Western Blot
Learn how our antibodies are validated in Western blot, and how to be successful in your Western blot experiment.
Western blot detects proteins separated on a gel by their size and targeted with specific antibodies. The protein separation is performed by gel electrophoresis. The proteins are then transferred to a nitrocellulose or PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) membrane on which the blotting with the antibody is performed.
Protocols and guides
Use these recommended protocols for optimal results in Western blot using our antibodies. The protocols are optimized for Triple A Polyclonals and PrecisA Monoclonals.
Validation in Western blot
Our antibodies, Triple A Polyclonals, and PrecisA Monoclonals are routinely validated in Western blot.
Correct binding is verified by comparing the band size with the theoretical mass of the target protein. Factors that can affect proteins migration, such as alternative isoforms and post-translational modifications are considered,
Endogenous protein lysates from human tissues and cell lines are primarily used as samples. Protein lysates are selected based on RNA expression levels and the scientific relevance of the target. When suitable cell lines are not available, recombinantly produced full-length target proteins in the form of HEK-293 cell line over-expression lysates are used as positive control samples. The endogenous protein lysates from mouse and rat cell lines are tested for many antibodies,
The peroxidase (HRP) labeled antibody is visualized by chemiluminescence detection using a CCD-camera system.
Enhanced Validation in Western blot
To further demonstrate specificity, the validation performed for our antibodies is expanded with application-specific Enhanced Validation. In Western blot, four different enhanced validation methods are applied:
Orthogonal validation by comparing antibody Signal in Western blot to RNA
The orthogonal validation method validates the antibody staining using a non-antibody-based method.
For example, the Western blot results are compared with RNA-Seq data for the same samples, using both positive and negative controls. Antibody specificity is confirmed when the antibody signal matches RNA levels in the evaluated samples.
For each antibody, two tissues or endogenous cell lines are chosen for the validation: one with high RNA expression and the other with low or no RNA expression of the target protein. The cell lines are selected to express at least a five-fold difference between the RNA expression in the high and low samples.
In the enhanced validation data presented for the antibodies, the Western blot lanes in the high and low cell lines are displayed together with their corresponding RNA values.
Genetic Validation in Western blot by siRNA knockdown
Genetic validation by siRNA knockdown is an enhanced method for validation where the target gene is downregulated. Antibody specificity is confirmed when the corresponding gene's knockdown levels correlate with a decrease in the antibody signal.
At Atlas Antibodies, two separate siRNA probes are employed to silence each target, and a loading control is added to ensure even loading and equal transfer over the gel. The knockdown is approved if at least 50% silencing is achieved for at least one of the two siRNA probes.
In the enhanced validation data presented for the antibody, the Western blot lanes in the control and knocked down samples are displayed together with the loading control, and the relative remaining intensity after silencing is presented.
Validation by independent antibodies in Western blot
Validation by Independent Antibodies is an enhanced method for validation where the antibody specificity is demonstrated by comparing at least two antibodies targeting the same protein with non-overlapping epitopes.
If the signals from the two antibodies correlate when compared across multiple samples, the antibodies validate each other.
In the validation data presented for the antibody, the Western blots from both antibodies are displayed together.
Recombinant expression validation in Western blot
Recombinant expression validation is an enhanced method for validation where the antibody binding is confirmed using an over-expressed version of the target protein.
The method is applied to Western blot by comparing the antibody signal in a sample where the target protein has been recombinantly over-expressed with the signal from a control sample. Antibody specificity is confirmed when the antibody shows a strong band in the cell line with recombinant expression and no or faint band in the control line.
In the validation data presented for the antibody, the Western blot includes the over-expressed sample and the control sample in the same blot.
The importance of loading controls
Loading controls are helpful to ensure that an even amount of protein is loaded on the gel.
When studying the expression of a target protein in different samples, it is necessary to normalize protein levels using a loading control antibody to get reliable data. By using a loading control, you can distinguish an unevenly loaded sample from an actual difference in the protein expression between the samples.
Suitable targets for loading control are housekeeping proteins expressed at high levels in a wide range of cell lines and tissues.
Loading controls can also be used to confirm that the transfer of protein from the gel is equal over the whole membrane. This is particularly useful when comparing protein expressions over several samples.
How to choose a loading control
When choosing a loading control, be sure to pick one that targets a protein of a different molecular weight than that of your protein of interest. By doing so, you can easily differentiate between the two bands during the blotting. For optimal results, also check that the protein or RNA expression level of the loading control target is fairly high in the cell lines or tissue lysates you will use.
Save time with fluorescence-based multiplex Western blot
Fluorescence-based multiplex Western blot is a time-saving alternative to chemiluminescent detection. For multiplexing, choose a loading control antibody with a different isotype or host species than the antibody targeting the protein of interest. Using suitable secondary antibodies conjugated to fluorescent dyes, the western blot protocol can be reduced to only one primary and one secondary incubation step. The two bands can be visualized in the same image.
The Atlas Antibodies Loading Control panel contains antibodies of different isotypes allowing multiplexing.
Loading controls
Discover our antibody panel of Loading Controls, consisting of PrecisA Monoclonals targeting proteins that are constitutively expressed in a large set of cell lines and tissues.