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DSC2 / Desmocollin-2 · Western blot design guide
Design a Western Blot for DSC2
Real validated DSC2 Western blot protocols, expected-band and isoform facts, troubleshooting for weak or shifted signal, and recommended anti-DSC2 WB antibodies. Everything you need to plan the experiment before you commit precious samples.
Evidence assembled September 2026 · For research use; verify linked source records and product datasheet before use
DSC2 Western Blot Experimental Design Guide
Expected bands, validated protocols, controls and antibodies — the at-a-glance facts below, then the full design guide.
Must know before running
| Expected band | ~100 kDa | |
| Observed band | ~110 kDa | |
| Gel | 10% (catalog A03205-2) | |
| Positive control | Appendix (IHC candidate; verify WB) +4 more | |
| Negative control | Adipose tissue (IHC candidate; verify WB) |
Important caveats
Reasons your observed band may differ from the expected size.
| PTM | Glycosylated + Phosphorylated | |
| Caveat | Modification-state controls | |
| Gene-set association | MSigDB Hallmark membership | |
| Isoform | 2 isoform(s) |
Section 1
Real Curated DSC2 Western Blot Protocols
The A03205-2 protocol combines labelled catalog values with standard starting conditions. Published comparisons retain their own sample, reagent and detection scope.
| Sample / lysate | human Hela, human HepG2, rat heart (catalog A03205-2) |
| Gel % | 10% (catalog A03205-2) |
| Load | 30 ug; reducing conditions (catalog A03205-2) |
| Transfer | a nitrocellulose membrane at 150 mA for 50-90 minutes (catalog A03205-2) |
| Membrane | nitrocellulose membrane (catalog A03205-2) |
| Blocking | 5% non-fat milk/TBS for 1.5 hour at RT (catalog A03205-2) |
| Primary antibody | A03205-2 · 1:1000 (catalog A03205-2) |
| Primary incubation | overnight at 4°C (catalog A03205-2) |
| Secondary antibody | goat anti-rabbit IgG-HRP, 1:5000 (catalog A03205-2) |
| Secondary incubation | 1.5 hour at RT (catalog A03205-2) |
| Wash | TBS-0.1%Tween 3 times with 5 minutes each (catalog A03205-2) |
| Detection | ECL (catalog A03205-2) |
Section 2
What Is the Expected DSC2 Western Blot Band Size?
DSC2 is predicted at 100 kDa, while an empirical band appears at ~110 kDa; the cause of that difference is not established.
| Band at ~110 kDa | Empirical DSC2 band reported in reducing whole-cell and tissue lysates; confirm identity with appropriate controls. |
| Band near 100 kDa | Near the predicted mass of the 901-residue precursor; identity requires confirmation. |
| Band below the precursor region | Signal-peptide and propeptide cleavage could reduce sequence mass; mature-band migration is not supplied. |
| Possible doublet or multiple bands | Isoforms 2A and 2B or processing could contribute; distinct migration is not established. |
| Broad signal near the DSC2 band | Variation at N-linked glycosylation sites is possible, but a smear is not established by the site annotations. |
💡Expected DSC2 appearanceDSC2 has a predicted precursor mass of 100 kDa and an empirical band at ~110 kDa; the cause of the difference is unestablished, so confirm band identity with appropriate controls.
| Predicted precursor mass | The 901-residue sequence has a predicted mass of 100 kDa; the reported empirical band is ~110 kDa. |
| N-linked glycosylation at Asn34, Asn166, Asn392, Asn546 and Asn629 | May alter apparent migration; Asn392 is annotated with a complex glycan, but the contribution to the observed band is unknown. |
| Signal peptide at residues 1–27 and propeptide at residues 28–135 | Cleavage reduces sequence mass relative to the precursor; mature-band migration is not supplied. |
| Splice isoforms 2A and 2B | May differ in apparent size, but their relative order and separation are not established. |
| Situation | Likely cause | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| No band in lysate | DSC2 is a cell-membrane and desmosomal protein that may be poorly recovered in a whole-cell preparation. | Check membrane-protein recovery and a DSC2-positive lysate. |
| Band higher than expected | The reported ~110 kDa band exceeds the 100 kDa predicted precursor mass; the cause is unestablished. | Compare with the reported band and confirm identity using a second antibody or DSC2 depletion. |
| Band lower than expected | Signal-peptide or propeptide cleavage could reduce sequence mass. | Check the antibody epitope and confirm the lower band's identity with an independent antibody or DSC2 depletion. |
| Broad smear instead of sharp band | Variable N-linked glycosylation is possible at the annotated sites, but is not demonstrated as the cause. | Compare matched samples with and without N-glycan removal and confirm DSC2 identity. |
| Multiple bands | Isoforms 2A and 2B or precursor processing could contribute; distinct bands are not established. | Check antibody epitope coverage and compare bands after DSC2 depletion. |
| Weak or no signal | Low recovery of membrane-associated DSC2 is possible. | Check extraction and loading with a membrane-protein control and a DSC2-positive sample. |
Experiment evidence
Western blot images showing DSC2 band
A03205-2 · DSC2
← swipe / scroll for more images →
Real WB data behind the band-size expectations in this section.
Sample controls for DSC2 Western blot
🧪HPA-IHC candidate guidance (verify in WB): For positive controls for DSC2 in Western blot, you can use appendix tissue, which HPA scores High.
Positive control: Appendix (IHC candidate; verify WB)
Negative control: Adipose tissue (IHC candidate; verify WB)
Loading controls: Run GAPDH, β-actin, and a total-protein stain alongside the samples.
