AGO4 Antibody [K1B14] | Primary Antibodies

Application: Reactivity: Mouse, Rat, Human

Lane 1: Hela, Lane 2: THP-1, Lane 3: 3T3, Lane 4: C6

Usage Information

Dilution
WB1:1000 IP1:30 IHC1:100

Application
WB, IP, IHC

Reactivity
Mouse, Rat, Human

Source
Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody

Storage Buffer
PBS, pH 7.2+50% Glycerol+0.05% BSA+0.01% NaN3

Storage (from the date of receipt)
-20°C (avoid freeze-thaw cycles), 2 years

Predicted MW Observed MW
97 kDa 97 kDa
^*Why do the predicted and actual molecular weights differ? The following reasons may explain differences between the predicted and actual protein molecular weight.

Positive Control	Human liver tissue; Human colon carcinoma tissue; Mouse kidney tissue; Mouse spleen tissue; Rat kidney tissue; Rat spleen tissue; HeLa cells; HEK-293T cells; MCF7 cells; THP-1 cells; C2C12 cells; NIH/3T3 cells; C6 cells
Negative Control

Exprimental Methods

WB
Experimental Protocol: Sample preparation 1. Tissue: Lyse the tissue sample by adding an appropriate volume of ice-cold RIPA/NP-40 Lysis Buffer (containing Protease Inhibitor Cocktail)，and homogenize the tissue at a low temperature. 2. Adherent cell: Aspirate the culture medium and wash the cells with ice-cold PBS twice. Lyse the cells by adding an appropriate volume of RIPA/NP-40 Lysis Buffer (containing Protease Inhibitor Cocktail) and put the sample on ice for 5 min. 3. Suspension cell: Transfer the culture medium to a pre-cooled centrifuge tube. Centrifuge and aspirate the supernatant. Wash the cells with ice-cold PBS twice. Lyse the cells by adding an appropriate volume of RIPA/NP-40 Lysis Buffer (containing Protease Inhibitor Cocktail) and put the sample on ice for 5 min. 4. Place the lysate into a pre-cooled microcentrifuge tube. Centrifuge at 4°C for 15 min. Collect the supernatant; 5. Remove a small volume of lysate to determine the protein concentration; 6. Combine the lysate with protein loading buffer. Boil 20 µL sample under 95-100°C for 5 min. Centrifuge for 5 min after cool down on ice. Electrophoretic separation 1. According to the concentration of extracted protein, load appropriate amount of protein sample and marker onto SDS-PAGE gels for electrophoresis. Recommended separating gel (lower gel) concentration: 10%. Reference Table for Selecting SDS-PAGE Separation Gel Concentrations 2. Power up 80V for 30 minutes. Then the power supply is adjusted (110 V~150 V), the Marker is observed, and the electrophoresis can be stopped when the indicator band of the predyed protein Marker where the protein is located is properly separated. (Note that the current should not be too large when electrophoresis, too large current (more than 150 mA) will cause the temperature to rise, affecting the result of running glue. If high currents cannot be avoided, an ice bath can be used to cool the bath.) Transfer membrane 1. Take out the converter, soak the clip and consumables in the pre-cooled converter; 2. Activate PVDF membrane with methanol for 1 min and rinse with transfer buffer; 3. Install it in the order of "black edge of clip - sponge - filter paper - filter paper - glue -PVDF membrane - filter paper - filter paper - sponge - white edge of clip"; 4. The protein was electrotransferred to PVDF membrane. ( 0.45 µm PVDF membrane is recommended ) Reference Table for Selecting PVDF Membrane Pore Size Specifications Recommended conditions for wet transfer: 200 mA, 120 min. ( Note that the transfer conditions can be adjusted according to the protein size. For high-molecular-weight proteins, a higher current and longer transfer time are recommended. However, ensure that the transfer tank remains at a low temperature to prevent gel melting.) Block 1. After electrotransfer, wash the film with TBST at room temperature for 5 minutes; 2. Incubate the film in the blocking solution for 1 hour at room temperature; 3. Wash the film with TBST for 3 times, 5 minutes each time. Antibody incubation 1. Use 5% skim milk powder to prepare the primary antibody working liquid (recommended dilution ratio for primary antibody 1:1000), gently shake and incubate with the film at 4°C overnight; 2. Wash the film with TBST 3 times, 5 minutes each time; 3. Add the secondary antibody to the blocking solution and incubate with the film gently at room temperature for 1 hour; 4. After incubation, wash the film with TBST 3 times for 5 minutes each time. Antibody staining 1. Add the prepared ECL luminescent substrate (or select other color developing substrate according to the second antibody) and mix evenly; 2. Incubate with the film for 1 minute, remove excess substrate (keep the film moist), wrap with plastic film, and expose in the imaging system.

