control Antibodies
admin August 3, 2012
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The proteins and peptides that regularly serve as endogenous or internal controls may not always take center stage in your research, but they are indispensable to your conducting meaningful experiments and are essential for publication.
The Western blot is an immunoassay that requires such controls as they are widely used for determining specific protein levels via Western blot quantification; internal control proteins are detected for Western blot loading controls following primary detection of a protein of interest. This step is used to standardize results and normalize for any errors that creep into a Western blot experiment, such as sample loss through loading at SDS-PAGE or Western blot transfer.
The loading control candidates for Western blotting are usually proteins with high and constitutive expression. The most basic criterion for a loading control is that its levels remain unchanged throughout an experiment, regardless of tissues or cell types used and how they are handled. This means control candidates require careful selection; even bastions of the loading control repertoire — such as β-actin and α-tubulin — can be affected by the conditions of your experiment (so be sure to double check your chosen manipulations do not impact them.)
Here we provide background information on each of the internal control proteins targeted by antibodies featuring in our great early-August half-price offer, helping you choose the best control for your needs…
Actin
Type: Whole cell/cytoplasm
Molecular weight: ~42kDa
Western blot analysis of ACTB in multiple cell line and tissue lysates using anti-beta actin mouse monoclonal (60008-1-Ig) at a dilution of 1:5000.
The six isoforms of actin constitute a family of highly conserved globular proteins comprised of three main isoform groups, alpha, beta, and gamma. The alpha actins — alpha C1 and alpha 1 and 2 — are a major constituent of the contractile apparatus in muscle tissues. The beta (β) and gamma 1 and 2 (γ1 and γ2) actins co-exist in most cell types and are an integral part of the cytoskeleton; they are mediators of cell trafficking, structural integrity and cell motility. Together, actins are the most abundant proteins in the typical eukaryotic cell, accounting for about 15 percent of total protein in some cell types. As such, actin is widely used as an internal control in Western blotting experiments.
HeLa cell lysate (10 ug/lane) was separated by SDS-PAGE and actin was detected by anti-ACTB antibody 20536-1-AP at varying dilutions. (L-R) 1:500, 1:1,000, 1:2,000 and 1:4,000.
Proteintech’s polyclonal ACTB antibody (20536-1-AP) was generated using a β-actin protein antigen (amino acids 14–167) and recognizes all forms of actin, making it a pan-actin antibody. Many studies use β-actin antibodies recognizing all actin isoforms to probe for this loading control collective. However, if your studies involve work with skeletal muscle samples, or you are working with conditions that see changes in cell growth or altered interactions with the extracellular matrix another loading control may be better suited to your needs.
Actin antibodies*
Rabbit polyclonal ACTB antibody — 20536-1-AP
Mouse monoclonal ACTB antibody‡ — 60008-1-Ig
Related products†
Rabbit polyclonal ACTA1 antibody — 17521-1-AP
Rabbit polyclonal ACTA2antibody — 55135-1-AP
COX-4
Type: Mitochondrial
Molecular weight: 17kDa
Immunoprecipitation of COXVI from mouse skeletal muscle whole tissue lysate using COXVI antibody 11242-1-AP.
COX-4, or COXIV (cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV), is a nuclear-encoded subunit of the human mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (COX). The COX-4 subunit can be expressed as either of two isoforms, isoform 1 and 2 named COX4I1 and COX4I2 respectively. COX4I1 expression is ubiquitous throughout all tissues, whilst COX4I2 is lung-specific. Because of its dependably high level, COX4I1 is commonly detected as an effective loading control for mitochondria. However, some caution is advised when selecting this protein for Western blot detection as many other proteins run at its 17kDa size during SDS-PAGE (make sure your band of interest won’t be obscured). It is also advisory to double check that any experimental manipulations do not affect its levels. For an alternative mitochondrial control see our entry on VDAC1 below.
Proteintech’s COX4I1 antibody (11242-1-AP) was generated against a COX4I1 whole-protein antigen (amino acids 1–169) and also recognizes COX4I2.
