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KAT7 / Histone acetyltransferase KAT7 · IHC design guide
Design Immunohistochemistry for KAT7
Plan paraffin-section KAT7 IHC around the nuclear staining seen in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC). Use testis preleptotene spermatocytes, which stain strongly, as a positive reference when assessing nuclear signal (HPA tissue IHC).
Evidence assembled Oct 2026 · For research use; verify linked source records and product datasheet before use
KAT7 Immunohistochemistry Experimental Design Guide
Expected localisation, validated protocols, controls and antibodies — the at-a-glance facts below, then the full design guide.
Must know before staining
| Expected localisation | Nuclear staining in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Staining pattern | Nuclear staining in most tissue cell types (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Antigen retrieval | Tris-EDTA pH 9.0 HIER, 95–98 °C, 20 min (rule: nuclear antigen) | |
| Positive control | Testis+4 more · see all | |
| Negative control | Adipose tissue+4 more · see all |
Important caveats
Reasons your staining may differ from the expected pattern.
| Fixation | Keep fixation conditions consistent across sections. (standard IHC practice; not target-specific) | |
| Caveat | Staining varies by cell type within tissues (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Regulation | Broad expression; highest in testis (UniProt) | |
| Isoform / epitope | 5 isoforms; antibody epitope coverage is unknown (UniProt) |
Section 1
Recommended KAT7 IHC & IF Protocols
The catalog antibody’s IHC-P protocol is followed by two published KAT7 IHC protocols: breast tissue sections and mouse xenograft tumors (PMC13583433; PMC11844059).
| Sample | Paraffin-embedded mouse testes tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet A03896-1) |
| Fixation | Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A03896-1); verify before use. |
| Sectioning | 4–5 µm sections on charged slides (standard) |
| Deparaffinisation | Xylene, graded ethanol series to water (standard) |
| Antigen retrieval | Heat-induced epitope retrieval in Tris-EDTA buffer, pH 9.0, 20 min at 95–98 °C (standard rule: nuclear antigen) |
| Peroxidase block | 3% H2O2, 10 min, room temperature (standard) |
| Blocking | 10% normal serum of the secondary host, 30 min, room temperature (standard) |
| Primary antibody | Rabbit anti-KAT7, 1:50-1:100 (datasheet A03896-1) |
| Primary incubation | Overnight at 4 °C (standard) |
| Detection | HRP-polymer secondary, DAB chromogen 5–10 min (standard) |
| Counterstain | Hematoxylin, blue, dehydrate and mount (standard) |
| Expected result | KAT7-positive staining in preleptotene spermatocytes of testis (HPA tissue IHC: High). HPA tissue profile: Nuclear expression in most tissues. No signal in the no-primary control. |
💡Decision noteStart with Tris-EDTA pH 9.0 retrieval at 95–98 °C for 20 min for this nuclear antigen (page retrieval rule; UniProt: nucleus).
Section 2
What Is the Expected KAT7 Staining Pattern?
KAT7 should show predominantly nuclear staining in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC: nuclear expression in most tissues; UniProt O95251: nucleus and chromosome). Testis preleptotene spermatocytes are a strong reference population (HPA: High). The HPA tissue profile is Approved, with medium consistency between staining and RNA data (HPA tissue IHC: reliability). KAT7 has no transmembrane segment (UniProt O95251: topology).
| Clear nuclear chromogen in testis preleptotene spermatocytes, with weaker staining in some other tissue cells. | This fits the reported High staining in preleptotene spermatocytes and Medium staining in several listed cell populations (HPA tissue IHC). Compare the named cell type and its nuclei; a tissue-level label does not mean every cell in that tissue should stain equally (HPA tissue IHC: cell-specific levels). |
| Predominantly membrane-like or cytoplasmic chromogen, with nuclei largely spared. | Treat this as a localisation mismatch for tissue IHC (HPA tissue IHC: nuclear expression in most tissues). KAT7 also has a reported cytosolic location (UniProt O95251; HPA subcellular: additional cytosol), so limited cytoplasmic signal alone is inconclusive. Check nuclear counterstain alignment and controls before assigning the signal to KAT7 (general IHC practice). |
| Strong colour in cells listed as Not detected, while expected nuclear staining is weak or absent. | Examples include adipocytes and prostate glandular cells (HPA tissue IHC: Not detected). Suspect off-target staining or endogenous detection activity, especially when colour does not follow nuclei (general IHC practice). 'Not detected' describes the HPA observation under its conditions; it is not proof of biological absence in every specimen (HPA tissue IHC: profile). |
| Haze covers nuclei, cytoplasm and surrounding tissue with little cell-to-cell distinction. | This is difficult to score as KAT7 because the reported tissue pattern is nuclear (HPA tissue IHC). Diffuse staining can arise from nonspecific binding or detection background (general IHC practice). Interpret it against a no-primary control and a clear positive tissue on the same run (general IHC practice). |
| No nuclear signal in testis preleptotene spermatocytes. | This conflicts with the reported High staining in that cell population (HPA tissue IHC: Testis). First confirm the cells are present and the counterstain is readable; then review the primary antibody, retrieval and detection run (general IHC practice). A blank slide by itself cannot distinguish technical failure from specimen variation. |
💡Expected KAT7 appearanceA convincing positive is predominantly nuclear chromogen in testis preleptotene spermatocytes at the reported High level, with Medium nuclear staining possible in listed populations such as adrenal glandular or bone-marrow hematopoietic cells; diffuse, membrane-like or exclusively cytoplasmic colour is suspect (HPA tissue IHC: cell levels and nuclear profile; general IHC practice: pattern assessment).
