This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
- Table of Contents
MRPL51 / Large ribosomal subunit protein mL51 · IHC design guide
Design Immunohistochemistry for MRPL51
Plan MRPL51 chromogenic IHC around cytoplasmic staining in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC) and mitochondrial localization (UniProt). The guide highlights high hepatocyte staining (HPA tissue IHC), an IHC dilution range of 1:100–1:300 (datasheet), and low consistency between staining and RNA expression (HPA tissue IHC).
Evidence assembled Oct 2026 · For research use; verify linked source records and product datasheet before use
MRPL51 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 | Cytoplasmic staining (HPA tissue IHC); mitochondrial location (UniProt) | |
| Staining pattern | Cytoplasmic staining in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Antigen retrieval | Citrate pH 6.0 HIER, 95–98 °C, 20 min (rule: cytoplasmic / membrane antigen) | |
| Positive control | Appendix+4 more · see all | |
| Negative control | Bone marrow+4 more · see all |
Important caveats
Reasons your staining may differ from the expected pattern.
| Fixation | Keep fixation consistent across sections (standard IHC practice; not target-specific) | |
| Caveat | Staining and RNA expression show low consistency (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Regulation | No expression regulator annotated (UniProt) | |
| Isoform / epitope | 0 isoforms annotated; mature chain aa 32–128 (UniProt) |
Section 1
Recommended MRPL51 IHC & IF Protocols
Compare the catalog antibody’s IHC-P protocol with one published MRPL51 IHC protocol using human lung adenocarcinoma tissue (PMC12557611).
| Sample | Paraffin-embedded human tonsil tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet A14477) |
| Fixation | Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A14477); 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 citrate buffer, pH 6.0, 20 min at 95–98 °C (standard rule: cytoplasmic / membrane 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-MRPL51, 1:100-1:300 (datasheet A14477) |
| 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 | MRPL51-positive staining in glandular cells of appendix (HPA tissue IHC: High). HPA tissue profile: Cytoplasmic expression in most tissues. No signal in the no-primary control. |
💡Decision noteStart with citrate pH 6.0 heat retrieval at 95–98 °C for 20 min (page retrieval recommendation).
Section 2
What Is the Expected MRPL51 Staining Pattern?
MRPL51 is a mitochondrial protein without a transmembrane segment (UniProt Q4U2R6 topology). In paraffin IHC, expect cytoplasmic staining in many tissues, including strong staining in liver hepatocytes and intestinal glandular cells (HPA: cytoplasmic expression in most tissues; High in hepatocytes and intestinal glandular cells). Treat the pattern as provisional: HPA rates the tissue IHC antibody Approved, but reports low agreement with RNA expression and pending external verification (HPA: tissue IHC reliability).
| Cytoplasmic staining in hepatocytes or intestinal glandular cells. | This fits HPA's High tissue IHC observations and UniProt's mitochondrial location (HPA: High in liver hepatocytes and intestinal glandular cells; UniProt Q4U2R6 location). Chromogenic IHC can establish a cytoplasmic pattern without resolving individual mitochondria; judge the stained cell population and background together (general IHC practice). |
| Predominantly nuclear or nucleolar staining, with little cytoplasmic signal. | A nuclear-dominant IHC result conflicts with the primary mitochondrial assignment (UniProt Q4U2R6 location; HPA: mitochondria supported by ICC-IF). HPA also reports an uncertain nucleolar ICC-IF location, so a nucleolar component alone is inconclusive; check controls and repeat before calling the pattern specific (HPA: nucleoli uncertain; general IHC practice). |
| Strong staining in bone marrow hematopoietic cells or smooth muscle cells. | These populations were Not detected in HPA tissue IHC, making strong staining a reason to investigate cross-reactivity or endogenous detection activity (HPA: Not detected in bone marrow hematopoietic cells and smooth muscle cells; general IHC practice). Their HPA results are comparison points, not proof that every specimen must be negative (HPA: Approved; pending external verification). |
| Broad, even color over cells, stroma, or slide background. | A distribution that ignores cell boundaries and the expected cytoplasmic pattern is difficult to score as MRPL51 (HPA: cytoplasmic expression in most tissues; general IHC practice). Compare a no-primary control, inspect washing and blocking, and assess the detection system before assigning cellular staining (general IHC practice). |
| No staining in liver hepatocytes despite a readable section. | HPA reports High hepatocyte staining, so absence warrants checking assay performance (HPA: High in liver hepatocytes). Inspect the positive control, antibody and detection reagents, retrieval conditions, and section integrity; one failed run cannot establish absent MRPL51 (general IHC practice). HPA's low antibody–RNA agreement also limits certainty about tissue expectations (HPA: reliability description). |
💡Expected MRPL51 appearanceCall a positive IHC result when liver hepatocytes or intestinal glandular cells show strong cytoplasmic staining with limited background; isolated nuclear staining or uniform color across HPA-negative cell populations is suspect (HPA: High in hepatocytes and intestinal glandular cells; HPA: cytoplasmic expression; HPA: selected cell populations Not detected; general IHC practice).
