This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
- Table of Contents
TAOK2 / Serine/threonine-protein kinase TAO2 · IHC design guide
Design Immunohistochemistry for TAOK2
Plan TAOK2 chromogenic IHC in paraffin sections using the catalog antibody's 2–5 μg/ml range (datasheet A07466-1). Interpret the generally low cytoplasmic staining alongside medium signals in selected cell populations and the reported low antibody–RNA consistency (HPA tissue IHC).
Evidence assembled Oct 2026 · For research use; verify linked source records and product datasheet before use
TAOK2 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 | Low cytoplasmic staining in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Staining pattern | Mostly low cytoplasmic staining; medium in colon glands (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Antigen retrieval | EDTA pH 8.0 HIER, heat-mediated (datasheet A07466-1) | |
| Positive control | Cerebral cortex+4 more · see all | |
| Negative control | Adipose tissue+4 more · see all |
Important caveats
Reasons your staining may differ from the expected pattern.
| Fixation | Matched tissue-IHC evidence does not establish the fixation claim. Validate the specimen-specific method before use. (selected-SKU IHC image A07466-1) | |
| Caveat | Antibody staining has low consistency with RNA expression (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Regulation | Higher expression in testis and brain (UniProt) | |
| Isoform / epitope | 4 isoforms; C-terminal truncation may change epitope coverage (UniProt) |
Section 1
Recommended TAOK2 IHC & IF Protocols
The catalog antibody uses paraffin-section IHC with EDTA pH 8.0 retrieval (datasheet A07466-1); the published mouse-brain protocol uses frozen sections and chromogenic detection (PMC4011144).
| Sample | Paraffin-embedded human thyroid cancer tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet A07466-1) |
| Fixation | Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A07466-1); verify before use. |
| Sectioning | 4–5 µm sections on charged slides (standard) |
| Deparaffinisation | Xylene, graded ethanol series to water (standard) |
| Antigen retrieval | Heat retrieval: EDTA pH 8.0 (datasheet A07466-1); 20 min, 95–100 °C (standard) |
| Peroxidase block | 3% H2O2, 10 min, room temperature (standard) |
| Blocking | 10% goat serum (datasheet A07466-1) |
| Primary antibody | Rabbit anti-TAOK2, 2-5 μg/ml (datasheet A07466-1) |
| Primary incubation | Overnight at 4 °C (datasheet A07466-1) |
| Detection | HRP-conjugated secondary, DAB chromogen (datasheet A07466-1) |
| Counterstain | Hematoxylin, blue, dehydrate and mount (standard) |
| Expected result | TAOK2-positive staining in endothelial cells of cerebral cortex (HPA tissue IHC: Medium). HPA tissue profile: Low cytoplasmic expression in most tissues. No signal in the no-primary control. |
💡Decision noteStart with heat-mediated EDTA pH 8.0 retrieval for paraffin sections (datasheet A07466-1). The published frozen-section protocol specifies no retrieval step (PMC4011144).
Section 2
What Is the Expected TAOK2 Staining Pattern?
TAOK2 is expected to show low cytoplasmic staining in most tissues, with medium staining in selected endothelial, glandular, hepatocyte, and pancreatic endocrine cells (HPA tissue IHC; Approved, low consistency with RNA). Cytoplasmic vesicle membranes and the cytoskeleton are documented locations; TAOK2 has 5 transmembrane segments, and nuclear localization depends on isoform and processing (UniProt Q9UL54 topology/localization).
| Weak cytoplasmic staining across a section, with clearer signal in colon or duodenal glandular cells. | This fits the reported low cytoplasmic profile in most tissues and medium staining in these glandular cells (HPA tissue IHC). Compare the expected cells within the section; a uniformly dark slide would obscure this distinction. The HPA tissue assessment is Approved but has low consistency with RNA expression, so intensity alone does not establish specificity (HPA tissue IHC). |
| Medium cytoplasmic staining in cortical endothelial cells, hepatocytes, or pancreatic endocrine cells. | These are reported positive cell populations and useful places to assess whether staining follows tissue architecture (HPA tissue IHC). Interpret the named cell type rather than treating every cell in the organ as positive. Confirm its identity by morphology and counterstain as a general IHC practice. |
| Staining is confined to extracellular material or a glandular lumen, with no matching cellular pattern. | That distribution does not match the reported low cytoplasmic tissue pattern (HPA tissue IHC) or the documented vesicle, cytoskeletal, and conditional nuclear locations (UniProt Q9UL54 localization). Treat it as suspect; check section morphology and a no-primary control before scoring cellular TAOK2. |
| Strong staining appears in adipocytes or bone-marrow hematopoietic cells. | Those cell populations were not detected in the cited tissue survey (HPA tissue IHC). Cross-reactivity or endogenous detection activity is possible, especially if staining is widespread or also appears without primary antibody. Recheck cell identity and controls; a survey-level absence is not proof that every specimen must be negative. |
| A known-positive cell population has no visible signal, or the entire section has diffuse color. | Absent signal in colon glandular cells or hepatocytes conflicts with their reported medium staining; diffuse color prevents compartment scoring (HPA tissue IHC). Before interpreting biology, inspect tissue preservation, retrieval and detection controls as general IHC practice. The supplied sources do not establish TAOK2-specific fixation sensitivity. |
💡Expected TAOK2 appearanceA convincing chromogenic positive shows predominantly low cytoplasmic signal, reaching medium in the named HPA-positive cells; uniform extracellular, luminal, or no-primary color is suspect (HPA tissue IHC; general IHC practice).
