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ZCCHC17 / Zinc finger CCHC domain-containing protein 17 · IHC design guide
Design Immunohistochemistry for ZCCHC17
Plan chromogenic IHC on paraffin sections with the catalog antibody at 1:100–1:300 (datasheet). Compare staining with the general nuclear tissue pattern (HPA tissue IHC), while treating nucleolar localisation as a molecular expectation (UniProt).
Evidence assembled Oct 2026 · For research use; verify linked source records and product datasheet before use
ZCCHC17 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 | General nuclear staining (HPA tissue IHC); nucleolar location (UniProt) | |
| Staining pattern | Nuclear staining across tissue cell types (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Antigen retrieval | Tris-EDTA pH 9.0 HIER, 95–98 °C, 20 min (rule: nuclear antigen) | |
| Positive control | Adrenal gland+4 more · see all | |
| Negative control | None in HPA (detected in all 45 tissues); use no-primary + isotype controls |
Important caveats
Reasons your staining may differ from the expected pattern.
| Fixation | Keep fixation consistent across paraffin sections (standard IHC practice; not target-specific) | |
| Caveat | Staining–RNA consistency is medium (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Regulation | Expression regulation is not established (UniProt; HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Isoform / epitope | 3 isoforms; epitope coverage is unknown (UniProt; datasheet) |
Section 1
Recommended ZCCHC17 IHC & IF Protocols
The catalog antibody’s IHC-P protocol (datasheet) is accompanied by one published ZCCHC17 IHC protocol using paraffin-embedded hepatocellular carcinoma tissue (PMC8770814).
| Sample | Paraffin-embedded human breast carcinoma tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet A12008) |
| Fixation | Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A12008); 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-ZCCHC17, 1:100 - 1:300 (datasheet A12008) |
| 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 | ZCCHC17-positive staining in glandular cells of adrenal gland (HPA tissue IHC: High). HPA tissue profile: General nuclear expression. No signal in the no-primary control. |
💡Decision noteStart with Tris-EDTA pH 9.0 HIER at 95–98 °C for 20 min (page retrieval rule); the published protocol also uses EDTA pH 9.0 (PMC8770814).
Section 2
What Is the Expected ZCCHC17 Staining Pattern?
ZCCHC17 is assigned to the nucleus and nucleolus, with no transmembrane segment (UniProt Q9NP64). In paraffin section IHC, expect predominantly nuclear staining in cells reported as High by HPA, including adrenal glandular cells, bronchial respiratory epithelial cells and cerebellar Purkinje cells (HPA tissue IHC). HPA describes general nuclear expression, but its Approved IHC assessment has medium consistency with RNA data and awaits external verification (HPA tissue IHC).
| Nuclear staining is visible in adrenal glandular cells or bronchial respiratory epithelial cells. | This matches two reported High cell populations (HPA tissue IHC) and the general nuclear pattern (HPA tissue IHC). A nucleolar component is plausible because UniProt assigns ZCCHC17 to the nucleolus (UniProt Q9NP64); HPA's tissue summary does not establish nucleolar resolution. |
| Staining is predominantly cytoplasmic or outlines the plasma membrane. | That distribution conflicts with the nuclear and nucleolar assignment and the absence of a transmembrane segment (UniProt Q9NP64). Treat it as suspect; compare the nuclear pattern and a negative reagent control before interpreting it as ZCCHC17 (general IHC practice). |
| Strong staining occurs mainly in cells outside the reported High population. | Unexpected cell staining warrants a cross-reactivity or endogenous detection activity check (general IHC practice). The HPA list describes observed High populations, not an exclusive map of expressing cells; an unlisted cell type alone cannot establish a false positive (HPA tissue IHC). |
| Color is spread across tissue, including spaces between cells, without clear nuclear boundaries. | This is background rather than a convincing version of the reported nuclear pattern (HPA tissue IHC). Compare a no-primary control and inspect wash, blocking and detection steps to locate nonspecific color (general IHC practice). |
| No nuclear staining appears in an HPA-reported High population. | Absence of signal in, for example, cerebellar Purkinje cells contradicts the reported High observation (HPA tissue IHC). Check tissue identity, primary antibody and detection controls before making a biological call (general IHC practice); HPA rates the IHC evidence Approved with medium RNA agreement and pending external verification (HPA tissue IHC). |
💡Expected ZCCHC17 appearanceA convincing positive is clear nuclear staining in an HPA-reported High cell population, potentially nucleolar by UniProt assignment; diffuse extranuclear color is suspect (HPA tissue IHC; UniProt Q9NP64; general IHC practice).