WB

Experimental Protocol:

Sample preparation

1. Tissue: Lyse the tissue sample by adding an appropriate volume of ice-cold RIPA/NP-40 Lysis Buffer (containing Protease Inhibitor Cocktail)，and homogenize the tissue at a low temperature.

2. Adherent cell: Aspirate the culture medium and wash the cells with ice-cold PBS twice. Lyse the cells by adding an appropriate volume of RIPA/NP-40 Lysis Buffer (containing Protease Inhibitor Cocktail) and put the sample on ice for 5 min.

3. Suspension cell: Transfer the culture medium to a pre-cooled centrifuge tube. Centrifuge and aspirate the supernatant. Wash the cells with ice-cold PBS twice. Lyse the cells by adding an appropriate volume of RIPA/NP-40 Lysis Buffer (containing Protease Inhibitor Cocktail) and put the sample on ice for 5 min.

4. Place the lysate into a pre-cooled microcentrifuge tube. Centrifuge at 4°C for 15 min. Collect the supernatant;

5. Remove a small volume of lysate to determine the protein concentration;

6. Combine the lysate with protein loading buffer. Boil 20 µL sample under 95-100°C for 5 min. Centrifuge for 5 min after cool down on ice.

Electrophoretic separation

1. According to the concentration of extracted protein, load appropriate amount of protein sample and marker onto SDS-PAGE gels for electrophoresis. Recommended separating gel (lower gel) concentration: 10%. Reference Table for Selecting SDS-PAGE Separation Gel Concentrations

2. Power up 80V for 30 minutes. Then the power supply is adjusted (110 V~150 V), the Marker is observed, and the electrophoresis can be stopped when the indicator band of the predyed protein Marker where the protein is located is properly separated. (Note that the current should not be too large when electrophoresis, too large current (more than 150 mA) will cause the temperature to rise, affecting the result of running glue. If high currents cannot be avoided, an ice bath can be used to cool the bath.)

Transfer membrane

1. Take out the converter, soak the clip and consumables in the pre-cooled converter;

2. Activate PVDF membrane with methanol for 1 min and rinse with transfer buffer;

3. Install it in the order of "black edge of clip - sponge - filter paper - filter paper - glue -PVDF membrane - filter paper - filter paper - sponge - white edge of clip";

4. The protein was electrotransferred to PVDF membrane. ( 0.45 µm PVDF membrane is recommended ) Reference Table for Selecting PVDF Membrane Pore Size Specifications

Recommended conditions for wet transfer: 200 mA, 120 min.

( Note that the transfer conditions can be adjusted according to the protein size. For high-molecular-weight proteins, a higher current and longer transfer time are recommended. However, ensure that the transfer tank remains at a low temperature to prevent gel melting.)

Block

1. After electrotransfer, wash the film with TBST at room temperature for 5 minutes;

2. Incubate the film in the blocking solution for 1 hour at room temperature;

3. Wash the film with TBST for 3 times, 5 minutes each time.

Antibody incubation

1. Use 5% skim milk powder to prepare the primary antibody working liquid (recommended dilution ratio for primary antibody 1:1000), gently shake and incubate with the film at 4°C overnight;

2. Wash the film with TBST 3 times, 5 minutes each time;

3. Add the secondary antibody to the blocking solution and incubate with the film gently at room temperature for 1 hour;

4. After incubation, wash the film with TBST 3 times for 5 minutes each time.

Antibody staining

1. Add the prepared ECL luminescent substrate (or select other color developing substrate according to the second antibody) and mix evenly;

2. Incubate with the film for 1 minute, remove excess substrate (keep the film moist), wrap with plastic film, and expose in the imaging system.

