Reliable hexokinase 3 protein detection in human cell lines and primary tissue

Accurate differentiation of homologous proteins that share high sequence identity remains a significant challenge in biomedical research, as conventional antibodies often lack sufficient specificity, leading to potential misinterpretations. This issue is particularly evident in the study of hexokin...

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Main Authors: Yasmeen H. Mady, Carmen G. Kalbermatter, Maarij Khan, Anna M. Schläfli, Rina Mehmeti, Inti Zlobec, Lucine Christe, Mario P. Tschan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2025-03-01
Series:European Journal of Histochemistry
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Online Access:https://www.ejh.it/index.php/ejh/article/view/4175
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author Yasmeen H. Mady
Carmen G. Kalbermatter
Maarij Khan
Anna M. Schläfli
Rina Mehmeti
Inti Zlobec
Lucine Christe
Mario P. Tschan
author_facet Yasmeen H. Mady
Carmen G. Kalbermatter
Maarij Khan
Anna M. Schläfli
Rina Mehmeti
Inti Zlobec
Lucine Christe
Mario P. Tschan
author_sort Yasmeen H. Mady
collection DOAJ
description Accurate differentiation of homologous proteins that share high sequence identity remains a significant challenge in biomedical research, as conventional antibodies often lack sufficient specificity, leading to potential misinterpretations. This issue is particularly evident in the study of hexokinases, a family of isoenzymes that catalyze the first step of glycolysis by phosphorylating glucose. Beyond their canonical metabolic roles, hexokinases play critical non-glycolytic functions, especially in cancer biology. However, their unique tissue distributions and context-dependent roles are often obscured by the overlapping specificities of commercially available antibodies, which can produce misleading results. In this study, we rigorously evaluated a panel of antibodies targeting hexokinase isoenzyme 3 (HK3), highlighting the widespread issue of cross-reactivity and insufficient validation. Through this process, we identified and validated a highly specific antibody for HK3, demonstrating its reliability in western blot and immunohistochemistry applications. Using this validated tool, we reveal the distinct localization of HK3 in myeloid cell populations, providing new insights into its potential functional roles in these cells. This work addresses a critical gap in antibody specificity and establishes HK3 as a uniquely expressed gene in myeloid and immune cells and is absent in other cell types under basal conditions. Providing a foundation for future investigations into its context-dependent functions.
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spelling doaj-art-92fa610b1e154af88f50831cd0d340e32025-08-20T02:59:19ZengPAGEPress PublicationsEuropean Journal of Histochemistry1121-760X2038-83062025-03-0169110.4081/ejh.2025.4175Reliable hexokinase 3 protein detection in human cell lines and primary tissueYasmeen H. Mady0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7746-7894Carmen G. Kalbermatter1https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7126-1368Maarij Khan2https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2988-2206Anna M. Schläfli3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8715-9329Rina Mehmeti4https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4517-1151Inti Zlobec5Lucine Christe6https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8847-9391Mario P. Tschan7https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5897-3647Institute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences,University of BernInstitute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences,University of BernInstitute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of BernInstitute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of BernInstitute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of BernInstitute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of BernInstitute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of BernInstitute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern Accurate differentiation of homologous proteins that share high sequence identity remains a significant challenge in biomedical research, as conventional antibodies often lack sufficient specificity, leading to potential misinterpretations. This issue is particularly evident in the study of hexokinases, a family of isoenzymes that catalyze the first step of glycolysis by phosphorylating glucose. Beyond their canonical metabolic roles, hexokinases play critical non-glycolytic functions, especially in cancer biology. However, their unique tissue distributions and context-dependent roles are often obscured by the overlapping specificities of commercially available antibodies, which can produce misleading results. In this study, we rigorously evaluated a panel of antibodies targeting hexokinase isoenzyme 3 (HK3), highlighting the widespread issue of cross-reactivity and insufficient validation. Through this process, we identified and validated a highly specific antibody for HK3, demonstrating its reliability in western blot and immunohistochemistry applications. Using this validated tool, we reveal the distinct localization of HK3 in myeloid cell populations, providing new insights into its potential functional roles in these cells. This work addresses a critical gap in antibody specificity and establishes HK3 as a uniquely expressed gene in myeloid and immune cells and is absent in other cell types under basal conditions. Providing a foundation for future investigations into its context-dependent functions. https://www.ejh.it/index.php/ejh/article/view/4175HexokinaseHK3immunohistochemistryleukemiamyeloid cellsantibody
spellingShingle Yasmeen H. Mady
Carmen G. Kalbermatter
Maarij Khan
Anna M. Schläfli
Rina Mehmeti
Inti Zlobec
Lucine Christe
Mario P. Tschan
Reliable hexokinase 3 protein detection in human cell lines and primary tissue
European Journal of Histochemistry
Hexokinase
HK3
immunohistochemistry
leukemia
myeloid cells
antibody
title Reliable hexokinase 3 protein detection in human cell lines and primary tissue
title_full Reliable hexokinase 3 protein detection in human cell lines and primary tissue
title_fullStr Reliable hexokinase 3 protein detection in human cell lines and primary tissue
title_full_unstemmed Reliable hexokinase 3 protein detection in human cell lines and primary tissue
title_short Reliable hexokinase 3 protein detection in human cell lines and primary tissue
title_sort reliable hexokinase 3 protein detection in human cell lines and primary tissue
topic Hexokinase
HK3
immunohistochemistry
leukemia
myeloid cells
antibody
url https://www.ejh.it/index.php/ejh/article/view/4175
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