What are RBPs (RNA binding proteins)? Very briefly, they are proteins that bind to RNA. (You probably figured that out already.) More importantly, they have a role in regulating RNA as part of the ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP). They are involved in interactions that regulate posttranscriptional gene regulation1. Not only are RBPs important because of their interactions, but also because it was found that mutations in RBPs can lead to disease formation 2, 3, 4. In order to investigate which RBPs bind with RNAs, a technique called RNP immunoprecipitation (RIP) can be used5. And in order to have an amazing RIP experiment, one needs an equally amazing antibody.
The ENCODE Project- MBLI Antibodies
Often times, a researcher will go on a hunt for an antibody. Typically, s/he will feel like they struck gold if they find a publication that used an antibody with their same cell type and somewhat similar functions. However, this is not always feasible. The company that manufactured the antibody may have tested a few different cell lines, but of course, may not have tested the one the researcher is using. Epigenesists now have a new tool that can help researchers find that elusive, super awesome antibody. A collaborative team has put a lot of hard work into testing 700 commercially available antibodies from various vendors, included antibodies from MBLI. This is known as the ENCODE Project. The team developed a database, where up-to-date results can be found here.
As of this blog publication, this group found 18 RBP antibodies supplied by MBLI to work brilliantly! There are 27 antibodies ready for secondary validations and 74 antibodies on deck to be validated. The top 5 best-selling RBP antibodies that are part of the 18 validated antibodies are:
| Target | Product Code |
| EIF4G1 | RN002P |
| IGF2BP1 | RN007P |
| IGF2BP2 | RN008P |
| IGF2BP3 | RN009P |
| HNRNPK | RN019P |
MBL’s RIP certified antibodies are optimized to be used with RIP-Assay kit. Using the RIP certified antibodies and/or our optimized kits, you’ll be sure to find your favorite RBPs interacting with your favorite RNA.
1. Castello, Alfredo, Rastislav Horos, Claudia Strein, Bernd Fischer, Katrin Eichelbaum, Lars M. Steinmetz, Jeroen Krijgsveld, and Matthias W. Hentze. “Comprehensive Identification of RNA-Binding Proteins by RNA Interactome Capture.” Methods in Molecular Biology Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation (2016): 131-39.
2. Yano, Masato, Yoshika Hayakawa-Yano, and Hideyuki Okano. “RNA Regulation Went Wrong in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Example of Msi/Elavl RNA Binding Proteins.” International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience (2016):
3. Goodwin, Marianne, and Maurice S. Swanson. “RNA-Binding Protein Misregulation in Microsatellite Expansion Disorders.” Systems Biology of RNA Binding Proteins Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (2014): 353-88.
4. Castello, Alfredo, Bernd Fischer, Matthias W. Hentze, and Thomas Preiss. “RNA-binding Proteins in Mendelian Disease.” Trends in Genetics 29.5 (2013): 318-27.
5. Keene, Jack D., Jordan M. Komisarow, and Matthew B. Friedersdorf. “RIP-Chip: The Isolation and Identification of MRNAs, MicroRNAs and Protein Components of Ribonucleoprotein Complexes from Cell Extracts.” Nat Protoc Nature Protocols 1.1 (2006): 302-07.