HNF4α (C11F12) Rabbit mAb #3113

Western Blotting Protocol

For western blots, incubate membrane with diluted primary antibody in 5% w/v BSA, 1X TBS, 0.1% Tween^® 20 at 4°C with gentle shaking, overnight.

NOTE: Please refer to primary antibody product webpage for recommended antibody dilution.

A. Solutions and Reagents

From sample preparation to detection, the reagents you need for your Western Blot are now in one convenient kit: #12957 Western Blotting Application Solutions Kit

NOTE: Prepare solutions with reverse osmosis deionized (RODI) or equivalent grade water.

1. 20X Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS): (#9808) To prepare 1 L 1X PBS: add 50 ml 20X PBS to 950 ml dH₂O, mix.
2. 10X Tris Buffered Saline (TBS): (#12498) To prepare 1 L 1X TBS: add 100 ml 10X to 900 ml dH₂O, mix.
3. 1X SDS Sample Buffer: Blue Loading Pack (#7722) or Red Loading Pack (#7723) Prepare fresh 3X reducing loading buffer by adding 1/10 volume 30X DTT to 1 volume of 3X SDS loading buffer. Dilute to 1X with dH₂O.
4. 10X Tris-Glycine SDS Running Buffer: (#4050) To prepare 1 L 1X running buffer: add 100 ml 10X running buffer to 900 ml dH₂O, mix.
5. 10X Tris-Glycine Transfer Buffer: (#12539) To prepare 1 L 1X Transfer Buffer: add 100 ml 10X Transfer Buffer to 200 ml methanol + 700 ml dH₂O, mix.
6. 10X Tris Buffered Saline with Tween^® 20 (TBST): (#9997) To prepare 1 L 1X TBST: add 100 ml 10X TBST to 900 ml dH₂O, mix.
7. Nonfat Dry Milk: (#9999).
8. Blocking Buffer: 1X TBST with 5% w/v nonfat dry milk; for 150 ml, add 7.5 g nonfat dry milk to 150 ml 1X TBST and mix well.
9. Wash Buffer: (#9997) 1X TBST.
10. Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA): (#9998).
11. Primary Antibody Dilution Buffer: 1X TBST with 5% BSA; for 20 ml, add 1.0 g BSA to 20 ml 1X TBST and mix well.
12. Biotinylated Protein Ladder Detection Pack: (#7727).
13. Blue Prestained Protein Marker, Broad Range (11-250 kDa): (#59329).
14. Blotting Membrane and Paper: (#12369) This protocol has been optimized for nitrocellulose membranes. Pore size 0.2 µm is generally recommended.
15. Secondary Antibody Conjugated to HRP: Anti-rabbit IgG, HRP-linked Antibody (#7074).
16. Detection Reagent: SignalFire™ ECL Reagent (#6883).

B. Protein Blotting

A general protocol for sample preparation.

1. Treat cells by adding fresh media containing regulator for desired time.
2. Aspirate media from cultures; wash cells with 1X PBS; aspirate.
3. Lyse cells by adding 1X SDS sample buffer (100 µl per well of 6-well plate or 500 µl for a 10 cm diameter plate). Immediately scrape the cells off the plate and transfer the extract to a microcentrifuge tube. Keep on ice.
4. Sonicate for 10–15 sec to complete cell lysis and shear DNA (to reduce sample viscosity).
5. Heat a 20 µl sample to 95–100°C for 5 min; cool on ice.
6. Microcentrifuge for 5 min.

7. Load 20 µl onto SDS-PAGE gel (10 cm x 10 cm).

   NOTE: Loading of prestained molecular weight markers (#59329, 10 µl/lane) to verify electrotransfer and biotinylated protein ladder (#7727, 10 µl/lane) to determine molecular weights are recommended.

8. Electrotransfer to nitrocellulose membrane (#12369).

C. Membrane Blocking and Antibody Incubations

NOTE: Volumes are for 10 cm x 10 cm (100 cm²) of membrane; for different sized membranes, adjust volumes accordingly.

I. Membrane Blocking

1. (Optional) After transfer, wash nitrocellulose membrane with 25 ml TBS for 5 min at room temperature.
2. Incubate membrane in 25 ml of blocking buffer for 1 hr at room temperature.
3. Wash three times for 5 min each with 15 ml of TBST.