⚠️Feasibility: DSC2 is a desmosomal membrane protein, so membrane-enriched lysate may improve detection.
HPA tissue expression evidence for DSC2
Comprehensive Human Protein Atlas IHC scoring per tissue. Rows are taken directly from the HPA tissue chart — click any row's HPA link to view the source.
Higher expression tissues · candidate positive controls from IHC
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appendix | glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Endometrium | glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Esophagus | squamous epithelial cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Heart muscle | cardiomyocytes | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Oral mucosa | squamous epithelial cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Lower expression tissues · IHC evidence, not confirmed WB-negative controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adipose tissue | adipocytes | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Adrenal gland | glandular cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Bone marrow | hematopoietic cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Breast | adipocytes | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Caudate | glial cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Section 3
Advanced DSC2 Western Blot Tips
Deeper troubleshooting and optimisation questions for DSC2, answered from its protein features.
How should DSC2 band migration be interpreted?
Band shift · Use the separately labelled calculated mass and catalog-observed evidence above. A sequence annotation does not establish an observed migration shift. Verify target identity with orthogonal controls.
Could isoforms 2A and 2B produce different bands?
Isoforms · Isoform 2B replaces residues 837–847 with another 11 residues and lacks residues 848–901, relative to the supplied canonical sequence. Check whether the antibody recognizes a sequence retained in both isoforms. The sequence difference could affect band size, but these features do not establish where either isoform migrates.
Which DSC2 glycosylation sites matter when assessing band mobility?
PTM · UniProt lists N-linked sites at positions 34, 166, 392, 546 and 629; position 392 is annotated as complex. Position 34 lies within the annotated propeptide (28–135), so do not assume it remains on mature DSC2. Glycosylation could affect mobility, but the annotations do not predict a specific shift.
UniProt annotates phosphoserines at positions 864, 868 and 873 in the supplied canonical sequence. These positions fall within the region missing from isoform 2B. State the sequence numbering convention when comparing them with an antibody or paper; phosphorylation at these sites does not by itself establish a visible band shift.
UniProt annotates phosphoserines at positions 864, 868 and 873 in the supplied canonical sequence. These positions fall within the region missing from isoform 2B. State the sequence numbering convention when comparing them with an antibody or paper; phosphorylation at these sites does not by itself establish a visible band shift.
Does this guide establish induction of DSC2?
Induction · No general induction response is established by this guide. A pathway or gene-set association is not evidence of induction in a particular specimen. Verify the relevant treatment and control in a target-specific experiment.
How should transfer be checked for DSC2?
Transfer · Standard workflow guidance: verify transfer efficiency for the intended target size before interpreting a weak signal. Use total-protein assessment and optimize transfer for the membrane, gel and apparatus; the labelled catalog values take precedence.
How should blocking be optimized?
Blocking · Standard workflow guidance: follow the A03205-2 datasheet where specified. Otherwise compare 5% milk or 5% BSA in TBST; for a phospho-specific assay start with BSA. Optimize background and specific signal with matched controls.
What matters when quantifying DSC2 by Western blot?
Quantitation · DSC2 is a single-pass membrane protein located at desmosomes. Keep sample preparation and the fraction measured consistent across samples, and quantify the same identified band each time. If both isoforms are detected, establish which band or bands the measurement includes.
Why might DSC2 appear near 110 kDa instead of 100 kDa?
Interpretation · The observed band is about 110 kDa, versus a predicted 100 kDa. DSC2 has five annotated N-linked glycosylation sites and signal and propeptide regions, which may affect the mature protein and its apparent mobility. These features alone do not establish the cause of the difference.
DSC2 has a signal peptide at positions 1–27 and a propeptide at 28–135. Consider these regions when comparing a mature DSC2 band with the 100 kDa predicted mass. The supplied features do not specify the apparent mass of a processed product.
Check whether a band is consistent with the annotated signal peptide and propeptide regions, N-linked glycosylation, or the shorter 2B isoform. An antibody directed against residues 848–901 of the supplied canonical sequence would not recognize that region in 2B. Band position alone cannot identify the cause.
DSC2 has a signal peptide at positions 1–27 and a propeptide at 28–135. Consider these regions when comparing a mature DSC2 band with the 100 kDa predicted mass. The supplied features do not specify the apparent mass of a processed product.
Check whether a band is consistent with the annotated signal peptide and propeptide regions, N-linked glycosylation, or the shorter 2B isoform. An antibody directed against residues 848–901 of the supplied canonical sequence would not recognize that region in 2B. Band position alone cannot identify the cause.
Boster reagents
DSC2 Western Blot Antibodies
Catalog antibodies with Western blot application and product-specific WB images. Evaluate suitability with the reported sample, controls and experimental conditions.
Real WB data
Anti-DSC2 Antibody Picoband®
Cat # A03205-2
The catalog reports one anti-DSC2 antibody, A03205-2, with a Western blot image from human HeLa and HepG2 cells and rat and mouse heart lysates. The reported band is approximately 110 kDa versus an expected 100 kDa; evidence is limited to these shown samples and conditions.
Which to pick: A03205-2 is the only listed option. It reports human, mouse and rat reactivity and has a Western blot image. Use the shown sample contexts and 1:1000 primary antibody dilution as a starting point for your experiment.
Source: BosterBio DSC2 gene-info card — filtered to Western-blot-capable antibodies; each card shows that product's actual WB validation figure.
References
- UniProt Consortium. UniProt entry Q02487.
- Human Protein Atlas. DSC2 tissue expression.
- PMC7667169 — target-verified WB comparison
- PMC11747461 — target-verified WB comparison
- PMC9473342 — target-verified WB comparison