| Tissue and cell selection | Colon or duodenal glandular cells, hepatocytes, cortical endothelial cells, and pancreatic endocrine cells have reported medium staining; adipocytes and bone-marrow hematopoietic cells were not detected (HPA tissue IHC). Score the named cells, since an organ-wide label can conceal mixed populations. |
| Antibody evidence | The listed antibody HPA010650 is IHC Approved, and its ICC evidence is Supported (HPA antibody validation). The tissue assessment also reports low consistency between staining and RNA expression (HPA tissue IHC). Use independent controls when a result departs from the reported pattern; this record does not claim Enhanced IHC validation. |
| Isoform and epitope location | Full-length phosphorylated isoform 1 associates with perinuclear microtubule cables; a C-terminally truncated form can enter the nucleus, while full-length isoform 1 and isoform 2 are excluded (UniProt Q9UL54 localization). The antibody epitope is unspecified, so nuclear versus cytoplasmic recognition cannot be predicted from this record. |
| Membrane topology and retrieval | TAOK2 has 5 transmembrane segments near its C-terminal region (UniProt Q9UL54 topology). This does not identify the recognized epitope or an optimal antigen-retrieval condition. Retrieval comparisons are a general IHC optimization step; no TAOK2-specific fixation or retrieval effect is established here. |
| Situation | Likely cause | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| No signal in colon or duodenal glandular cells. | Possible assay failure; these cells show medium staining in the HPA survey (HPA tissue IHC). | Check section quality, retrieval, primary-antibody application, and detection controls as general IHC practice. Avoid assigning a TAOK2-specific fixation cause without evidence. |
| Every cell is uniformly brown, including cells expected to be negative. | Background or endogenous enzyme activity may obscure the reported cell pattern (HPA tissue IHC; general IHC practice). | Inspect a no-primary control; if enzyme detection is used, assess the relevant endogenous-activity block. Re-evaluate the primary concentration using the assay's documented conditions. |
| Color lies mainly in lumens, extracellular debris, or tissue edges. | The location conflicts with the reported cytoplasmic tissue profile (HPA tissue IHC). | Check morphology and no-primary staining, then score intact cells separately from deposits and edge effects (general IHC practice). |
| Only intense nuclear staining is seen throughout an IHC section. | Nuclear TAOK2 is possible for a truncated isoform, but universal nuclear dominance is not the reported tissue IHC pattern (UniProt Q9UL54 localization; HPA tissue IHC). | Check controls and cell identity; report nuclear staining separately. Do not infer which isoform was detected while the antibody epitope is unknown. |
| Pancreatic endocrine cells appear negative while surrounding tissue stains. | The result differs from the reported medium endocrine-cell signal (HPA tissue IHC); staining of other cells alone does not validate the expected pattern. | Confirm endocrine-cell identity by morphology or an appropriate adjacent marker, then review positive and no-primary controls (general IHC practice). |
| IF/ICC Q&A: Should nucleoplasmic signal be dismissed as an IHC false positive? | HPA reports supported nucleoplasmic and nucleolar IF locations, with uncertain cytosolic IF localization; UniProt describes conditional nuclear localization (HPA subcellular; UniProt Q9UL54). | No. Interpret IF/ICC on its own guide page and with its own controls. Do not transfer an IF compartment call directly to chromogenic tissue IHC (HPA subcellular; HPA tissue IHC). |
Experiment evidence
IHC & IF images showing TAOK2 staining
A07466-1 · IHCIHC analysis of TAOK2 using anti-TAOK2 antibody (A07466-1). TAOK2 was detected in a paraffin-embedded section of human thyroid cancer tissue
A07466-1 · IHCIHC analysis of TAOK2 using anti-TAOK2 antibody (A07466-1). TAOK2 was detected in a paraffin-embedded section of human testis tissue. Heat m
A07466-1 · IFIF analysis of TAOK2 using anti-TAOK2 antibody (A07466-1). TAOK2 was detected in a paraffin-embedded section of human testis tissue. Heat me
HPA · Cerebral cortexHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Cerebral cortex. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000149930-TAOK2/tissue/cerebral+cortex#imid_2957412
HPA · ColonHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Colon. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000149930-TAOK2/tissue/colon#imid_2957346
HPA · LiverHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Liver. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000149930-TAOK2/tissue/liver#imid_2957347
HPA · KidneyHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Kidney. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000149930-TAOK2/tissue/kidney#imid_2957340
HPA · ICC-IF HEK293Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, HEK293, antibody HPA010650; green = TAOK2, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
HPA · ICC-IF HEK293Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, HEK293, antibody HPA010650; green = TAOK2, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
← swipe / scroll for more images →
Real IHC / IF data behind the staining-pattern expectations in this section.