II. Primary Antibody Incubation

1. Incubate membrane and primary antibody (at the appropriate dilution and diluent as recommended in the product webpage) in 10 ml primary antibody dilution buffer with gentle agitation overnight at 4°C.
2. Wash three times for 5 min each with 15 ml of TBST.
3. Incubate membrane with Anti-rabbit IgG, HRP-linked Antibody (#7074 at 1:2000) and anti-biotin, HRP-linked Antibody (#7075 at 1:1000–1:3000) to detect biotinylated protein markers in 10 ml of blocking buffer with gentle agitation for 1 hr at room temperature.
4. Wash three times for 5 min each with 15 ml of TBST.
5. Proceed with detection (Section D).

D. Detection of Proteins

Directions for Use:

1. Wash membrane-bound HRP (antibody conjugate) three times for 5 minutes in TBST.
2. Prepare 1X SignalFire™ ECL Reagent (#6883) by diluting one part 2X Reagent A and one part 2X Reagent B (e.g. for 10 ml, add 5 ml Reagent A and 5 ml Reagent B). Mix well.
3. Incubate substrate with membrane for 1 minute, remove excess solution (membrane remains wet), wrap in plastic and expose to X-ray film.

* Avoid repeated exposure to skin.

Immunohistochemistry (Paraffin)

A. Solutions and Reagents

NOTE: Prepare solutions with reverse osmosis deionized (RODI) or equivalent grade water.

1. Xylene.
2. Ethanol, anhydrous denatured, histological grade (100% and 95%).
3. Deionized water (dH₂O).
4. Hematoxylin (optional).
5. Wash Buffer:
   1. 1X Tris Buffered Saline with Tween^® 20 (TBST): To prepare 1L 1X TBST add 100 ml 10X Tris Buffered Saline with Tween^® 20 (#9997) to 900 ml dH₂0, mix.
6. SignalStain^® Antibody Diluent (#8112).
7. 1X Citrate Unmasking Solution: To prepare 250 mL of 1X citrate unmasking solution, dilute 25 ml of SignalStain^® Citrate Unmasking Solution (10X) (#14746) with 225 mL of dH₂O.
8. 3% Hydrogen Peroxide: To prepare 100 ml, add 10 ml 30% H₂O₂ to 90 ml dH₂O.
9. Blocking Solution: TBST/5% Normal Goat Serum or 1X Animal-Free Blocking Solution.
   1. TBST/5% Normal Goat Serum: to 5 ml 1X TBST, add 250 µl Normal Goat Serum (#5425).
   2. 1X Animal-Free Blocking Solution: to 4 mL of dH₂O add 1 ml of Animal-Free Blocking Solution (5X) (#15019).
10. Detection System: SignalStain^® Boost IHC Detection Reagents (HRP, Rabbit #8114).
11. Substrate: SignalStain^® DAB Substrate Kit (#8059).
12. Hematoxylin: Hematoxylin (#14166).
13. Mounting Medium: SignalStain^® Mounting Medium (#14177).

B. Deparaffinization/Rehydration

NOTE: Do not allow slides to dry at any time during this procedure.

1. Deparaffinize/hydrate sections:
   1. Incubate sections in three washes of xylene for 5 min each.
   2. Incubate sections in two washes of 100% ethanol for 10 min each.
   3. Incubate sections in two washes of 95% ethanol for 10 min each.
2. Wash sections two times in dH₂O for 5 min each.

C. Antigen Unmasking

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

D. 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 preferred blocking solution for 1 hr at room temperature.
6. Remove blocking solution and add 100–400 µl primary antibody diluted in SignalStain^® Antibody Diluent (#8112) to each section. Incubate overnight at 4°C.
7. Equilibrate SignalStain^® Boost Detection Reagent (HRP, Rabbit #8114) to room temperature.
8. Remove antibody solution and wash sections with wash buffer three times for 5 min each.
9. Cover section with 1–3 drops SignalStain^® Boost Detection Reagent (HRP, Rabbit #8114) as needed. Incubate in a humidified chamber for 30 min at room temperature.
10. Wash sections three times with wash buffer for 5 min each.
11. Add 1 drop (30 µl) SignalStain^® DAB Chromogen Concentrate to 1 ml SignalStain^® DAB Diluent and mix well before use.
12. Apply 100–400 µl SignalStain^® DAB to each section and monitor closely. 1–10 min generally provides an acceptable staining intensity.
13. Immerse slides in dH₂O.
14. If desired, counterstain sections with hematoxylin (#14166).
15. Wash sections in dH₂O two times for 5 min each.
16. Dehydrate sections:
    1. Incubate sections in 95% ethanol two times for 10 sec each.
    2. Repeat in 100% ethanol, incubating sections two times for 10 sec each.
    3. Repeat in xylene, incubating sections two times for 10 sec each.
17. Mount sections with coverslips and mounting medium (#14177).