| Cell and tissue context | HPA reports High staining in several cell populations, including caudate neurons, cerebral cortical glia and cervical glandular cells (HPA tissue IHC). Heart cardiomyocytes and adipose tissue adipocytes are listed Low (HPA tissue IHC). Breast adipocytes are listed High, so adipocyte intensity should be judged in its stated tissue context (HPA tissue IHC). |
| Localization and topology | UniProt assigns ZCCHC17 to nucleus and nucleolus and reports no transmembrane segment (UniProt Q9NP64). Use the nuclear compartment to assess a positive; a membrane pattern lacks support from the supplied localization record. HPA independently summarizes tissue IHC as general nuclear expression (HPA tissue IHC). |
| Antibody evidence | The listed HPA053727 rabbit polyclonal antibody has Approved IHC status, while the tissue assessment reports medium agreement with RNA and pending external verification (HPA antibodies; HPA tissue IHC). That supports use of the observed pattern as a guide, with controls for any discordant slide; no stronger validation category is supplied. |
| Isoforms and epitope knowledge | UniProt lists 3 isoforms and a single annotated chain spanning residues 1–241 (UniProt Q9NP64). The supplied records give no antibody epitope or isoform coverage, so a difference between specimens cannot be assigned to an isoform from staining alone. |
| IF/ICC Q: Is the nucleolar pattern confirmed by cell images? | A: No ICC-IF image cell lines or HPA main subcellular location are supplied (HPA subcellular). Nucleolar localization comes from UniProt Q9NP64. Assess IF/ICC on its own guide page; this IHC tissue pattern does not supply an IF/ICC protocol or image-based confirmation. |
| Situation | Likely cause | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| High-background slide obscures nuclei. | Nonspecific detection, inadequate blocking or residual reagent may produce diffuse color (general IHC practice). | Run a no-primary control; review blocking, washes and chromogen development, then judge whether discrete nuclear staining remains (general IHC practice; HPA tissue IHC: general nuclear expression). |
| Only cytoplasm or cell borders stain. | The pattern disagrees with nuclear and nucleolar localization and no transmembrane segment (UniProt Q9NP64). | Check the no-primary control and tissue morphology; require a reproducible nuclear signal in a reported High cell population before assigning ZCCHC17 (general IHC practice; HPA tissue IHC). |
| No signal in a reported High cell population. | A failed primary or detection step can mimic absence of expression (general IHC practice); HPA's High call is an observation, not a guarantee for every section (HPA tissue IHC). | Confirm tissue and cell identity, then verify primary incubation, detection reagents and antigen retrieval using routine IHC controls (general IHC practice). No target-specific retrieval or fixation sensitivity is supplied. |
| Unexpected cell population stains strongly. | Cross-reactivity or endogenous detection activity is possible (general IHC practice); HPA's positive list is not exhaustive (HPA tissue IHC). | Compare no-primary and appropriate detection controls, then assess whether the signal is nuclear and reproducible (general IHC practice; HPA tissue IHC: general nuclear expression). |
| Adipocytes show different intensity across tissues. | HPA lists breast adipocytes as High and adipose tissue adipocytes as Low (HPA tissue IHC). | Record tissue context alongside cell type; do not score both adipocyte populations against a single expected intensity (HPA tissue IHC). |
| A faint nuclear signal is difficult to score. | The supplied HPA assessment has medium consistency with RNA data and awaits external verification (HPA tissue IHC); a faint signal alone is inconclusive (general IHC practice). | Compare same-run controls, nuclear boundaries and reported High versus Low cell populations before assigning a positive score (general IHC practice; HPA tissue IHC). |
Experiment evidence
IHC & IF images showing ZCCHC17 staining
A12008 · IHCImmunohistochemistry analysis of paraffin-embedded human breast carcinoma tissue, using ZCCHC17 Antibody. The picture on the right is blocke
HPA · Cerebral cortexHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Cerebral cortex. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000121766-ZCCHC17/tissue/cerebral+cortex#imid_20249705
HPA · ColonHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Colon. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000121766-ZCCHC17/tissue/colon#imid_20249615
HPA · LiverHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Liver. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000121766-ZCCHC17/tissue/liver#imid_20249632
HPA · KidneyHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Kidney. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000121766-ZCCHC17/tissue/kidney#imid_20249617
← swipe / scroll for more images →
Real IHC / IF data behind the staining-pattern expectations in this section.