Sample controls for TAOK2 IHC & IF
🧪Run colon first and look for staining in glandular cells (Medium; HPA: colon glandular cells). Use adipose tissue as a negative comparator, focusing on adipocytes (HPA: adipocytes Not detected); on the colon slide, compare glandular staining with adjacent nonglandular cells as a background reference, without assuming those cells are TAOK2-negative.
Positive control tissue: Cerebral cortex (Endothelial cells, HPA Medium)
Negative control tissue: Adipose tissue (HPA Not detected)
ICC-IF cell lines (HPA subcellular resource): HPA ICC-IF images show TAOK2 in HEK293, U-251MG, U2OS, with annotated localisation: Nucleoplasm (supported), Cytosol (uncertain) (HPA subcellular).
Technical controls: Include a no-primary (secondary-only) slide, a matched nonimmune rabbit IgG control (caption: rabbit primary antibody), and a TAOK2 knockout sample if available as a biological negative. Quench endogenous peroxidase and inspect background in colon sections before interpreting DAB signal (caption: HRP/DAB detection).
⚠️Feasibility: A target-specific fixation window and fixation effect are unreported, and the selected A07466-1 tissue-IHC caption does not state a fixative (caption: fixative not stated). The demonstrated paraffin-section workflow uses heat retrieval in EDTA at pH 8.0, followed by 2 μg/ml primary antibody overnight at 4°C (caption: A07466-1 tissue IHC); whether frozen sections or IF are easier is unreported, although ICC-IF images exist for HEK293, U-251MG and U2OS (HPA: subcellular images). In colon, assess staining within glandular cells separately from luminal mucus or debris, which can complicate interpretation (HPA: colon glandular cells Medium).
HPA tissue IHC evidence for TAOK2
Comprehensive Human Protein Atlas IHC scoring per tissue (reliability: Approved — Low 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerebral cortex | Endothelial cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Colon | Glandular cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Duodenum | Glandular cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Liver | Hepatocytes | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Pancreas | Pancreatic endocrine cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Undetected expression · recommended negative controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adipose tissue | Adipocytes | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Bone marrow | Hematopoietic cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Caudate | Glial cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Cerebellum | Cells in granular layer | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Epididymis | Glandular cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Section 3
Advanced TAOK2 IHC Tips
Troubleshoot TAOK2 staining in paraffin sections with the antibody’s documented retrieval conditions and compartment-aware controls.
What should I change when TAOK2 staining is weak after antigen retrieval?
Start with heat-mediated retrieval in EDTA at pH 8.0 for paraffin sections (datasheet A07466-1). The documented tissue image used this condition, followed by 10% goat serum blocking and 2 μg/ml primary antibody overnight at 4°C (datasheet A07466-1). Check section adhesion, heating consistency, and whether the positive control stains before increasing primary concentration (standard IHC practice). If staining remains weak, compare a second retrieval buffer on matched sections as a fallback, recording heating and cooling conditions for each run (standard IHC practice). Judge any improvement by cellular localisation and background together, rather than signal intensity alone (standard IHC practice).
How can I assess whether fixation is limiting TAOK2 detection?
