BTN1A1/Butyrophilin Fc Chimera Protein: An Important Tool for Structural and Functional Research
BTN1A1 (Butyrophilin Subfamily 1 Member A1) is a key member of the butyrophilin family, initially discovered in mammary epithelial cells during lactation, and is closely associated with the formation and secretion of milk fat globule membranes.
- Recent Advances
- Product Information
I. Biological Characteristics of BTN1A1 Protein
BTN1A1 (Butyrophilin Subfamily 1 Member A1) is an important member of the butyrophilin family, initially discovered in lactating mammary epithelial cells and closely associated with the formation and secretion of milk fat globule membranes. This protein belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily, featuring typical extracellular immunoglobulin variable and constant domains. Recent studies have revealed that BTN1A1 not only participates in mammary physiological functions but also plays significant roles in immune regulation, particularly displaying regulatory potential in T cell responses, autoimmune diseases, and tumor immunity. BTN1A1 interacts with specific ligands or receptors to participate in immune synapse formation and the regulation of immune cell activation.
II. Design Advantages of BTN1A1/Butyrophilin Fc Chimera Protein
The BTN1A1/Butyrophilin Fc Chimera protein is a genetically engineered recombinant fusion protein that connects the extracellular functional domain of BTN1A1 with the Fc fragment of human immunoglobulin G (IgG). This design incorporates multiple technical advantages:
1. Enhanced Stability and Solubility: The introduction of the Fc fragment significantly improves the stability and solubility of the recombinant protein in solution, facilitating long-term storage and experimental handling.
2. Convenient Purification and Detection: The Fc fragment can efficiently bind to Protein A/G resin, enabling one-step high-efficiency purification. It can also be easily detected via anti-Fc antibodies in Western blot, immunoprecipitation, or flow cytometry.
3. Flexibility in Functional Studies: This chimera retains the natural ligand-binding properties of BTN1A1 while mimicking the native conformation of membrane-bound forms through Fc-mediated dimerization, making it suitable for in vitro binding assays, cellular functional studies, and animal model validation.
III. Major Research Applications
1. Immune Regulation Mechanism Research
- T Cell Function Regulation: Used to study the effects of BTN1A1 on T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation, investigating its interaction mechanisms with T cell receptors via surface display or soluble forms.
- Immune Checkpoint Function Exploration: As a potential immune regulatory molecule, it is used to explore its role in immune checkpoint pathways and cross-regulation with known immune checkpoint molecules.
2. Protein Interaction Analysis
- Ligand-Receptor Identification: Serves as a bait protein to screen and validate interaction partners through surface plasmon resonance, bio-layer interferometry, or pull-down assays.
- Binding Kinetics Studies: Quantitatively analyzes the binding affinity and kinetic parameters between BTN1A1 and candidate ligands.
3. Tumor Immunology Research
- Tumor Microenvironment Analysis: Investigates the expression patterns of BTN1A1 on tumor cell surfaces and its regulatory effects on tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte functions.
- Immunotherapy Target Validation: Evaluates the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of antibodies or small-molecule inhibitors targeting BTN1A1.
4. Autoimmune Disease Research
- Disease Model Establishment: Studies the impact of BTN1A1 overexpression or deficiency on the development of autoimmune diseases in animal models.
- Therapeutic Strategy Development: Explores novel treatment approaches for autoimmune diseases based on BTN1A1 regulation.
IV. Experimental Design and Method Optimization
1. In Vitro Binding Assays
- Coat BTN1A1-Fc protein onto ELISA plates or biosensor chips to detect its specific binding with candidate ligands.
- Analyze the binding characteristics of BTN1A1-Fc with cell surface receptors via flow cytometry.
2. Cellular Functional Assays
- Treat immune cells with soluble BTN1A1-Fc protein to evaluate its effects on cell activation and cytokine secretion.
- Simulate membrane-bound signal transduction functions through Fc-mediated crosslinking.
3. Animal Model Studies
- Conduct in vivo functional studies using BTN1A1-Fc protein, assessing physiological effects via systemic administration or local injection.
