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- Table of Contents
MAL / Myelin and lymphocyte protein · Western blot design guide
Design a Western Blot for MAL
Real validated MAL Western blot protocols, expected-band and isoform facts, troubleshooting for weak or shifted signal, and recommended anti-MAL 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
MAL 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 | ~16.7 kDa | |
| Observed band | ~17 kDa | |
| Gel | 5–20% (catalog A06941-1) | |
| Negative control | Suggested KO / knockdown lysate |
Important caveats
Reasons your observed band may differ from the expected size.
| PTM | — | |
| Caveat | Membrane extraction controls | |
| Gene-set association | MSigDB Hallmark membership | |
| Isoform | 4 isoform(s) |
Section 1
Real Curated MAL Western Blot Protocols
The A06941-1 protocol combines labelled catalog values with standard starting conditions. Published comparisons retain their own sample, reagent and detection scope.
| Sample / lysate | human Jurkat, human Raji, human HL-60 (catalog A06941-1) |
| Gel % | 5–20% (catalog A06941-1) |
| Load | 50ug; reducing conditions (catalog A06941-1) |
| Transfer | a Nitrocellulose membrane at 150mA for 50-90 minutes (catalog A06941-1) |
| Membrane | Nitrocellulose membrane (catalog A06941-1) |
| Blocking | 5% Non-fat Milk/ TBS for 1.5 hour at RT (catalog A06941-1) |
| Primary antibody | A06941-1 · 0.5 μg/mL (catalog A06941-1) |
| Primary incubation | overnight at 4°C (catalog A06941-1) |
| Secondary antibody | goat anti-rabbit IgG-HRP, 1:5000 (catalog A06941-1) |
| Secondary incubation | 1.5 hour at RT (catalog A06941-1) |
| Wash | TBS-0.1%Tween 3 times with 5 minutes each (catalog A06941-1) |
| Detection | ECL (catalog A06941-1) |
Section 2
What Is the Expected MAL Western Blot Band Size?
MAL is predicted at 16.7 kDa and observed at ~17 kDa; the cause of the small difference is not established by the supplied features.
| Band at ~17 kDa | Matches the empirical MAL band; the predicted mass is 16.7 kDa |
| Several bands at different positions | Isoforms A, B, C, and D are annotated, but their migration is unknown |
| Faint band near ~17 kDa | Recovery of this multi-pass membrane protein may be limited |
| No band in a membrane-poor lysate | MAL may have been lost during membrane protein extraction |
💡Expected MAL appearanceMAL has a predicted mass of 16.7 kDa and an empirical band at ~17 kDa; confirm band identity with a validated positive control and antibody specificity controls.
| Predicted MAL mass | Places the full-length sequence near 16.7 kDa; the empirical band is ~17 kDa |
| Splice isoform A | May differ in size from other isoforms; its mass is unspecified |
| Splice isoform B | May differ in size from other isoforms; its mass is unspecified |
| Splice isoform C | May differ in size from other isoforms; its mass is unspecified |
| Splice isoform D | May differ in size from other isoforms; its mass is unspecified |
| Situation | Likely cause | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| No band in lysate | Multi-pass membrane MAL may be poorly extracted | Check a membrane-enriched preparation and a validated positive control |
| Weak or no signal | Limited recovery of membrane-associated MAL | Check membrane protein extraction and sample loading |
| Multiple bands | Annotated splice isoforms or antibody cross-reactivity; their band positions are unestablished | Use isoform-specific or antibody specificity controls |
| Band higher than expected | Band identity is uncertain; no listed modification explains a higher band | Compare with the ~17 kDa control band and verify antibody specificity |
| Band lower than expected | A shorter isoform is possible, but its mass is unknown | Check isoform identity and compare with a validated positive control |
Experiment evidence
Western blot images showing MAL band
A06941-1 · MAL
← swipe / scroll for more images →
Real WB data behind the band-size expectations in this section.
Sample controls for MAL Western blot
🧪For positive controls for MAL in Western blot, you can use no HPA-supported tissue or cell sample from the supplied evidence.
Positive control: No high/medium HPA tissue identified
Negative control: Suggested KO / knockdown lysate
Loading controls: Run GAPDH, β-actin, and a total-protein stain alongside the samples.
⚠️Feasibility: As a multi-pass membrane protein, MAL may require effective membrane-protein extraction for a clear signal.
HPA tissue expression evidence for MAL
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No high/medium HPA tissues identified in the supplied evidence. | ||||
Lower expression tissues · IHC evidence, not confirmed WB-negative controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No lower-expression tissue rows available in the supplied evidence. | ||||
Section 3
Advanced MAL Western Blot Tips
Deeper troubleshooting and optimisation questions for MAL, answered from its protein features.
How should MAL 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.
How might MAL isoforms affect the band pattern?
Isoforms · UniProt lists isoforms A, B, C, and D. Relative to the canonical sequence, isoform B lacks residues 88–129, C lacks 32–87, and D lacks 32–129. These are UniProt coordinates. Check which isoforms the antibody can recognize before assigning additional bands; sequence differences alone do not establish their apparent masses.
Could a listed modification explain a shifted MAL band?
PTM · The supplied UniProt features list no modified residues or glycosylation sites. Do not assign a shifted band to a specific modification from these data. Feature presence or absence alone cannot establish why an observed band differs from its calculated mass.
Does this guide establish induction of MAL?
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.
What transfer method to use for MAL Western blot?
Transfer · The features do not specify a transfer method. MAL is a 153-residue, multi-pass membrane protein with a predicted mass of 16.7 kDa. Validate the chosen method for a small membrane protein by checking signal on the membrane and residual protein in the post-transfer gel.
How should blocking be optimized?
Blocking · Standard workflow guidance: follow the A06941-1 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.
How should MAL bands be quantified?
Quantitation · Define the band being measured consistently across samples. MAL has four listed isoforms with different sequences, so a total signal across several bands should not be treated as one isoform without evidence that the antibody recognizes each band.
Does MAL's observed band match its predicted mass?
Interpretation · The approximately 17 kDa observed band is close to the 16.7 kDa predicted mass of canonical MAL. This agreement supports the assignment, but apparent mass alone does not identify the protein.
Compare them with the approximately 17 kDa observed band and consider the listed isoforms and their missing sequence regions. MAL interacts with PLP1 and occurs in membranes and lipid rafts, but these features do not identify an unexpected band or prove a mass shift. Verify band identity before assigning it to MAL.
Compare them with the approximately 17 kDa observed band and consider the listed isoforms and their missing sequence regions. MAL interacts with PLP1 and occurs in membranes and lipid rafts, but these features do not identify an unexpected band or prove a mass shift. Verify band identity before assigning it to MAL.
Boster reagents
MAL 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-MAL Antibody Picoband®
Cat # A06941-1
The listed anti-MAL antibody, A06941-1, has a Western blot image showing an approximately 17 kDa band in human Jurkat, Raji, and HL-60 whole-cell lysates. The supplied evidence covers these tested samples; no independent validation is provided.
Which to pick: A06941-1 is the only listed option. Its reported human reactivity and Western blot image make it the documented choice for human samples, with the image specifically showing Jurkat, Raji, and HL-60 lysates under the stated conditions.
Source: BosterBio MAL gene-info card — filtered to Western-blot-capable antibodies; each card shows that product's actual WB validation figure.
References
- UniProt Consortium. UniProt entry P21145.
- Human Protein Atlas. MAL tissue expression.
- PMC2148211 — target-verified WB comparison
- PMC3644118 — target-verified WB comparison