AtaGenix Delivers Custom Rabbit Polyclonal Antibody Services for Haojie Hao’s Team at Wuhan Institute of Virology

Study Context
In the field of virology, understanding the molecular mechanisms of highly pathogenic viruses like Nipah virus (NiV) is critical for developing effective antiviral strategies. A recent study published in Viruses (DOI: 10.3390/v17060831 IF: 3.8 Q2) by the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, revealed the pivotal role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in modulating NiV replication and pathogenicity. The study demonstrated that higher m6A methylation levels on viral RNA correlate with increased virulence in the NiV-Malaysia strain, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting the m6A pathway. This work provides a foundational framework for developing host-directed antiviral therapies against high-risk RNA viruses.

Client Requirements
The research team, led by Haojie Hao at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, required a custom mouse polyclonal antibody (pAb) against the NiV M protein to investigate its role in modulating host m6A machinery and viral replication. AtaGenix Laboratories Co., Ltd. (Wuhan, China) was commissioned to deliver a high-specificity antibody validated for Western blot (WB) assays in biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) conditions.

Technical Challenges
1. Antibody Specificity: Designing antigens to target the NiV M protein while minimizing cross-reactivity with other viral or host proteins.
2. Functional Validation: Ensuring reliable antibody performance in WB assays to accurately detect the NiV M protein in complex samples.
3. BSL-4 Constraints: Developing an antibody that performs robustly in the stringent high-containment environment required for NiV research.

Custom Antibody Solution
AtaGenix collaborated with the Haojie Hao research team to develop a custom mouse polyclonal antibody against the NiV M protein, supporting their study published in Viruses (DOI: 10.3390/v17060831). Our solution included:

1. Antigen Design and Antibody Production:
- Designed specific NiV M protein peptides to ensure high immunogenicity and specificity.
- Immunized mice to generate high-titer pAbs, delivered within 4–6 weeks, optimized for sensitivity in detecting the NiV M protein.

2. Validation and Support:
- Validated antibody specificity via WB analysis on NiV-infected cell lysates, confirming accurate detection of the M protein.
- Provided technical support to optimize antibody performance in BSL-4 settings, ensuring reliable results in high-containment environments.

The anti-NiV M pAb enabled the research team to confirm the M protein’s role in modulating host m6A machinery, providing critical insights into NiV pathogenesis. Validated through WB assays, the antibody supported the study’s findings, advancing the development of m6A-targeted antiviral strategies.

For more information, visit www.atagenix.com. AtaGenix provides one-stop customized support from antibody/protein design to functional validation, covering custom antibodies, protein expression, phage display, and multi-platform validation.