Overview of Oct-2 and Its Biological Role

Oct-2, encoded by the POU2F2 gene, is a member of the POU (Pit-Oct-Unc) family of transcription factors. It binds to the octamer motif (5′-ATGCAAAT-3′) found in the promoters and enhancers of immunoglobulin genes, playing a critical role in driving their tissue-specific expression in B lymphocytes. Oct-2 is predominantly expressed in B cells and certain neurons, making it a widely used marker to identify B-cell lineage in both basic research and diagnostic pathology settings.

Beyond immunoglobulin gene regulation, Oct-2 cooperates with its co-activator Bob-1 (OBF-1/OCA-B) to regulate a broader transcriptional program governing B-cell activation, differentiation, and terminal plasma cell development. Loss-of-function studies in mouse models have demonstrated that Oct-2 is essential for the T-cell-independent immune response and for proper germinal center formation.

Product Description and Formulation

The Oct-2 Mouse mAb (Aladdin SKU: Ab350595) is a mouse-derived monoclonal antibody raised against the Oct-2 transcription factor. The antibody is supplied in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) without added stabilizers or carrier proteins, which provides flexibility for downstream conjugation or customized formulation by the end user.

The PBS-only format requires that researchers handle and store the antibody according to standard protocols for unconjugated monoclonal antibodies. It is recommended to aliquot the antibody upon receipt to minimize freeze-thaw cycles, which can compromise antibody integrity and binding activity over time. Specific lot-to-lot concentration, purity, and storage temperature should be confirmed by reviewing the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) provided with each shipment.

Recommended Applications and Usage Guidelines

Monoclonal antibodies targeting Oct-2 are employed across a range of immunological and molecular biology applications. Common uses include:

• Western Blotting (WB): Detection of Oct-2 protein in whole-cell or nuclear lysates from B-cell lines or primary B lymphocytes.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Tissue-section staining to identify B-cell populations in lymphoid organs, tonsil, and lymphoma biopsies.
• Immunofluorescence (IF): Visualization of Oct-2 nuclear localization in cultured cells.
• Flow Cytometry (FC): Intracellular staining protocols to quantify Oct-2-expressing cell populations.
• Immunoprecipitation (IP): Co-IP experiments to study Oct-2 protein–protein interactions, including its association with Bob-1.

Optimal working dilutions and antigen retrieval conditions should be determined empirically for each application and sample type. Please refer to the product datasheet for manufacturer-recommended starting dilutions and validated application data.

Oct-2 in Disease and Translational Research

Oct-2 has significant relevance in the study of B-cell malignancies. It is consistently expressed in the majority of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and classic Hodgkin lymphoma Reed-Sternberg cells, where its expression pattern, together with that of Bob-1, assists pathologists in subtyping lymphomas. The differential expression of Oct-2 and Bob-1 between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes makes this antibody a valuable tool in the diagnostic immunohistochemistry panel.

In addition, Oct-2 has been investigated in the context of autoimmune diseases, given its role in controlling B-cell activation thresholds. Research into Oct-2 function continues to illuminate mechanisms of humoral immunity, offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention in antibody-mediated pathologies.