| Reference cell population | Testis preleptotene spermatocytes provide a High-staining reference, whereas the listed adrenal glandular and bone-marrow hematopoietic cells are Medium (HPA tissue IHC). Use cell identity as well as colour intensity when comparing fields (general IHC practice). |
| Low or undetected populations | Seminal-vesicle glandular cells, cardiomyocytes and smooth-muscle cells are listed as Low; adipocytes and prostate glandular cells are Not detected (HPA tissue IHC). These categories guide comparison under the reported conditions, but do not establish a universal negative control. |
| Antibody evidence | HPA044470 has Approved IHC status, while HPA071116 has no IHC status listed in the supplied antibody record (HPA antibodies). The tissue profile is Approved with medium staining–RNA consistency (HPA tissue IHC). Validate the actual antibody and run before treating weak or unusual staining as a biological result (general IHC practice). |
| Isoforms and epitope | Five KAT7 isoforms are listed, but this record gives no antibody epitope or isoform coverage (UniProt O95251: isoforms; HPA antibodies: supplied fields). Isoform-specific staining differences cannot be predicted from these data; avoid interpreting a negative cell population as lacking every isoform. |
| Processing and localisation | The recorded KAT7 chain spans residues 1–611, with no signal peptide, propeptide or transmembrane segment (UniProt O95251: processing and topology). This supports assessing nuclear intracellular staining; it does not predict antigen retrieval conditions or fixation sensitivity. |
| IF/ICC Q&A: may cytosolic fluorescence count? | Yes, alongside the main nucleoplasmic pattern: HPA reports supported nucleoplasm and approved additional cytosol in ICC-IF (HPA subcellular). Interpret that on the separate IF/ICC guide; the tissue IHC expectation remains predominantly nuclear (HPA tissue IHC). |
| Situation | Likely cause | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Positive reference tissue is blank. | The expected High preleptotene-spermatocyte signal is missing (HPA tissue IHC: Testis); cell selection or an IHC run step may be at fault (general IHC practice). | Locate preleptotene spermatocytes, confirm counterstain and tissue preservation, then check the recorded primary-antibody, retrieval and detection steps against the run sheet (general IHC practice). |
| Nuclei stain, but the whole section is uniformly dark. | High background can obscure the cell-specific nuclear pattern reported for KAT7 (HPA tissue IHC: nuclear profile; general IHC practice: background assessment). | Compare with a no-primary control; review blocking, washes, primary-antibody concentration and chromogen development within the established IHC workflow (general IHC practice). |
| Colour follows cytoplasm or membranes while nuclei remain pale. | The dominant compartment conflicts with the tissue IHC profile (HPA tissue IHC: nuclear expression in most tissues). A minor cytosolic component is reported in ICC-IF (HPA subcellular). | Check alignment with the nuclear counterstain and inspect the no-primary control; score predominant nonnuclear colour cautiously (general IHC practice). |
| Strong signal appears in adipocytes or prostate glandular cells. | Those populations are listed as Not detected (HPA tissue IHC). Off-target binding or endogenous detection activity is a possible technical explanation (general IHC practice). | Compare localisation and intensity with a positive reference, then inspect no-primary and detection controls before calling the cells positive (general IHC practice). |
| The chosen antibody gives a pattern unlike the HPA tissue profile. | Validation status differs across the supplied antibodies: HPA044470 is IHC Approved; HPA071116 has no IHC status listed (HPA antibodies). | Confirm the exact antibody identity and its IHC evidence, then assess the slide against the reported nuclear profile and cell-specific reference populations (HPA antibodies; HPA tissue IHC). |
| Scattered weak nuclei are hard to classify. | The profile includes Low, Medium and Not detected cell populations, and its staining–RNA consistency is medium (HPA tissue IHC). A single weak field has limited interpretive value. | Compare the named cell type across fields with the same run's positive and no-primary controls; record ambiguous signal separately from clear nuclear positivity (general IHC practice). |
Experiment evidence
IHC & IF images showing KAT7 staining
A03896-1 · IHCImmunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded mouse testes tissue using anti-KAT7 antibody. Counter stained with hematoxylin.
