AtaGenix Custom Anti-Tudor Polyclonal Antibody Facilitates the Elucidation of Insect–Microbe Symbiosis Mechanisms

Background

The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a major invasive pest threatening global agriculture, causing severe damage and economic losses to crops such as vegetables and cotton across many countries and regions. Its rapid population expansion is closely linked to its unique symbiotic microorganisms. Among these, the facultative symbiont Hamiltonella can markedly alter the sex ratio of the host’s offspring, increasing the proportion of females and thereby accelerating population growth. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this key biological phenomenon had long remained unclear.

In June 2025, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) (DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2427053122), revealing that Hamiltonella manipulates host fertilisation by hijacking the core maternal protein Tudor within the host reproductive system. The study demonstrated that Hamiltonella upregulates Tudor protein expression, which in turn modulates specific piRNAs, ultimately influencing oocyte energy metabolism and cytoskeletal reorganisation. This work represents the first elucidation of a complete mechanism by which microbes regulate host reproduction via the piRNA pathway, offering a novel perspective for understanding host–microbe interactions.

Research Requirements

The research team required an antibody capable of specifically recognising the whitefly Tudor protein sequence. This antibody needed to be suitable for quantitative Western blotting as well as for immunofluorescence, enabling precise localisation within complex ovarian tissue sections.

Technical Challenges

1) As Bemisia tabaci is a non-model organism, its protein sequence resources are limited, and commercially available antibodies are scarce.

2) The Tudor protein family is highly conserved, raising the risk of cross-reactivity with other host proteins, which could compromise detection specificity.

3) The experimental design demanded both protein-level validation by Western blot and tissue localisation analysis by immunofluorescence, imposing stringent requirements on antibody specificity and applicability.

Custom Anti-Tudor Polyclonal Antibody Development

In response to these challenges, Atagenix delivered an end-to-end customised antibody solution, from antigen design to validation:

Antigen Design and Expression

Based on the Tudor protein sequence of B. tabaci (Accession No. 00301635) provided by the client, we precisely synthesised the immunogenic fragment (Leu803–Tyr1095).

Polyclonal Antibody Production and Purification

Rabbits were immunised with the synthesised antigen to generate polyclonal antibodies. Following a professional purification workflow, high-specificity antisera were obtained.

Rigorous Multi-level Validation

A comprehensive validation system was employed, including protein-level confirmation by Western blot and molecular-level verification via LC-MS/MS analysis. This robust validation established the specificity and broad applicability of the anti-Tudor polyclonal antibody, ensuring solid technical support for subsequent studies.

Contribution and Impact

Using the Atagenix customised anti-Tudor polyclonal antibody, the research team successfully demonstrated that:

1) The symbiont Hamiltonella regulates Tudor expression levels within host oocytes;

2) The piRNA pathway is consequently activated, promoting oocyte maturation and fertilisation;

3) A novel paradigm was uncovered, wherein symbionts enhance host fertility through molecular regulatory mechanisms.

About Us

Atagenix is dedicated to delivering high-quality customised services in protein antibody development and functional validation, empowering scientific research with efficiency and reliability. Learn more please visit: http://www.atagenix.com