| Cell and tissue choice | HPA reports High staining in appendix, colon, duodenum, gallbladder, parathyroid and small-intestinal glandular cells, plus liver hepatocytes and breast adipocytes (HPA: tissue IHC). These are candidate positive comparators; HPA also describes low tissue RNA specificity and uncertain agreement between staining and RNA (HPA: RNA specificity; reliability description). |
| Antibody evidence | The listed antibody, HPA039923, is Approved for IHC, while the tissue profile remains pending external verification (HPA: antibody validation; tissue IHC reliability). Do not treat Approved as proof that every observed cell or compartment is specific (HPA: low agreement with RNA expression). |
| Topology and processing | UniProt places MRPL51 in mitochondria, annotates no transmembrane segment, and identifies residues 32–128 as the mature chain (UniProt Q4U2R6 location, topology and processing). These annotations support intracellular interpretation; they do not establish an epitope, retrieval requirement, or fixation sensitivity (UniProt Q4U2R6 annotations). |
| IF/ICC: where should signal appear? | Mainly in mitochondria; HPA marks that ICC-IF location supported and an additional nucleolar location uncertain (HPA: subcellular summary). This answers the localization question only; the paraffin IHC result must still be interpreted against its own tissue controls (HPA: tissue IHC; general IHC practice). |
| Situation | Likely cause | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Positive tissue stains weakly throughout. | The run may have inadequate detection or unsuitable retrieval; HPA does not report an MRPL51-specific fixation effect (general IHC practice; HPA: tissue IHC scope). | Verify the positive control and reagent sequence, then optimize retrieval and antibody concentration within the assay's validated range (general IHC practice). |
| No signal in the positive control or test section. | A missing or ineffective primary, detection reagent, or chromogen can produce an assay-wide blank result (general IHC practice). | Check reagent identity, expiration and application; repeat with a documented positive tissue such as liver hepatocytes (general IHC practice; HPA: High in liver hepatocytes). |
| Color appears in the no-primary control. | Endogenous detection activity or nonspecific detection chemistry can create signal without primary antibody (general IHC practice). | Review the detection method and use the appropriate endogenous-activity block and no-primary comparison before scoring cells (general IHC practice). |
| High staining appears in an HPA Not detected cell population. | Cross-reactivity, endogenous activity or specimen variation may explain the discrepancy; HPA tissue IHC is pending external verification (general IHC practice; HPA: reliability description). | Compare morphology and controls, assess another antibody if available, and report the disagreement rather than treating one HPA negative as absolute (general IHC practice; HPA: selected cells Not detected). |
| Nuclear staining dominates the section. | That distribution differs from the supported mitochondrial location; HPA's nucleolar ICC-IF finding is uncertain (UniProt Q4U2R6 location; HPA: subcellular locations). | Check no-primary staining and assess whether a reproducible cytoplasmic component tracks the expected positive cells before interpreting nuclear color (general IHC practice; HPA: High in selected cells). |
| Diffuse background obscures cell boundaries. | Nonspecific binding, incomplete washing or excessive detection signal can conceal cellular distribution (general IHC practice). | Review blocking, washes and detection strength, then score only sections where cytoplasmic signal is distinguishable from background (general IHC practice; HPA: cytoplasmic expression). |
Experiment evidence
IHC & IF images showing MRPL51 staining
A14477 · IHCImmunohistochemistry analysis of paraffin-embedded human tonsil tissue, using MRPL51 Antibody. The picture on the right is blocked with the
HPA · Cerebral cortexHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Cerebral cortex. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000111639-MRPL51/tissue/cerebral+cortex#imid_10486881
HPA · ColonHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Colon. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000111639-MRPL51/tissue/colon#imid_10486823
HPA · LiverHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Liver. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000111639-MRPL51/tissue/liver#imid_10486816
HPA · KidneyHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Kidney. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000111639-MRPL51/tissue/kidney#imid_10486825
HPA · ICC-IF A-431Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, A-431, antibody HPA039923; green = MRPL51, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
HPA · ICC-IF A-431Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, A-431, antibody HPA039923; green = MRPL51, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
← swipe / scroll for more images →
Real IHC / IF data behind the staining-pattern expectations in this section.