A03896-1 · IHCImmunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded rat testes tissue using anti-KAT7 antibody. Counter stained with hematoxylin.
A30463 · IFImmunofluorescence analysis of HUVEC cells, using MYST2 Antibody. The picture on the right is blocked with the synthesized peptide.
HPA · Cerebral cortexHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Cerebral cortex. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000136504-KAT7/tissue/cerebral+cortex#imid_12187297
HPA · ColonHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Colon. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000136504-KAT7/tissue/colon#imid_12187215
HPA · LiverHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Liver. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000136504-KAT7/tissue/liver#imid_12187224
HPA · KidneyHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Kidney. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000136504-KAT7/tissue/kidney#imid_12187225
HPA · ICC-IF A-431Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, A-431, antibody HPA044470; green = KAT7, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
HPA · ICC-IF A-431Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, A-431, antibody HPA044470; green = KAT7, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
← swipe / scroll for more images →
Real IHC / IF data behind the staining-pattern expectations in this section.
Sample controls for KAT7 IHC & IF
🧪Run testis first and expect preleptotene spermatocytes to stain (HPA: High). Run adipose tissue as the negative comparator, focusing on adipocytes (HPA: Not detected); unstained cells elsewhere on the testis slide can indicate local background, but the supplied HPA rows do not establish a specific testis cell type as negative.
Positive control tissue: Testis (Preleptotene spermatocytes, HPA High)
Negative control tissue: Adipose tissue (HPA Not detected)
ICC-IF cell lines (HPA subcellular resource): HPA ICC-IF images show KAT7 in A-431, PC-3, U2OS, CACO-2, Rh30, with annotated localisation: Nucleoplasm (supported) (HPA subcellular).
Technical controls: Include a no-primary, secondary-only control and an isotype-matched immunoglobulin control appropriate to the primary antibody’s host and clonality; use KAT7 knockout material or a validated peptide block as a biological negative (standard IHC practice). For chromogenic testis IHC, quench endogenous peroxidase when using HRP detection and block endogenous biotin if using a biotin-based system (standard IHC practice).
⚠️Feasibility: The A03896-1 caption shows staining in paraffin-embedded mouse testes with a hematoxylin counterstain, but its fixative is unreported; no target-specific fixation window or fixation effect is supplied (caption: A03896-1). Retrieval dependency is unreported, so establish antigen retrieval empirically (supplied application evidence). The evidence does not establish whether frozen sections or IF/ICC are easier, and no testis-specific artefact is reported (supplied application evidence).
HPA tissue IHC evidence for KAT7
Comprehensive Human Protein Atlas IHC scoring per tissue (reliability: Approved — Medium consistency between antibody staining and RNA expression data.). Rows are taken directly from the HPA tissue chart — click any row's HPA link to view the source.
Positive expression · recommended positive controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Testis | Preleptotene spermatocytes | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Adrenal gland | Glandular cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Bone marrow | Hematopoietic cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Breast | Glandular cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Bronchus | Basal cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Undetected expression · recommended negative controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adipose tissue | Adipocytes | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Appendix | Glandular cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Cerebellum | Cells in granular layer | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Hippocampus | Glial cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Liver | Cholangiocytes | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Section 3
Advanced KAT7 IHC Tips
Troubleshoot KAT7 staining by checking nuclear localisation, processing controls and cell type before interpreting chromogenic signal.
Which retrieval condition should I try first for weak KAT7 nuclear staining?
Start with Tris-EDTA at pH 9.0, heated to 95–98 °C for 20 min (page retrieval setting: nuclear antigen). Allow sections to cool consistently, then compare nuclear staining and tissue morphology across slides processed in the same run (standard IHC practice). If staining remains weak, test an alternative retrieval buffer on adjacent sections as a fallback, keeping antibody dilution and chromogen development constant (standard IHC practice). The selected antibody image shows KAT7 staining in paraffin-embedded mouse testes with hematoxylin counterstain, but its caption does not specify retrieval conditions or fixative (A03896-1 tissue-IHC caption).
