SciFocus/Dec 28, 2024 — Flawed Bax Detection Calls into Question Over 1,400 Studies.
A recent study published in Cell Death & Disease has raised significant concerns about the reliability of a widely used antibody for detecting the apoptosis regulator Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). The research, led by Kristin Entrop, Senait Wieske, and Markus Rehm, reveals that the Bax Antibody (B-9) from Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc. produces false-positive signals, potentially invalidating findings in over 1,400 scientific publications. This discovery underscores the critical need for rigorous antibody validation in basic research.
“Flawed antibodies can lead to flawed science—validation is non-negotiable.”
Highlights
– Key Issue: The Bax Antibody (B-9), used in over 1,400 publications, produces false-positive signals in both immunoblotting and immunofluorescence experiments.
– Experimental Evidence: The antibody detected Bax-like signals in Bax/Bak-deficient cells, where no Bax should be present, and failed to show reduced signals after siRNA-mediated Bax depletion.
– Comparison with Alternative Antibody: An antibody from Cell Signaling Technology (#2772) accurately detected Bax loss in deficient cells, confirming the specificity issues with the Santa Cruz antibody.
– Literature Analysis: A review of 100 randomly selected publications using Bax Antibody (B-9) found that only one study included controls for specificity, and even that study lacked critical methodological details.
– Call for Action: The study emphasizes the need for manufacturers to provide rigorous validation data and for researchers to perform in-house validation of antibodies.
The findings of this study cast doubt on the validity of a significant body of research on Bax and apoptosis. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of antibody validation in scientific studies and calls for greater accountability from antibody suppliers. Moving forward, researchers are urged to adopt more stringent validation practices to ensure the reliability of their findings.
Reference
Entrop, K., Wieske, S., & Rehm, M. (2024). *Why Bax detection in >1400 publications might be flawed*. Cell Death & Disease, 15, 880. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-06780-w
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