Sample controls for MRPL51 IHC & IF
🧪Run colon first; its glandular cells should stain strongly (HPA: High in colon glandular cells). Use bone marrow hematopoietic cells as a biological negative (HPA: Not detected); on the colon slide, treat cells without specific staining as internal negatives only after confirming their identity and signal against the controls.
Positive control tissue: Appendix (Glandular cells, HPA High)
Negative control tissue: Bone marrow (HPA Not detected)
ICC-IF cell lines (HPA subcellular resource): HPA ICC-IF images show MRPL51 in A-431, HeLa, U2OS, KOLF2.1J, with annotated localisation: Mitochondria (supported) (HPA subcellular).
Technical controls: Include a no-primary (secondary-only) control, an isotype control matched to the primary antibody’s host and immunoglobulin class, and a peptide-blocked antibody control (A14477 caption: peptide block shown in paraffin-section tonsil IHC). For chromogenic colon IHC, quench endogenous peroxidase before HRP detection and assess any residual background in the controls (standard IHC practice).
⚠️Feasibility: A target-specific fixation window and antigen-retrieval dependency are unreported in the supplied evidence; the selected A14477 paraffin-section tonsil caption does not state a fixative (A14477 caption). The evidence does not establish whether frozen sections or IF/ICC are easier; ICC-IF shows supported mitochondrial localization and uncertain nucleolar localization (HPA subcellular). In colon sections, endogenous peroxidase in inflammatory cells can complicate chromogenic scoring (standard IHC practice).
HPA tissue IHC evidence for MRPL51
Comprehensive Human Protein Atlas IHC scoring per tissue (reliability: Approved — Low consistency between antibody staining and RNA expression data. Pending external verification.). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appendix | Glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Breast | Adipocytes | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Colon | Glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Duodenum | Glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Gallbladder | Glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Undetected expression · recommended negative controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone marrow | Hematopoietic cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Cerebral cortex | Endothelial cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Hippocampus | Glial cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Ovary | Ovarian stroma cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Placenta | Decidual cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Section 3
Advanced MRPL51 IHC Tips
Troubleshoot MRPL51 staining in paraffin-section IHC by checking retrieval, cellular pattern, controls, and scoring; use IF as a separate localisation check.
How should I adjust retrieval when MRPL51 staining is weak in paraffin sections?
Start paraffin-section IHC with citrate pH 6.0 heat-induced retrieval at 95–98 °C for 20 min (page retrieval rule). Keep section thickness, cooling, and antibody incubation consistent while comparing retrieved and minimally retrieved sections (standard IHC practice). If staining remains weak, test a stronger retrieval condition on adjacent sections and judge signal against tissue damage and background (standard IHC practice). MRPL51 is mitochondrial and has no annotated transmembrane segment, so a cytoplasmic staining pattern is plausible, but neither fact establishes its retrieval sensitivity (UniProt Q4U2R6). Include the A14477 peptide-blocked tonsil comparison when assessing whether increased staining remains antibody dependent (A14477 tissue-IHC caption).
Can fixation explain inconsistent MRPL51 staining across paraffin specimens?
Target-specific MRPL51 fixation sensitivity is unknown: the A14477 paraffin tonsil caption does not state its fixative (A14477 tissue-IHC caption). Record fixative, time to fixation, fixation duration, and tissue thickness for each specimen before changing the staining method (standard IHC practice). When possible, compare adjacent specimens processed with the same retrieval, antibody incubation, and detection settings so fixation is the main variable (standard IHC practice). Poor morphology or uneven staining may signal a processing problem, but cannot identify an MRPL51-specific fixation effect on its own (standard IHC practice). Do not infer fixation tolerance from tissue staining patterns or mitochondrial localisation (HPA tissue IHC; UniProt Q4U2R6).