Could fixation explain variable KAT7 staining between paraffin blocks?
KAT7-specific fixation sensitivity is unknown from the supplied evidence; the selected paraffin-section caption does not report a fixative (A03896-1 tissue-IHC caption). Compare blocks with documented fixation histories using 3–5 µm sections, identical Tris-EDTA retrieval at pH 9.0, and the same staining run (standard IHC practice; page retrieval setting). Include a consistently processed reference block to distinguish block preparation differences from changes in the staining run (standard IHC practice). If nuclear signal varies, record fixation and processing alongside the result without assigning the difference to a KAT7-specific chemical effect (standard IHC practice).
How should I troubleshoot diffuse cytoplasmic staining when I expect nuclear KAT7?
Evaluate nuclear and cytoplasmic staining separately: tissue IHC reports nuclear expression in most tissues, while subcellular imaging supports nucleoplasmic localisation with additional cytosolic localisation (HPA tissue IHC; HPA subcellular). KAT7 has no transmembrane segment, so a membrane outline is an unexpected pattern requiring specificity checks (UniProt O95251 topology). Compare matched sections with primary antibody omitted and inspect whether diffuse colour tracks folds, damaged areas or the slide edge (standard IHC practice). If cytoplasmic signal persists, report its distribution separately and avoid treating it as equivalent to nuclear KAT7 expression (HPA subcellular; standard IHC practice).
Can a negative section reflect isoform or epitope recognition rather than absent KAT7?
KAT7 has 5 annotated isoforms and a MYST-type acetyltransferase domain spanning residues 332–607 (UniProt O95251). Without an antibody epitope map, a negative paraffin section cannot establish whether every isoform was detectable after processing (UniProt O95251 isoforms; standard IHC interpretation). Check the antibody’s documented immunogen or epitope, then compare staining across identically processed sections before assigning a biological absence (standard IHC practice). KAT7 also has annotated modified residues, including ATR-associated phosphorylation at residues 50 and 53; their effect on this antibody’s tissue staining is unknown (UniProt O95251 modified residues).
How can IF help assess an ambiguous chromogenic KAT7 pattern?
Use IF as a separate localisation check while keeping paraffin chromogenic IHC as the primary readout (standard IHC/IF practice). In testis, multiplex KAT7 with a validated marker that identifies preleptotene spermatocytes, the cell group with high tissue-IHC expression, and include a nuclear counterstain (HPA tissue IHC; standard IF practice). Select a far-red channel if the specimen has substantial green-range autofluorescence, and verify that choice with an unstained section (standard IF practice). Because KAT7 is intracellular and mainly nucleoplasmic, assess nuclear access with controlled post-fixation permeabilisation; no transmembrane orientation needs to be resolved (HPA subcellular; UniProt O95251 topology; standard IF practice).
What should I change when DAB obscures KAT7-positive nuclei?
First inspect a section stained without primary antibody to identify colour from the detection workflow, and compare it with the complete stain (standard IHC practice). Apply the routine endogenous peroxidase block before chromogenic detection, then shorten DAB development if diffuse colour masks nuclear boundaries (standard IHC practice). Titrate the catalog antibody on adjacent 3–5 µm sections while holding Tris-EDTA retrieval at pH 9.0 constant (standard IHC practice; page retrieval setting). Score signal in intact nuclei rather than tissue folds or edges, since KAT7 tissue IHC is predominantly nuclear (HPA tissue IHC; standard IHC practice).
How should I score KAT7 staining across tissue sections? ⚠ ANSWER MARKED FOR VERIFICATION
Define the cell population and nuclear compartment before scoring, because KAT7 tissue IHC shows nuclear expression in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC). Record the percentage of positive nuclei and nuclear intensity, then calculate an H-score from 0–300 if intensity categories are reproducible (standard IHC scoring practice). For spatial comparisons, report positive nuclei per mm² of viable tissue and normalise to all evaluable nuclei in the same annotated compartment (standard IHC quantification practice). Keep retrieval, development time and scoring thresholds consistent across batches, and report cytoplasmic staining separately if present (standard IHC practice; HPA subcellular).
When is KAT7 staining convincing rather than artefactual?
A convincing result has interpretable nuclear signal in intact cells and fits the sampled cell population; HPA reports high staining in preleptotene spermatocytes and nuclear expression in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC). Compare the complete stain with a no-primary control and examine tissue edges, folds and necrotic regions before calling positivity (standard IHC practice). A membrane-only pattern conflicts with KAT7’s lack of a transmembrane segment, while cytosolic signal deserves separate review because cytosolic localisation is reported (UniProt O95251 topology; HPA subcellular). Exclude colour attributable to endogenous peroxidase before interpreting DAB signal as antigen detection (standard IHC practice).