Sample controls for ZCCHC17 IHC & IF
🧪Run adrenal gland first and look for staining in glandular cells (HPA: High in adrenal gland glandular cells). HPA detects ZCCHC17 in all 45 scored tissues and lists no negative tissue, so use no-primary and isotype controls as the negatives (HPA: no negative rows); on the positive slide, cells without specific nuclear or nucleolar signal should retain only counterstain (UniProt Q9NP64: nucleus, nucleolus).
Positive control tissue: Adrenal gland (Glandular cells, HPA High)
Negative control tissue: None in HPA: ZCCHC17 is detected in all 45 scored tissues. Use a no-primary (secondary-only) and an isotype control instead.
ICC-IF cell lines (HPA subcellular resource): HPA carries no ICC-IF cell line for ZCCHC17; derive a cell-line control from the positive tissue's cell type (Glandular cells) and confirm it by RNA or western blot first.
Technical controls: Include a no-primary, secondary-only section and a host-species- and clonality-matched isotype control; if available, add a confirmed ZCCHC17 knockout specimen or an immunizing-peptide block (A12008 tissue-IHC caption: peptide-blocked image). Quench endogenous peroxidase and check for background chromogen in the adrenal section before scoring glandular cells (standard chromogenic IHC practice; HPA: High in adrenal gland glandular cells).
⚠️Feasibility: No target-specific fixation window or fixation effect is reported in the supplied evidence; the selected A12008 paraffin-section caption does not state a fixative (A12008 tissue-IHC caption). A target-specific antigen-retrieval requirement is also unreported, so optimize retrieval with the IHC-validated antibody on paraffin sections (standard IHC practice). There is no supplied evidence that frozen sections or IF are easier for ZCCHC17, or that adrenal gland has a target-specific artefact; assess nuclear or nucleolar staining against the control sections (UniProt Q9NP64: nucleus, nucleolus).
HPA tissue IHC evidence for ZCCHC17
Comprehensive Human Protein Atlas IHC scoring per tissue (reliability: Approved — Medium 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrenal gland | Glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Appendix | Glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Breast | Adipocytes | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Bronchus | Respiratory epithelial cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Caudate | Neuronal cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Undetected expression · recommended negative controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None in HPA: ZCCHC17 is detected in all 45 scored tissues. Use a no-primary (secondary-only) and an isotype control instead. | ||||
Section 3
Advanced ZCCHC17 IHC Tips
Troubleshoot ZCCHC17 chromogenic IHC by checking retrieval, nuclear localisation, tissue controls and scoring before interpreting staining intensity.
What retrieval conditions should I start with for ZCCHC17 paraffin sections?
Start with Tris-EDTA pH 9.0 heat-induced retrieval at 95–98 °C for 20 min (page retrieval setting). Cool slides in the retrieval buffer, then compare a short retrieval time series on adjacent sections if nuclear staining is weak or tissue morphology deteriorates (standard IHC practice). ZCCHC17 is nuclear and nucleolar, so judge retrieval by signal within intact nuclei rather than by total brown staining (UniProt Q9NP64 localisation; standard IHC practice). The A12008 image shows paraffin-embedded breast carcinoma and a peptide-blocked comparison, but its caption gives no retrieval method or fixative; do not treat the page setting as a condition verified by that image (A12008 caption).
How should I assess whether fixation is affecting ZCCHC17 staining?
Target-specific fixation sensitivity is unknown: the A12008 tissue caption identifies paraffin-embedded breast carcinoma but does not state a fixative or fixation duration (A12008 caption). Record the fixative, duration and processing history for each section, then compare similarly processed sections before changing antibody concentration (standard IHC practice). If a new block stains poorly, inspect nuclear morphology and repeat staining alongside a previously successful section using the same Tris-EDTA pH 9.0, 95–98 °C, 20 min retrieval setting (standard IHC practice; page retrieval setting). Do not infer a ZCCHC17 fixation effect from its nuclear localisation, modified residues or HPA staining pattern (UniProt Q9NP64; HPA tissue IHC).