Target-specific fixation sensitivity is unknown: the selected paraffin-section caption does not state a fixative (datasheet A07466-1). Record each specimen’s fixative, fixation interval, and processing history, then compare similarly processed sections under the same EDTA pH 8.0 retrieval and antibody conditions (datasheet A07466-1; standard IHC practice). Include a previously staining section in the same run to distinguish a specimen issue from a staining failure (standard IHC practice). If fixation histories differ, interpret intensity differences cautiously and check tissue morphology before scoring (standard IHC practice). Neither tissue staining patterns nor protein topology establishes a TAOK2-specific fixation effect here (HPA tissue IHC; UniProt Q9UL54 topology).
Which compartments should I examine when TAOK2 staining looks unexpected?
Assess cytoplasmic and perinuclear staining first: tissue IHC is described as low cytoplasmic expression in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC), and active full-length isoform 1 associates with perinuclear microtubule cables (UniProt Q9UL54 localisation). Nuclear staining needs a separate check because a C-terminally truncated isoform 1 form can enter the nucleus, whereas full-length isoform 1 and isoform 2 are excluded (UniProt Q9UL54 localisation). The subcellular IF record also reports supported nucleoplasm and nucleoli localisation (HPA subcellular). Compare nuclear and cytoplasmic signal within intact cells, and verify any dominant nuclear IHC pattern against a negative control and antibody epitope information (standard IHC practice).
Could the antibody epitope explain different TAOK2 staining patterns?
Map the antibody’s documented immunogen or epitope before assigning an IHC pattern to a TAOK2 isoform (standard IHC practice). TAOK2 has 4 annotated isoforms, a kinase domain at residues 28–281, and 5 transmembrane segments near its C terminus (UniProt Q9UL54 isoforms, domains and topology). A C-terminally truncated isoform 1 form can localise to the nucleus, while full-length isoform 1 is excluded from it (UniProt Q9UL54 localisation). Thus, epitope position could affect which forms are detected, but the supplied caption does not identify this antibody’s epitope (datasheet A07466-1). Confirm isoform claims with documented epitope coverage and orthogonal evidence before reporting isoform-specific staining (standard IHC practice).
How should I investigate TAOK2 localisation with multiplex immunofluorescence?
Plan IF/ICC as a separate validation experiment; the selected antibody evidence documents paraffin-section chromogenic IHC, with EDTA pH 8.0 retrieval, rather than an IF protocol (datasheet A07466-1). Multiplex TAOK2 with a marker for the expected cell type and a nuclear counterstain so that compartment and cell identity can be assessed together (standard IF practice). Select fluorophores after measuring tissue autofluorescence in unstained controls, and separate strong background from the TAOK2 detection channel (standard IF practice). Because TAOK2 includes 5 transmembrane segments, choose and validate permeabilisation according to the antibody epitope’s accessible membrane side; that side is not supplied here (UniProt Q9UL54 topology; standard IF practice).
How do I reduce diffuse DAB or nuclear background?
Run a no-primary control and inspect whether colour follows tissue edges, damaged areas, or endogenous enzyme activity before changing the antibody (standard IHC practice). The documented paraffin-section workflow used 10% goat serum blocking, 2 μg/ml primary antibody overnight at 4°C, and a peroxidase-conjugated secondary for 30 minutes at 37°C (datasheet A07466-1). Peroxidase blocking, thorough washes, and controlled DAB development are general chromogenic IHC measures (standard IHC practice). Compare background after one change at a time while keeping retrieval at EDTA pH 8.0 (datasheet A07466-1). Do not dismiss all nuclear signal as background, because nuclear localisation is reported for a truncated isoform 1 form (UniProt Q9UL54 localisation).
How should I score TAOK2 across paraffin sections? ⚠ ANSWER MARKED FOR VERIFICATION
Define the cell population and compartment before scoring, then use an H-score for intensity and proportion, or report the percentage of positive cells with a fixed threshold (standard IHC practice). An H-score combines 0–3 intensity grades with the percentage of cells at each grade, yielding 0–300 (standard IHC practice). Normalise counts to the number of eligible intact cells, or positive-cell density to analysed tissue area in mm², and keep section selection consistent (standard IHC practice). Score nuclear and cytoplasmic signal separately because reported TAOK2 localisation varies by protein form (UniProt Q9UL54 localisation). Use matched controls and cautious thresholds: HPA labels its tissue IHC approved but reports low consistency with RNA expression (HPA tissue IHC).
What distinguishes plausible TAOK2 staining from artefact?