Boster reagents
Best KAT7 / Histone acetyltransferase KAT7 IHC Antibodies
The catalog includes anti-KAT7 antibodies for tissue IHC and cell IF/ICC (catalog applications), with images of paraffin-embedded mouse and rat testes and HUVEC cells (catalog image captions).
Real IHC data
Anti-Histone acetyltransferase KAT7 KAT7 Antibody
Cat # A03896-1
Real IF data
Anti-MYST2 Antibody
Cat # A30463
A03896-1 is listed for IHC in Human, Mouse, and Rat (catalog applications and reactivity); its images show paraffin-embedded mouse and rat testes (catalog IHC captions). A30463 is listed for IF/ICC in Human, Mouse, and Rat (catalog applications and reactivity); its IF image shows HUVEC cells with a peptide-blocked comparison (catalog IF caption).
Which to pick: For tissue IHC, choose A03896-1 at 1:50–1:100 (catalog dilution); its images support paraffin sections, and the fixative is unreported (catalog IHC captions). For IF/ICC, choose the polyclonal A30463 at 1:200–1:1000 (catalog dilution and clonality); its image shows HUVEC IF (catalog IF caption). For cross-species planning, both list Human, Mouse, and Rat reactivity (catalog reactivity), while the shown IHC specimens are mouse and rat testes for A03896-1 (catalog IHC captions).
Each figure is that product's own IHC / IF validation image from its datasheet.
References
- UniProt Consortium. UniProt entry O95251 (KAT7_HUMAN, Histone acetyltransferase KAT7).
- Human Protein Atlas. KAT7 tissue IHC expression (reliability: Approved).
- Human Protein Atlas. KAT7 subcellular location (ICC-IF): Mainly localized to the nucleoplasm. In addition localized to the cytosol..
- Human Protein Atlas. KAT7 antibody validation summary (2 antibodies).
- MicroRNA-639 is Down-Regulated in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumor Tissue and Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Through the KAT7/Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research 2020 — PMC6988476.
- Inhibition of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 suppresses proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. Frontiers in oncology 2026 — PMC13583433.
- KAT7-acetylated YBX1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation by reprogramming nucleotide metabolism. BMC cancer 2025 — PMC11844059.
- Functional Mapping of Epigenomic Regulators Uncovers Coordinated Tumor Suppression by the HBO1 and MLL1 Complexes. Cancer discovery 2025 — PMC12469823.
- PubMed PMID:10438470 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:10930412 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:14702039 — UniProt-cited evidence.
Immunohistochemistry protocol sheet for KAT7 (Histone acetyltransferase KAT7). Expected localisation Nuclear staining in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC). Antigen retrieval: Tris-EDTA pH 9.0 HIER, 95–98 °C, 20 min (rule: nuclear antigen). Validated IHC antibody: A03896-1 at 1:50-1:100 (the product's own IHC validation image is shown). Controls (HPA): positive Testis (Preleptotene spermatocytes); negative Adipose tissue. IHC-P workflow on paraffin sections; fixative unspecified. Protocol steps: 1. Sample: Paraffin-embedded mouse testes tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet A03896-1); 2. Fixation: Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A03896-1); verify before use.; 3. Sectioning: 4–5 µm sections on charged slides (standard); 4. Deparaffinisation: Xylene, graded ethanol series to water (standard); 5. Antigen retrieval: Heat-induced epitope retrieval in Tris-EDTA buffer, pH 9.0 , 20 min at 95–98 °C…; 6. Peroxidase block: 3% H2O2, 10 min , room temperature (standard); 7. Blocking: 10% normal serum of the secondary host, 30 min , room temperature (standard); 8. Primary antibody: Rabbit anti-KAT7, 1:50-1:100 (datasheet A03896-1); 9. Primary incubation: Overnight at 4 °C (standard). Watch for: Fixation: Keep fixation conditions consistent across sections. (standard IHC practice; not target-specific); Caveat: Staining varies by cell type within tissues (HPA tissue IHC); Isoform / epitope: 5 isoforms; antibody epitope coverage is unknown (UniProt); Regulation: Broad expression; highest in testis (UniProt). Evidence: UniProt O95251, HPA tissue IHC · Approved, HPA ICC-IF · Mainly localized to the nucleoplasm. In addition localized to the…, Datasheet A03896-1, PMC13583433, PMC11844059. QR code links to https://www.bosterbio.com/bosterbio-gene-info-cards/KAT7/immunohistochemistry-ihc-guide.