pTau217 Mouse mAb: Key Facts, Uses & FAQs

pTau217 Mouse mAb is a mouse monoclonal antibody specifically recognizing tau protein phosphorylated at threonine-217, a key biomarker associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Product SKU

Ab349227

Antibody Type

Mouse Monoclonal Antibody (mAb)

Target Epitope

Tau phosphorylated at Threonine-217 (pTau217)

Research Area

Alzheimer's disease, neurodegeneration, tau biology

Host Species

Mouse

Reference Catalog

absea#KC-44659

What Is pTau217 and Why Does It Matter?

Tau is a microtubule-associated protein predominantly expressed in neurons, where it stabilizes the microtubule network essential for axonal transport. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies, tau undergoes hyperphosphorylation at multiple serine and threonine residues, leading to its detachment from microtubules, aggregation into paired helical filaments (PHFs), and eventual formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs).

Phosphorylation at threonine-217 (pTau217) has emerged as one of the most disease-relevant tau epitopes. Studies indicate that pTau217 levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood plasma rise early in the AD continuum, often correlating strongly with amyloid-beta plaque burden and cognitive decline. This makes pTau217 a highly valuable biomarker for both research investigations and the development of diagnostic assays.

Product Overview: pTau217 Mouse mAb (Ab349227)

The pTau217 Mouse mAb (Aladdin SKU: Ab349227; reference catalog absea#KC-44659) is a mouse-derived monoclonal antibody raised against the phosphorylated threonine-217 epitope of tau protein. As a monoclonal antibody, it offers high specificity and batch-to-batch consistency, making it suitable for reproducible research across multiple experiments.

Key characteristics of this antibody include its selectivity for the phosphorylated form of tau at T217, distinguishing it from non-phosphorylated tau and from tau phosphorylated at other residues. Researchers should verify optimal working conditions—including dilution, buffer composition, and antigen retrieval methods where applicable—through preliminary titration experiments specific to their assay format and sample type.

Applications and Experimental Considerations

pTau217 Mouse mAb is broadly applicable in neuroscience and neurodegeneration research. Typical applications for phospho-specific tau monoclonal antibodies of this class include:

• Western Blotting (WB): Detection of pTau217 in brain lysates, neuronal cell lysates, or CSF-derived samples under denaturing conditions.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Visualization of pTau217-positive neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads in fixed brain tissue sections from AD patients or animal models.
• Immunofluorescence (IF): Co-localization studies with other markers in cultured neurons or tissue sections.
• ELISA: Quantification of pTau217 in biological fluids or cell extracts, including use as a capture or detection antibody in sandwich ELISA formats.

Users should confirm validated applications for Ab349227 in the product datasheet and optimize conditions for their specific experimental system. Cross-reactivity with related phospho-epitopes should be assessed if high selectivity is critical to the study design.

Storage, Handling, and Quality Assurance

Proper storage and handling of pTau217 Mouse mAb are essential to maintain antibody activity and ensure reliable experimental results. General best practices for monoclonal antibodies of this type include:

• Store at –20 °C for long-term storage; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by preparing single-use aliquots upon receipt.
• Short-term storage at 4 °C is acceptable for periods typically up to one month, depending on formulation.
• Centrifuge the vial briefly before opening to collect the contents at the bottom.
• Keep the antibody away from light if the formulation contains a fluorescent label or light-sensitive preservative.

As a monoclonal antibody produced under controlled conditions, Ab349227 is expected to demonstrate high lot-to-lot consistency. Researchers are encouraged to consult the product datasheet for lot-specific quality control data, including SDS-PAGE purity assessment and functional validation results. Contact Aladdin Scientific technical support for any application-specific questions or custom requirements.

pTau217 in Alzheimer's Disease Research Context

The field of Alzheimer's disease biomarker research has increasingly focused on tau phosphorylation signatures as surrogate measures of disease progression. pTau217 has attracted particular attention because its elevation in biofluids appears to track closely with amyloid pathology even in preclinical stages of AD, prior to significant cognitive symptoms.

Plasma pTau217 assays are being actively evaluated as minimally invasive alternatives to amyloid PET imaging or CSF collection for population screening and clinical trial enrichment. The availability of high-specificity monoclonal antibodies such as pTau217 Mouse mAb (Ab349227) is therefore critical infrastructure for both academic and industry researchers developing next-generation diagnostics, studying disease mechanisms, and evaluating therapeutic interventions targeting tau pathology.

Aladdin Scientific is committed to supporting this research area by providing rigorously characterized reagents. Researchers are encouraged to cite the antibody catalog number (Ab349227) in publications to facilitate reproducibility.

Frequently asked questions

What does pTau217 Mouse mAb specifically recognize?

pTau217 Mouse mAb specifically recognizes tau protein that is phosphorylated at threonine residue 217 (T217). It is designed to distinguish this phosphorylated form from non-phosphorylated tau and from tau phosphorylated at other residues, providing high epitope selectivity for research applications.

What are the recommended storage conditions for pTau217 Mouse mAb (Ab349227)?

For long-term storage, keep pTau217 Mouse mAb at –20 °C and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by aliquoting the antibody upon first use. Short-term storage at 4 °C is generally acceptable for up to approximately one month. Always consult the product datasheet for lot-specific storage instructions.

Which experimental applications is pTau217 Mouse mAb suitable for?

pTau217 Mouse mAb is broadly applicable in neurodegenerative disease research and may be used in applications such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Researchers should verify the specific validated applications listed on the Ab349227 product datasheet and optimize conditions for their particular sample type and assay format.

Why is pTau217 considered an important biomarker for Alzheimer's disease?

pTau217 is elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, often at early stages before significant cognitive decline, and correlates strongly with amyloid-beta plaque burden. These properties make it a promising target for early disease detection, patient stratification in clinical trials, and mechanistic research into tau pathology.

How should I validate pTau217 Mouse mAb for my specific assay?

Validation should include a titration experiment to determine optimal antibody concentration, use of appropriate positive controls (e.g., brain tissue from AD models or recombinant phosphorylated tau) and negative controls (non-phosphorylated tau or phosphatase-treated samples), and confirmation of the expected molecular weight band or staining pattern. Cross-reactivity testing with non-phosphorylated tau or adjacent phospho-epitopes is recommended if high selectivity is critical.

Can I use pTau217 Mouse mAb for plasma or CSF-based biomarker assays?

Mouse monoclonal antibodies against pTau217 are commonly employed in ELISA-based immunoassays designed to quantify pTau217 in CSF and plasma. However, the specific suitability of Ab349227 for clinical-style biofluid assays should be confirmed by consulting the product datasheet and, if necessary, contacting Aladdin Scientific technical support for guidance on assay development and format compatibility.

References

1. Aladdin Scientific product listing: pTau217 Mouse mAb, SKU Ab349227 (reference catalog absea#KC-44659).
2. General literature on tau phosphorylation at threonine-217 as an Alzheimer's disease biomarker — specific citations to be added after review.

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.