NOTE: Use of detection reagents other than those specified in this protocol may require further optimization of the primary antibody to account for the different sensitivities of the detection reagents.

Immunofluorescence (Immunocytochemistry)

A. Solutions and Reagents

Achieve higher quality immunofluorescent images using the efficient and cost-effective, pre-made reagents in our #12727 Immunofluorescence Application Solutions Kit

NOTE: Prepare solutions with reverse osmosis deionized (RODI) or equivalent grade water.

1. 20X Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS): (9808) To prepare 1L 1X PBS: add 50 ml 20X PBS to 950 ml dH₂O, mix. Adjust pH to 8.0.
2. Formaldehyde: 16%, methanol free, Polysciences, Inc. (cat# 18814), use fresh and store opened vials at 4°C in dark, dilute in 1X PBS for use.
3. Blocking Buffer (1X PBS / 5% normal serum / 0.3% Triton™ X-100): To prepare 10 ml, add 0.5 ml normal serum from the same species as the secondary antibody (e.g., Normal Goat Serum (#5425)) and 0.5 mL 20X PBS to 9.0 mL dH₂O, mix well. While stirring, add 30 µl Triton™ X-100.
4. Antibody Dilution Buffer (1X PBS / 1% BSA / 0.3% Triton X-100): To prepare 10 ml, add 30 µl Triton™ X-100 to 10 ml 1X PBS. Mix well then add 0.1 g BSA (9998), mix.

5. Recommended Fluorochrome-conjugated Anti-Rabbit secondary antibodies:

   • Anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L), F(ab')₂ Fragment (Alexa Fluor^® 488 Conjugate) #4412
   • Anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L), F(ab')₂ Fragment (Alexa Fluor^® 555 Conjugate) #4413
   • Anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L), F(ab')₂ Fragment (Alexa Fluor^® 594 Conjugate) #8889
   • Anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L), F(ab')₂ Fragment (Alexa Fluor^® 647 Conjugate) #4414
6. Prolong^® Gold AntiFade Reagent (#9071), Prolong^® Gold AntiFade Reagent with DAPI (#8961).

B. Specimen Preparation - Cultured Cell Lines (IF-IC)

NOTE: Cells should be grown, treated, fixed and stained directly in multi-well plates, chamber slides or on coverslips.

1. Aspirate liquid, then cover cells to a depth of 2–3 mm with 4% formaldehyde diluted in 1X PBS.

   NOTE: Formaldehyde is toxic, use only in a fume hood.

2. Allow cells to fix for 15 min at room temperature.
3. Aspirate fixative, rinse three times in 1X PBS for 5 min each.
4. Proceed with Immunostaining (Section C).

C. Immunostaining

NOTE: All subsequent incubations should be carried out at room temperature unless otherwise noted in a humid light-tight box or covered dish/plate to prevent drying and fluorochrome fading.

1. Block specimen in Blocking Buffer for 60 min.
2. While blocking, prepare primary antibody by diluting as indicated on product webpage in Antibody Dilution Buffer.
3. Aspirate blocking solution, apply diluted primary antibody.
4. Incubate overnight at 4°C.
5. Rinse three times in 1X PBS for 5 min each.
6. Incubate specimen in fluorochrome-conjugated secondary antibody diluted in Antibody Dilution Buffer for 1–2 hr at room temperature in the dark.
7. Rinse three times in 1X PBS for 5 min each.
8. Coverslip slides with Prolong^® Gold Antifade Reagent (#9071) or Prolong^® Gold Antifade Reagent with DAPI (#8961).
9. For best results, allow mountant to cure overnight at room temperature. For long-term storage, store slides flat at 4°C protected from light.