Which staining compartment should I accept as plausible for ZCCHC17?
Expect predominantly nuclear staining, with nucleolar enrichment plausible because UniProt assigns ZCCHC17 to the nucleus and nucleolus (UniProt Q9NP64 localisation). HPA describes a general nuclear tissue-IHC pattern, providing an independent compartment check with Approved reliability and medium staining–RNA consistency (HPA tissue IHC). Score nucleolar and other nuclear signal separately if the chromogen and counterstain permit that distinction; confirm apparent puncta remain within intact nuclei at higher magnification (standard IHC practice). Diffuse cytoplasmic or extracellular colour alone does not establish ZCCHC17 localisation, so review morphology, detection controls and a peptide-blocked comparison before calling it positive (UniProt Q9NP64 localisation; A12008 caption; standard IHC practice).
Can this antibody distinguish ZCCHC17 isoforms or epitope changes in tissue?
ZCCHC17 has 3 annotated isoforms and an S1 motif spanning residues 16–88, but the supplied A12008 caption does not identify the antibody epitope (UniProt Q9NP64 isoforms and domains; A12008 caption). It also lists modified residues at 114, 144 and 183; their effect on this antibody’s tissue staining is unknown (UniProt Q9NP64 modified residues; A12008 caption). Treat chromogenic intensity as antibody-dependent signal, not as an isoform or modification-specific measurement, until epitope mapping supplies that link (standard IHC interpretation). The caption’s synthesized-peptide block supports an epitope-competition check for its pictured paraffin tissue, but does not identify which isoforms are detected (A12008 caption; UniProt Q9NP64 isoforms).
How can I use IF to investigate an ambiguous chromogenic IHC pattern?
Use IF on a separate matched section to test whether ZCCHC17 signal falls within nuclei or nucleoli, the locations assigned by UniProt (UniProt Q9NP64 localisation; standard IF practice). Multiplex with a marker for the expected cell population, such as a neuronal marker when examining caudate neuronal cells or cerebellar Purkinje cells reported as high by HPA (HPA tissue IHC; standard IF practice). Choose a fluorophore channel after inspecting unstained tissue autofluorescence, and include single-label controls to assess bleed-through (standard IF practice). Because ZCCHC17 has no transmembrane segment and is intracellular, optimise permeabilisation for access across cellular and nuclear boundaries; HPA supplies no ZCCHC17 ICC/IF images to validate those conditions (UniProt Q9NP64 topology and localisation; HPA subcellular; standard IF practice).
What should I check when brown staining obscures nuclear ZCCHC17?
Compare a no-primary control and the synthesized-peptide-blocked condition shown for A12008 to separate detection-system background from peptide-competitive staining (A12008 caption; standard IHC practice). For peroxidase-based chromogenic IHC, check the peroxidase block and review DAB development time, since these are general workflow variables rather than ZCCHC17-specific evidence (standard IHC practice). Titrate primary antibody and detection reagent on adjacent sections while holding retrieval at Tris-EDTA pH 9.0, 95–98 °C for 20 min (page retrieval setting; standard IHC practice). Judge improvement by clearer nuclear signal against surrounding tissue, consistent with the reported ZCCHC17 location, rather than by a uniform drop in colour (UniProt Q9NP64 localisation; standard IHC practice).
How should I quantify ZCCHC17 staining across paraffin sections? ⚠ ANSWER MARKED FOR VERIFICATION
Define the eligible cell population and nuclear scoring rule before viewing outcomes, because HPA describes general nuclear expression but reports different levels across tissues and cell types (HPA tissue IHC; standard IHC practice). For cell-level analysis, report the percentage of positive nuclei and an H-score using intensity grades 0–3, applying the same threshold to all comparable sections (standard IHC practice). Where cell counts are unsuitable, report positive nuclear density per mm² of viable, evaluable tissue and state the sampled area (standard IHC practice). Normalise counts to eligible intact nuclei or viable area, document staining batch and exclude folds, section edges and necrosis from the scoring region (standard IHC practice).
How do I distinguish a credible ZCCHC17 result from artefact?