IHC
Experimental Protocol： Deparaffinization/Rehydration 1. Deparaffinize/hydrate sections: 2. Incubate sections in three washes of xylene for 5 min each. 3. Incubate sections in two washes of 100% ethanol for 10 min each. 4. Incubate sections in two washes of 95% ethanol for 10 min each. 5. Wash sections two times in dH2O for 5 min each. 6.Antigen retrieval: For Citrate: Heat slides in a microwave submersed in 1X citrate unmasking solution until boiling is initiated; continue with 10 min at a sub-boiling temperature (95°-98°C). Cool slides on bench top for 30 min. Staining 1. Wash sections in dH2O three times for 5 min each. 2. Incubate sections in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 10 min. 3. Wash sections in dH2O two times for 5 min each. 4. Wash sections in wash buffer for 5 min. 5. Block each section with 100–400 µl of blocking solution for 1 hr at room temperature. 6. Remove blocking solution and add 100–400 µl primary antibody diluent in to each section. Incubate overnight at 4°C. 7. Remove antibody solution and wash sections with wash buffer three times for 5 min each. 8. Cover section with 1–3 drops HRPas needed. Incubate in a humidified chamber for 30 min at room temperature. 9. Wash sections three times with wash buffer for 5 min each. 10. Add DAB Chromogen Concentrate to DAB Diluent and mix well before use. 11. Apply 100–400 µl DAB to each section and monitor closely. 1–10 min generally provides an acceptable staining intensity. 12. Immerse slides in dH2O. 13. If desired, counterstain sections with hematoxylin. 14. Wash sections in dH2O two times for 5 min each. 15. Dehydrate sections: Incubate sections in 95% ethanol two times for 10 sec each; Repeat in 100% ethanol, incubating sections two times for 10 sec each; Repeat in xylene, incubating sections two times for 10 sec each. 16. Mount sections with coverslips and mounting medium.

IHC

Experimental Protocol：

Deparaffinization/Rehydration

1. Deparaffinize/hydrate sections:

2. Incubate sections in three washes of xylene for 5 min each.

3. Incubate sections in two washes of 100% ethanol for 10 min each.

4. Incubate sections in two washes of 95% ethanol for 10 min each.

5. Wash sections two times in dH2O for 5 min each.

6.Antigen retrieval: For Citrate: Heat slides in a microwave submersed in 1X citrate unmasking solution until boiling is initiated; continue with 10 min at a sub-boiling temperature (95°-98°C). Cool slides on bench top for 30 min.

Staining

1. Wash sections in dH2O three times for 5 min each.

2. Incubate sections in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 10 min.

3. Wash sections in dH2O two times for 5 min each.

4. Wash sections in wash buffer for 5 min.

5. Block each section with 100–400 µl of blocking solution for 1 hr at room temperature.

6. Remove blocking solution and add 100–400 µl primary antibody diluent in to each section. Incubate overnight at 4°C.

7. Remove antibody solution and wash sections with wash buffer three times for 5 min each.

8. Cover section with 1–3 drops HRPas needed. Incubate in a humidified chamber for 30 min at room temperature.

9. Wash sections three times with wash buffer for 5 min each.

10. Add DAB Chromogen Concentrate to DAB Diluent and mix well before use.

11. Apply 100–400 µl DAB to each section and monitor closely. 1–10 min generally provides an acceptable staining intensity.

12. Immerse slides in dH2O.

13. If desired, counterstain sections with hematoxylin.

14. Wash sections in dH2O two times for 5 min each.

15. Dehydrate sections: Incubate sections in 95% ethanol two times for 10 sec each; Repeat in 100% ethanol, incubating sections two times for 10 sec each; Repeat in xylene, incubating sections two times for 10 sec each.