COX-4 antibodies*
Rabbit polyclonal COX4I1 antibody —11242-1-AP
Rabbit polyclonal COX4I2 antibody — 11463-1-AP
GAPDH
Type: Whole Cell/cytoplasmic
Molecular weight: 36kDa
Western blot with Hela cell lysate using anti-GAPDH (10494-1-AP) at various dilutions (L-R: 1:2000, 1:4000, 1:8000 and 1:16000).
Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, commonly known as GAPDH, catalyzes the sixth step of glycolysis, it also participates in nuclear events such as transcription, RNA binding and transport, DNA replication and repair, as well as apoptosis. Its expression is high and constant in most tissues and cell types, earning the gene and its protein housekeeping status. Because of this, GAPDH is commonly used as a protein loading control in Western blot and internal control for RT-PCR. However, the amount of GAPDH expression can differ between some tissues and its suitability for your experiment should be taken into consideration before selecting this target as a control. Please note that some physiological factors, such as hypoxia and diabetes, increase GAPDH expression in certain cell types.
Proteintech has both monoclonal GAPDH (60004-1-Ig) and polyclonal GAPDH (10494-1-AP) antibodies available, both raised against a whole-protein antigen (amino acids 1–335) of human origin.
GAPDH antibodies*
rabbit polyclonal GAPDH antibody — 10494-1-AP
Mouse monoclonal GAPDH antibody‡ — 60004-1-Ig
Lamin B1
Type: Nuclear
Molecular weight: 66kDa
Immunofluorescence analysis of Lamin B1 in HepG2 cells, using LMNB1 antibody 12987-1-AP at 1:50 dilution and FITC-labeled donkey anti-rabbit IgG (green).
Lamins are integral components of the nuclear lamina, a dense, fibrous layer underlying the nuclear envelope on its nucleoplasmic side. Lamins play an important role in the structural integrity of the nucleus and its traffic control, as well as interacting with chromatin and gene expression. Vertebrate lamins consist of two types, A and B. The LMNB1 gene encodes one of the two B type proteins, lamin B1 and can be used as a loading control for those working with nuclear fractions; however, this protein is not suitable for samples where the nuclear envelope has been removed. It is also worthwhile to note that lamins become phosphorylated during mitosis when the lamina matrix is reversibly disassembled. Proteintech’s LMNB1 antibody (12987-1-AP) has been raised against a protein antigen (amino acids 236 to 586 at the C-terminus) and is validated for use in Western blot, IHC, ELISA and immunofluorescence.
Lamin antibodies*
Rabbit polyclonal LMNB1 antibody* – 12987-2-AP
Related antibodies†
Rabbit polyclonal LMNA/C antibody – 10298-1-AP
PCNA
Type: Nuclear
Molecular weight: 36kDa
Immunofluorescence analysis of PCNA in HepG2 cells, using PCNA antibody 10205-2-AP at 1:50 dilution and FITC-labeled donkey anti-rabbit IgG (green).
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) is a processivity factor for DNA polymerase δ; it helps control eukaryotic DNA replication by increasing polymerase nucleotide processing ability during elongation of the leading strand. PCNA protein has been highly conserved throughout evolution — the amino acid sequences of rats and humans differ by only 4 of 261 amino acids — meaning whole-protein raised antibodies targeting PCNA should work across multiple species.
Levels of PCNA do not vary with cell cycle status in mammalian cells, but, as it is more abundant in proliferating cells, PCNA is mostly used as loading control in cell populations undergoing proliferation. PCNA is best avoided if your experiments induce DNA damage as this protein is quickly degraded when DNA damage pathways are activated.
Proteintech’s PCNA antibody is a rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against an internal region of human PCNA, encompassing amino acids 8-256.