What subcellular pattern should I expect for MRPL51 in chromogenic IHC?
Look first for cytoplasmic staining, ideally with a granular distribution compatible with mitochondria (HPA tissue IHC; HPA subcellular; UniProt Q4U2R6). MRPL51 is a mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit component, and its principal mitochondrial location is supported by the subcellular record (UniProt Q4U2R6; HPA subcellular). A reported additional nucleolar location is uncertain, so isolated strong nuclear staining warrants closer control review (HPA subcellular). Chromogenic IHC cannot establish mitochondrial colocalisation from a brown granular pattern alone; inspect morphology and compare a validated mitochondrial marker on adjacent sections (standard IHC practice). Keep counterstaining consistent so small cytoplasmic deposits remain distinguishable from nuclei (standard IHC practice).
How should processing and epitope uncertainty shape MRPL51 antibody validation?
The record annotates a 128-aa precursor and a mature chain spanning residues 32–128, with no alternative isoforms annotated (UniProt Q4U2R6). It lists no glycosylation sites, modified residues, or transmembrane segment, but does not identify the catalog antibody's epitope (UniProt Q4U2R6; A14477 tissue-IHC caption). Ask for an epitope map before interpreting differences between processed specimens as loss of a particular sequence (standard antibody-validation practice). In paraffin tonsil, synthesized peptide blocking reduced the pictured staining, providing a useful comparison for that antibody and image (A14477 tissue-IHC caption). Peptide competition alone does not establish every stained cellular structure as MRPL51 (standard IHC practice).
How can IF help assess an ambiguous MRPL51 IHC pattern?
For a separate IF check, multiplex MRPL51 with a mitochondrial marker and a marker for the expected cell population, such as an epithelial marker in colon glandular cells (UniProt Q4U2R6; HPA tissue IHC; standard IF practice). Choose spectrally separated fluorophores and consider a far-red MRPL51 channel where tissue autofluorescence obscures shorter wavelengths (standard IF practice). Because MRPL51 has no annotated transmembrane segment, use permeabilisation for intracellular access, while recognising that its precise membrane-side accessibility is not specified (UniProt Q4U2R6; standard IF practice). Optimise detergent exposure against mitochondrial morphology using matched controls (standard IF practice). Interpret apparent overlap against single-colour controls and background, then return to the corresponding cytoplasmic IHC pattern (standard IF practice; HPA tissue IHC).
How do I distinguish MRPL51 signal from chromogenic background?
Compare the stained section with a no-primary control and inspect whether deposits follow viable cellular cytoplasm rather than folds or section edges (standard IHC practice). Include a peroxidase block before enzyme-based detection and use consistent DAB development across comparisons (standard IHC practice). If diffuse colour persists, titrate primary antibody and detection reagents separately, then reassess with matched counterstaining (standard IHC practice). The A14477 tonsil image includes synthesized peptide blocking, which can help identify antibody-dependent staining under that pictured condition (A14477 tissue-IHC caption). High staining is reported in several glandular populations, but tissue identity alone cannot establish specificity (HPA tissue IHC; standard IHC practice).
What scoring method makes MRPL51 IHC comparable across sections? ⚠ ANSWER MARKED FOR VERIFICATION
Define the cell population and viable tissue area before scoring, then apply identical image acquisition and DAB thresholds to every section (standard IHC practice). For cellular staining, report the percentage of positive cells and an H-score using intensity categories 0–3, giving a possible score of 0–300 (standard IHC practice). If spatial distribution matters, report positive-cell density per mm² of viable tissue as well (standard IHC practice). Normalise each measure to the relevant nucleated cell population or viable area, and score glandular cells separately from surrounding cells (standard IHC practice; HPA tissue IHC). Document background subtraction and blinded scoring rules before comparing specimens (standard IHC practice).
When is an MRPL51-positive IHC result biologically credible?