16. Mount sections with coverslips and mounting medium.

Datasheet & SDS

Biological Description

Specificity
AGO4 Antibody [K1B14] detects endogenous levels of total AGO4 protein.

Subcellular Location
Cytoplasm

Uniprot ID
Q9HCK5

Clone
K1B14

Synonym(s)
EIF2C4; KIAA1567; AGO4; Protein argonaute-4; Argonaute4; hAgo4; Argonaute RISC catalytic component 4; Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2C 4; eIF-2C 4; eIF2C 4

Background
AGO4 (Argonaute RISC Catalytic Component 4), a member of the mammalian Argonaute family specialized in siRNA-guided gene silencing and heterochromatin formation, adopts a bilobed architecture with an N-terminal PAZ domain anchoring the 3′ end of guide siRNAs via a conserved OB-fold pocket, a central PIWI (slicer-incompetent) domain featuring an AGO4-specific insertion (4SI, E629-Q638) protruding into the nucleic acid-binding channel on Loop 2 to modulate target accessibility, and MID domain clamping the guide 5′ phosphate, connected by flexible linkers enabling open-closed conformational transitions. Loaded with 21-24 nt siRNAs or miRNAs via Dicer/TRBP handover, AGO4 assembles functional RISC through PAZ-mediated passenger strand ejection and PIWI-driven guide positioning where seed nucleotides (g2-g8) form A-form helix seed-pairing with target mRNA, inducing translational repression, deadenylation, or decapping via GW182 recruitment despite lacking slicer activity due to mutated catalytic Asp/Glu/His triad (replaced by Gly/Arg), while uniquely directing DNA methylation at promoter-proximal loci through TNRC6A/DNMT3A interactions promoting H3K9me3 and silencing tumor suppressors or retrotransposons. Predominantly cytoplasmic but shuttling nuclearly, AGO4 underpins heterochromatin maintenance at pericentromeric repeats and developmental gene repression, with dysregulation implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma via miR-3191-5p-mediated IRES inhibition and global hypomethylation fostering chromosomal instability.

Background

AGO4 (Argonaute RISC Catalytic Component 4), a member of the mammalian Argonaute family specialized in siRNA-guided gene silencing and heterochromatin formation, adopts a bilobed architecture with an N-terminal PAZ domain anchoring the 3′ end of guide siRNAs via a conserved OB-fold pocket, a central PIWI (slicer-incompetent) domain featuring an AGO4-specific insertion (4SI, E629-Q638) protruding into the nucleic acid-binding channel on Loop 2 to modulate target accessibility, and MID domain clamping the guide 5′ phosphate, connected by flexible linkers enabling open-closed conformational transitions. Loaded with 21-24 nt siRNAs or miRNAs via Dicer/TRBP handover, AGO4 assembles functional RISC through PAZ-mediated passenger strand ejection and PIWI-driven guide positioning where seed nucleotides (g2-g8) form A-form helix seed-pairing with target mRNA, inducing translational repression, deadenylation, or decapping via GW182 recruitment despite lacking slicer activity due to mutated catalytic Asp/Glu/His triad (replaced by Gly/Arg), while uniquely directing DNA methylation at promoter-proximal loci through TNRC6A/DNMT3A interactions promoting H3K9me3 and silencing tumor suppressors or retrotransposons. Predominantly cytoplasmic but shuttling nuclearly, AGO4 underpins heterochromatin maintenance at pericentromeric repeats and developmental gene repression, with dysregulation implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma via miR-3191-5p-mediated IRES inhibition and global hypomethylation fostering chromosomal instability.

References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32455006/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35736234/

Protein Size (kDa)	PVDF Transfer Membrane Pore Size (μm)
< 10	0.22
10-20	0.22
20-30	0.45
30-45	0.45
45-70	0.45
80-100	0.45
100-140	0.45
> 140	0.45

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Protein Size (kDa)	Separating Gel Percentage
4-40	20%
12-45	15%
10-70	12.5%
15-100	10%
25-100	8%
60-210	5%