A credible result should align with nuclear or nucleolar localisation and the general nuclear tissue pattern reported for ZCCHC17 (UniProt Q9NP64 localisation; HPA tissue IHC). For a tissue check, HPA reports high signal in caudate neuronal cells and cerebellar Purkinje cells, while heart cardiomyocytes are listed as low, not absent (HPA tissue IHC). Inspect unexpected cytoplasmic colour, edge accentuation, necrotic areas and no-primary controls before assigning a positive call; in peroxidase IHC, also assess residual endogenous enzyme activity (UniProt Q9NP64 localisation; standard IHC practice). The A12008 peptide-blocked breast carcinoma image is a useful comparison, but one pictured block does not establish specificity in every cell population or processing condition (A12008 caption; standard IHC interpretation).
Boster reagents
Best ZCCHC17 / Zinc finger CCHC domain-containing protein 17 IHC Antibodies
A12008 has a human paraffin-section IHC image (catalog IHC image alt) and lists IF/ICC applications and human and mouse reactivity (catalog applications; reactivity). No IF image is provided (catalog IF image alts).
Real IHC data
Anti-Nucleolar protein of 40 kDa ZCCHC17 Antibody
Cat # A12008
A12008 will render with an IHC image of paraffin-embedded human breast carcinoma and a peptide-blocked comparison (catalog IHC image alt). It lists IHC, IF and ICC applications and human and mouse reactivity (catalog applications; reactivity), but provides no IF image (catalog IF image alts).
Which to pick: For tissue IHC, choose A12008 at 1:100–1:300 (datasheet: IHC dilution); its image documents human paraffin sections, but does not report the fixative (catalog IHC image alt). For IF/ICC, A12008 lists both applications and an IF dilution of 1:50 (catalog applications; IF dilution), though no IF image is supplied (catalog IF image alts). For human or mouse samples, A12008 is the listed rabbit polyclonal option (catalog host; dilution raw; reactivity); its tissue image documents human material only (catalog IHC image alt).
Each figure is that product's own IHC / IF validation image from its datasheet.
References
- UniProt Consortium. UniProt entry Q9NP64 (ZCC17_HUMAN, Zinc finger CCHC domain-containing protein 17).
- Human Protein Atlas. ZCCHC17 tissue IHC expression (reliability: Approved).
- Human Protein Atlas. ZCCHC17 subcellular location (ICC-IF): Highest expression in SK-MEL-30: 147.2 nTPM.
- Human Protein Atlas. ZCCHC17 antibody validation summary (1 antibodies).
- ZCCHC17 Served as a Predictive Biomarker for Prognosis and Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Frontiers in oncology 2021 — PMC8770814.
- PubMed PMID:12893261 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:11042152 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:14702039 — UniProt-cited evidence.
Immunohistochemistry protocol sheet for ZCCHC17 (Zinc finger CCHC domain-containing protein 17). Expected localisation General nuclear staining (HPA tissue IHC); nucleolar location (UniProt). Antigen retrieval: Tris-EDTA pH 9.0 HIER, 95–98 °C, 20 min (rule: nuclear antigen). Validated IHC antibody: A12008 at 1:100 - 1:300 (the product's own IHC validation image is shown). Controls (HPA): positive Adrenal gland (Glandular cells); negative None in HPA (detected in all 45 tissues); use no-primary + isotype controls. IHC-P workflow on paraffin sections; fixative unspecified. Protocol steps: 1. Sample: Paraffin-embedded human breast carcinoma tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet A12008); 2. Fixation: Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A12008); 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-ZCCHC17, 1:100 - 1:300 (datasheet A12008); 9. Primary incubation: Overnight at 4 °C (standard). Watch for: Fixation: Keep fixation consistent across paraffin sections (standard IHC practice; not target-specific); Caveat: Staining–RNA consistency is medium (HPA tissue IHC); Isoform / epitope: 3 isoforms; epitope coverage is unknown (UniProt; datasheet); Regulation: Expression regulation is not established (UniProt; HPA tissue IHC). Evidence: UniProt Q9NP64, HPA tissue IHC · Approved, HPA cell-line RNA · Highest expression in SK-MEL-30: 147.2 nTPM, Datasheet A12008, PMC8770814. QR code links to https://www.bosterbio.com/bosterbio-gene-info-cards/ZCCHC17/immunohistochemistry-ihc-guide.