A credible result combines cytoplasmic staining compatible with mitochondrial distribution, preserved morphology, and low signal in matched controls (UniProt Q4U2R6; HPA subcellular; standard IHC practice). Colon glandular cells are reported as highly stained, whereas bone-marrow hematopoietic cells are reported as not detected; use these observations as context, not absolute pass criteria (HPA tissue IHC). Isolated nuclear staining needs scrutiny because the additional nucleolar localisation is uncertain (HPA subcellular). Discount staining confined to cut edges, necrotic regions, or areas with endogenous enzyme activity (standard IHC practice). Interpret differences cautiously because HPA rates its tissue staining Approved while reporting low consistency with RNA expression and pending external verification (HPA tissue IHC).
Boster reagents
Best MRPL51 / Large ribosomal subunit protein mL51 IHC Antibodies
A14477 has a human paraffin-section IHC image with peptide-blocked comparison (catalog image caption); IF is listed without an IF image (catalog applications; catalog IF images). Human and mouse reactivity is listed (catalog reactivity).
Real IHC data
Anti-MRP-L51 Antibody
Cat # A14477
A14477 is the only card and shows IHC on paraffin-embedded human tonsil tissue with a peptide-blocked comparison (catalog image caption). IF is listed as an application, and human and mouse reactivity is listed; no IF image is supplied (catalog applications; catalog reactivity; catalog IF images).
Which to pick: Choose A14477 for tissue IHC because its own image shows a paraffin-embedded human tonsil section; the fixative is unreported (catalog image caption). For IF/ICC, A14477 lists IF and a 1:50 IF dilution, but supplies no IF image or ICC validation (catalog applications; catalog IF dilution; catalog IF images). It is a rabbit polyclonal antibody with listed human and mouse reactivity, so mouse use should be verified in the intended assay (catalog host; catalog dilution_raw; catalog reactivity).
Each figure is that product's own IHC / IF validation image from its datasheet.
References
- UniProt Consortium. UniProt entry Q4U2R6 (RM51_HUMAN, Large ribosomal subunit protein mL51).
- Human Protein Atlas. MRPL51 tissue IHC expression (reliability: Approved).
- Human Protein Atlas. MRPL51 subcellular location (ICC-IF): Mainly localized to the mitochondria. In addition localized to the nucleoli..
- Human Protein Atlas. MRPL51 antibody validation summary (1 antibodies).
- MRPL51 expression is associated with poor prognosis and regulates lung adenocarcinoma progression via neurotensin. Journal of thoracic disease 2025 — PMC12557611.
- MRPL51 is a downstream target of FOXM1 in promoting the malignant behaviors of lung adenocarcinoma. Oncology letters 2023 — PMC10265367.
- PubMed PMID:11402041 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:11042152 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:15489334 — UniProt-cited evidence.
Immunohistochemistry protocol sheet for MRPL51 (Large ribosomal subunit protein mL51). Expected localisation Cytoplasmic staining (HPA tissue IHC); mitochondrial location (UniProt). Antigen retrieval: Citrate pH 6.0 HIER, 95–98 °C, 20 min (rule: cytoplasmic / membrane antigen). Validated IHC antibody: A14477 at 1:100-1:300 (the product's own IHC validation image is shown). Controls (HPA): positive Appendix (Glandular cells); negative Bone marrow. IHC-P workflow on paraffin sections; fixative unspecified. Protocol steps: 1. Sample: Paraffin-embedded human tonsil tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet A14477); 2. Fixation: Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A14477); 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 citrate buffer, pH 6.0 , 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-MRPL51, 1:100-1:300 (datasheet A14477); 9. Primary incubation: Overnight at 4 °C (standard). Watch for: Fixation: Keep fixation consistent across sections (standard IHC practice; not target-specific); Caveat: Staining and RNA expression show low consistency (HPA tissue IHC); Isoform / epitope: 0 isoforms annotated; mature chain aa 32–128 (UniProt); Regulation: No expression regulator annotated (UniProt). Evidence: UniProt Q4U2R6, HPA tissue IHC · Approved, HPA ICC-IF · Mainly localized to the mitochondria. In addition localized to the…, Datasheet A14477, PMC12557611. QR code links to https://www.bosterbio.com/bosterbio-gene-info-cards/MRPL51/immunohistochemistry-ihc-guide.