PCNA antibodies*
Rabbit polyclonal PCNA antibody – 10205-2-AP
Mouse monoclonal PCNA antibody‡ – 60097-1-Ig
Tubulin
Type: Whole cell/cytoplasmic
Molecular weight: 50-55kDa
Western blot on multiple cells with anti-tubulin-alpha (11224-1-AP) at a dilution of 1:1,000.
Tubulins are the major components of microtubules, the major transport network in cells. The microtubules are involved in a wide variety of cellular activities ranging from mitosis and transport events to cell movement and the maintenance of cell shape. Highly and stably expressed and conserved across the species, tubulins make excellent whole cell or cytoplasmic fraction loading controls in Western blotting. However, tubulin expression may vary according to resistance to antimicrobial and antimitotic drugs.
Proteintech has polyclonal antibodies against several tubulin subunits including an α-tubulin antibody (11224-1-AP) and two β-tubulin antibodies 10068-1-AP and 10094-1-Ap.
Tubulin antibodies*
Rabbit polyclonal alpha tubulin antibody – 11224-1-AP
Rabbit polyclonal beta tubulin antibody (antigen: amino acids 43-258) – 10068-1-AP
Rabbit polyclonal beta tubulin antibody (antigen: amino acids 57-294) – 10094-1-AP
Related antibodies†
Mouse monoclonal alpha tubulin antibody – 66031-1-Ig
TBP
Type: Nuclear
Molecular weight: 38kDa
Colo320 cell lysate was separated by SDS PAGE then subject to Western blot using Proteintech anti-TBP antibody 22006-1-AP at dilution of 1:1500.
The TATA binding protein (TBP) is a transcription factor that binds specifically to the TATA box DNA sequence, found around 25-30 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site of around 10-20 percent of eukaryotic gene promoters. TBP, along with a variety of TBP-associated factors, make up the TFIID, a general transcription factor that in turn makes up part of the RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex (PIC). As one of the few proteins in the RNA PIC that binds DNA in a sequence-specific manner, it helps position RNA polymerase II over the transcription start site of the gene. TBP is widely expressed, though its levels are highest in the testis and ovary. This protein is not a suitable standard for experiments where DNA and other nuclear components have been removed.
Proteintech has a polyclonal antibody available, raised against full-length TBP-binding protein.
Rabbit polyclonal TBP antibody – 22006-1-AP
VDCA1/Porin
Type: Mitochondrial
Molecular weight : 31kDa
HEK293 cell lysate was separated by SDS-PAGE followed by detection of VDAC1 by Western blotting with Proteintech VDAC1 antibody 10866-1-AP at a dilution of 1:1000.
Voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 1 (VDAC1), also named porin 31HM, porin 31HL or plasmalemmal porin, is the most widely expressed isoform of the eukaryotic mitochondrial porin family. It forms a channel through the outer mitochondrial membrane which adopts an open conformation at low or zero membrane potential and a closed conformation at potentials above 30-40mV. VDAC1 is generally thought to be the principal means by which metabolites diffuse in and out of the mitochondria and also has a secondary role in apoptotic signaling. It is ubiquitously expressed throughout tissues, though its levels are elevated in heart, liver and skeletal muscle tissues. It is conserved across the species including, chimpanzee, dog, cow, mouse, rat, chicken, and zebrafish. Detection of VDAC1 is a suitable mitochondrial loading control in whole-cell, cytoplasmic or mitochondrial extracts. Proteintech has two rabbit polyclonal antibodies against VDAC1 available.
VDAC1 antibodies*
Rabbit polyclonal VDAC1 antibody – 10866-1-AP
Rabbit polyclonal VDAC1 antibody – 55259-1-AP
(both raised against a whole-protein antigen, amino acids 1-283.)
*Available in Proteintech’s half-price loading control and tag antibody newsletter promotion starting 08/06/2012 and ending 08/17/2012. Not signed up to our newsletter? Then sign up here.
†Available at full price, not included in promotion.
‡All marked monoclonal antibodies are validated to recognize their targets in human, mouse, rat and zebrafish. Other species not tested, but covered under Proteintech’s full-money back guarantee.