- Establish disease intervention models based on this protein to explore therapeutic potential.
V. Summary and Outlook
The BTN1A1/Butyrophilin Fc Chimera protein, as a functionally integrated research tool, provides a powerful means to explore the multifaceted roles of BTN1A1 in immune regulation, tumor immunology, and autoimmune diseases. Its unique design combines excellent physicochemical properties with intact biological functions, offering broad application prospects in both basic research and translational medicine.
Future research directions include:
1. Utilizing this protein tool to further elucidate the immune regulatory mechanisms of BTN1A1 beyond mammary physiological functions.
2. Developing novel immunotherapy strategies targeting BTN1A1.
3. Investigating the regulatory mechanisms of BTN1A1 expression under various physiological and pathological conditions.
4. Establishing a more comprehensive functional research system for BTN1A1 to advance the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.
As our understanding of BTN1A1's biological functions deepens, the BTN1A1/Butyrophilin Fc Chimera protein will continue to play a vital role in immunological research and drug development, providing robust support for mechanistic insights and therapeutic innovations in related diseases.
VI. Which Manufacturers Provide BTN1A1/Butyrophilin Fc Chimera Protein?
Nanjing U-Protein has independently developed the BTN1A1/Butyrophilin Fc Chimera Protein, Human (Catalog No.: UA011184), a high-purity, high-activity recombinant human BTN1A1 (Butyrophilin Subfamily 1 Member A1) fusion protein. Through genetic engineering, the extracellular domain of BTN1A1 is fused with the Fc fragment of human immunoglobulin (typically IgG1) and produced in mammalian cell systems (e.g., HEK293) to form stable homodimers. This product combines the binding specificity of the natural receptor with the multifunctionality of the Fc fragment, making it an ideal tool for studying immune regulation, T cell function, antibody development, and protein interactions.
| Core Product Advantages |
|---|
| High Purity and Native Active Conformation: Produced in mammalian expression systems to ensure correct folding, glycosylation modifications, and stable dimer structures. Purified via Protein A affinity chromatography and other steps to achieve high purity (>95%) and low endotoxin levels, preserving its native conformation and biological functions. |
| Stable Dimer Structure Enhances Functionality: The homodimer structure formed by the Fc fragment mimics the multivalent state of natural membrane proteins, potentially enhancing the avidity with ligands (e.g., unknown receptors or immune cell surface molecules), leading to more pronounced effects in functional assays (e.g., cell binding, signal regulation). |
| Exceptional Application Flexibility and Convenience: |
| - Detection and Imaging: The Fc tag allows direct use with fluorescent or enzyme-labeled anti-human Fc secondary antibodies for flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, or ELISA detection of BTN1A1 ligands on cell surfaces. |
| - Immobilization and Purification: Easily immobilized via Protein A/G media for pull-down assays, receptor discovery, or biosensor analysis. |
| - Functional Studies: Used to investigate the regulatory effects of BTN1A1 on immune cell functions such as γδ T cells and CD8⁺ T cells. |
| Excellent Stability and Batch Consistency: The product undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure consistent purity, molecular weight, and biological activity across batches, guaranteeing reliable and reproducible experimental results. |
| Clear Research Applications: |
| - Immune Regulation Research: Explore the potential regulatory roles of BTN1A1 in tumor immunity, autoimmune diseases, or infectious diseases. |
| - Ligand Screening and Validation: Serve as a "bait" protein to discover and validate novel immune cell receptors or binding partners. |
| - Antibody Development and Validation: Act as a high-quality immunogen or detection antigen for developing BTN1A1-specific antibodies. |
Nanjing U-Protein is committed to providing high-performance, flexible recombinant protein tools for immunology, tumor immunology, and antibody drug development. For detailed technical parameters, application solutions, or experimental design consultations regarding BTN1A1/Butyrophilin Fc Chimera Protein, Human (Catalog No.: UA011184), please feel free to contact us.













