ALDH3A1 Mouse mAb: Specificity, Applications & Protocol

ALDH3A1 Mouse mAb is a monoclonal antibody raised in mouse that specifically targets the human aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 family member A1 (ALDH3A1) protein, providing researchers with a reliable tool for investigating ALDH3A1 expression, function, and its roles in oxidative stress response, drug resistance, and cancer biology.

Product SKU

Ab351147

Clone / Source

Mouse monoclonal antibody (absea #KC-1317)

Formulation

PBS only

Target Protein

ALDH3A1 (Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 3 Family Member A1)

Host Species

Mouse

Antibody Class

Monoclonal antibody (mAb)

Background: ALDH3A1 Biology and Research Significance

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 3 Family Member A1 (ALDH3A1) is a cytosolic enzyme belonging to the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily. It catalyzes the NAD(P)+-dependent oxidation of medium- and long-chain aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes to their corresponding carboxylic acids, thereby protecting cells from aldehyde-mediated cytotoxicity arising from lipid peroxidation and environmental xenobiotics.

ALDH3A1 is highly expressed in tissues frequently exposed to oxidative challenges, including the cornea, liver, lung, and stomach. In the cornea, ALDH3A1 accounts for a substantial fraction of total soluble protein and contributes both enzymatic antioxidant activity and structural transparency-preserving roles.

Beyond its homeostatic functions, ALDH3A1 has attracted significant research interest as a cancer biology marker. Elevated ALDH3A1 activity is associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) populations, tumor aggressiveness, and resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. Consequently, reliable detection of ALDH3A1 protein expression is a key requirement in oncology, redox biology, and drug resistance research.

Product Description and Antibody Characteristics

The ALDH3A1 Mouse mAb (Aladdin SKU: Ab351147) is a monoclonal antibody generated in mouse against the ALDH3A1 antigen. The product is referenced under the absea clone designation KC-1317 and is supplied in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) without additional carrier proteins or preservatives (PBS only formulation).

As a monoclonal antibody, Ab351147 offers the advantages of high epitope specificity, lot-to-lot consistency, and low background in optimized assay conditions. The PBS-only formulation gives researchers flexibility to add their own stabilizers, conjugates, or preservatives according to downstream application requirements.

Key Characteristics:

• Host: Mouse
• Antibody format: Monoclonal (mAb)
• Clone reference: absea KC-1317
• Formulation: PBS only (no azide, no BSA)
• Target: ALDH3A1 protein

Recommended Applications and Usage Guidelines

Monoclonal antibodies targeting ALDH3A1 are commonly employed in a range of immunological and biochemical assays. While specific validated applications for Ab351147 should be confirmed in the product datasheet, typical applications for anti-ALDH3A1 monoclonal antibodies of this class include:

• Western Blotting (WB): Detection of ALDH3A1 protein in cell lysates or tissue homogenates under denaturing conditions. Expected band size is approximately 85 kDa for ALDH3A1.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Localization of ALDH3A1 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) or frozen tissue sections.
• Immunofluorescence (IF): Visualization of ALDH3A1 subcellular distribution in fixed cell preparations.
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): Quantitative detection of ALDH3A1 antigen in solution-phase formats.

Users are advised to perform titration experiments to determine optimal antibody concentrations for each application and sample type. Appropriate positive controls (e.g., cell lines known to overexpress ALDH3A1) and negative controls should always be included.

Storage, Handling, and Stability

Proper storage and handling of Ab351147 are essential to maintain antibody integrity and assay performance over time.

General recommendations for PBS-formulated monoclonal antibodies:

• Short-term storage (up to 1 month): Store at 2–8 °C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Long-term storage: Aliquot and store at −20 °C or −80 °C. Single-use aliquots prevent activity loss from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Avoid: Exposure to direct light, high temperatures, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles, all of which can degrade antibody performance.
• Formulation note: Because this product is PBS only (no BSA, no azide), users should consider adding a carrier protein (e.g., 0.1–1% BSA) and/or a preservative (e.g., 0.02–0.05% sodium azide) if long-term storage stability is required, following institutional safety guidelines for azide handling.

Always centrifuge the vial briefly before opening to collect contents at the bottom, and handle on ice during working sessions to minimize thermal stress.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Researchers working with ALDH3A1 Mouse mAb may encounter common technical challenges. Below are troubleshooting strategies for the most frequent issues:

High background signal: Increase blocking stringency (e.g., use 5% non-fat milk or BSA in TBST). Optimize antibody dilution by titration. Extend washing steps in duration or number of washes.

No or weak signal: Verify that the target protein is expressed in the chosen cell line or tissue. Check antibody storage history and avoid using material subjected to multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Confirm compatibility of secondary antibody with mouse primary IgG. Optimize antigen retrieval conditions for IHC (e.g., heat-induced epitope retrieval with citrate buffer, pH 6.0).

Non-specific bands in WB: Confirm correct gel percentage for resolving ~85 kDa ALDH3A1. Use an isotype control (mouse IgG) to identify non-specific binding. Consider pre-adsorbing the antibody with irrelevant tissue lysate.

Inconsistent results between experiments: Standardize sample preparation, lysis buffer composition, and protein loading. Ensure consistent antibody aliquoting to prevent variability from freeze-thaw cycling.

Frequently asked questions

What is the formulation of ALDH3A1 Mouse mAb (Ab351147)?

Ab351147 is formulated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) only, with no added carrier proteins such as BSA and no preservatives such as sodium azide. This PBS-only format gives researchers flexibility to supplement the antibody with stabilizers or preservatives suited to their specific downstream applications.

Which species does ALDH3A1 Mouse mAb recognize?

The antibody is produced in mouse and targets ALDH3A1 protein. Specific cross-reactivity information (e.g., human, mouse, rat) should be confirmed in the official product datasheet for Ab351147. Researchers are advised to verify reactivity for their experimental species before use.

What is the expected molecular weight of ALDH3A1 detected by this antibody in Western blot?

ALDH3A1 has a predicted molecular weight of approximately 85 kDa. In Western blot experiments, the antibody is expected to detect a band at approximately this molecular weight in positive-control cell lysates or tissue samples expressing ALDH3A1. Minor size variations may occur depending on post-translational modifications and gel conditions.

How should I store Ab351147 to maintain its activity?

For short-term use (up to one month), store at 2–8 °C. For long-term storage, aliquot the antibody into single-use volumes and store at −20 °C or −80 °C to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can degrade antibody activity. Keep away from direct light and heat.

Is Ab351147 suitable for immunohistochemistry applications?

Anti-ALDH3A1 monoclonal antibodies are commonly used in immunohistochemistry. However, the validated applications for Ab351147 should be confirmed by reviewing the product datasheet. If IHC is intended, optimization of antigen retrieval method, antibody concentration, and incubation conditions is recommended to achieve optimal results.

References

1. Marchitti SA, Brocker C, Stagos D, Vasiliou V. Non-P450 aldehyde oxidizing enzymes: the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2008;4(6):697–720.
2. Pappa A, Sophos NA, Vasiliou V. Corneal and stomach expression of aldehyde dehydrogenases: from fish to mammals. Chem Biol Interact. 2001;130–132(1–3):181–191.
3. Moreb JS. Aldehyde dehydrogenase as a marker for stem cells. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2008;3(4):237–246.

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