A plausible result has reproducible cellular staining, acceptable no-primary background, and a compartment pattern assessed against the antibody’s epitope coverage (standard IHC practice). Cytoplasmic staining is broadly compatible with the tissue IHC profile, while a dominant nuclear pattern requires scrutiny because nuclear access differs among TAOK2 forms (HPA tissue IHC; UniProt Q9UL54 localisation). Compare cell identity with the tissue context: HPA reports medium staining in colon glandular cells but no detection in adipocytes (HPA tissue IHC). Exclude section-edge colour, necrotic areas, and endogenous peroxidase signal with morphology and controls before calling cells positive (standard IHC practice). The catalog image demonstrates staining in paraffin-embedded human thyroid cancer tissue, without establishing universal tumour specificity (datasheet A07466-1).
Boster reagents
Best TAOK2 / Serine/threonine-protein kinase TAO2 IHC Antibodies
A07466-1 has IHC images from human paraffin thyroid cancer and testis, plus an IF image from human paraffin testis (catalog image captions).
Real IHC data
Anti-TAOK2 Antibody ®
Cat # A07466-1
A07466-1 has IHC images from human paraffin thyroid cancer and testis (catalog IHC image captions). The same SKU has an IF image from human paraffin testis and lists Human, Mouse, and Rat reactivity (catalog IF image caption; catalog reactivity).
Which to pick: For tissue IHC, choose A07466-1: its own captions document human paraffin sections with EDTA pH 8 retrieval and 2 μg/ml primary antibody; the fixative is unreported (A07466-1 IHC image captions). For IF, A07466-1 has human paraffin testis data at 5 μg/ml; ICC validation is unreported (A07466-1 IF image caption; catalog applications). For cross-species work, A07466-1 lists Human, Mouse, and Rat reactivity, while the supplied IHC and IF images show human tissue (catalog reactivity; A07466-1 image captions).
Each figure is that product's own IHC / IF validation image from its datasheet.
References
- UniProt Consortium. UniProt entry Q9UL54 (TAOK2_HUMAN, Serine/threonine-protein kinase TAO2).
- Human Protein Atlas. TAOK2 tissue IHC expression (reliability: Approved).
- Human Protein Atlas. TAOK2 subcellular location (ICC-IF): Mainly localized to the nucleoplasm and cytosol. In addition localized to the nucleoli..
- Human Protein Atlas. TAOK2 antibody validation summary (1 antibodies).
- The autism susceptibility kinase, TAOK2, phosphorylates eEF2 and modulates translation. Science advances 2024 — PMC11014455.
- Taok2 controls behavioral response to ethanol in mice. Genes, brain, and behavior 2013 — PMC4011144.
- PubMed PMID:10660600 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:13679851 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:10048485 — UniProt-cited evidence.
Immunohistochemistry protocol sheet for TAOK2 (Serine/threonine-protein kinase TAO2). Expected localisation Low cytoplasmic staining in most tissues (HPA tissue IHC). Antigen retrieval: EDTA pH 8.0 HIER, heat-mediated (datasheet A07466-1). Validated IHC antibody: A07466-1 at 2-5 μg/ml (the product's own IHC validation image is shown). Controls (HPA): positive Cerebral cortex (Endothelial cells); negative Adipose tissue. IHC-P workflow on paraffin sections; fixative unspecified. Protocol steps: 1. Sample: Paraffin-embedded human thyroid cancer tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet A07466-1); 2. Fixation: Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A07466-1); 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 retrieval: EDTA pH 8.0 (datasheet A07466-1); 20 min, 95–100 °C (standard); 6. Peroxidase block: 3% H2O2, 10 min , room temperature (standard); 7. Blocking: 10% goat serum (datasheet A07466-1); 8. Primary antibody: Rabbit anti-TAOK2, 2-5 μg/ml (datasheet A07466-1); 9. Primary incubation: Overnight at 4 °C (datasheet A07466-1). Watch for: Fixation: Matched tissue-IHC evidence does not establish the fixation claim. Validate the specimen-specific method before use. (selected-SKU IHC image A07466-1); Caveat: Antibody staining has low consistency with RNA expression (HPA tissue IHC); Isoform / epitope: 4 isoforms; C-terminal truncation may change epitope coverage (UniProt); Regulation: Higher expression in testis and brain (UniProt). Evidence: UniProt Q9UL54, HPA tissue IHC · Approved, HPA ICC-IF · Mainly localized to the nucleoplasm and cytosol. In addition…, Datasheet A07466-1, PMC4011144. QR code links to https://www.bosterbio.com/bosterbio-gene-info-cards/TAOK2/immunohistochemistry-ihc-guide.