γ-H2AX — the phosphorylated form of histone variant H2AX at Serine 139 — is one of the earliest and most widely used markers of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Upon DSB induction, kinases such as ATM, ATR, and DNA-PKcs rapidly phosphorylate H2AX within minutes, generating γ-H2AX foci that recruit downstream repair machinery. Detection of γ-H2AX is central to studies of the DNA damage response (DDR), genotoxicity screening, radiation biology, and oncology drug development.
abinScience offers a focused panel of gamma H2AX antibodies including recombinant phospho-specific clones targeting Ser139, a broad-reactivity polyclonal anti-H2AX, and camelid-derived VHH nanobodies — providing researchers with multiple format options for DNA damage detection.
Why Choose abinScience for γ-H2AX Antibodies?
✓ Recombinant technology — lot-to-lot consistency for reproducible DSB detection
✓ Multiple clones — C6, A9, A4, G2, 9F3 phospho-specific clones for Ser139 epitope
✓ Nanobody format available — small-size VHH for enhanced tissue penetration and super-resolution imaging
✓ Recombinant H2AX protein — His-tagged for assay development, antibody screening, and positive controls
Available H2AX Antibodies & Proteins
Phospho-γ-H2AX (Ser139) Recombinant Antibodies
Recombinant monoclonal antibodies specifically recognizing γ-H2AX phosphorylated at Serine 139. Ideal for detecting DNA double-strand breaks.
Total H2AX Polyclonal Antibody
Detects total H2AX protein regardless of phosphorylation status. Useful as a loading control when paired with phospho-specific antibodies, or for studying H2AX expression levels.
H2AX VHH Nanobodies
Camelid-derived single-domain antibodies (~15 kDa) targeting H2AX. The small size of VHH nanobodies enables enhanced tissue penetration and access to epitopes that conventional antibodies may not reach — particularly advantageous for super-resolution microscopy and intracellular applications.
H2AX Recombinant Protein
Recombinant full-length H2AX protein for use as a positive control in western blot, ELISA standard, or antibody screening and validation.
About the H2AX / γ-H2AX Target
Gene name: H2AFX (also known as H2AX, H2a/x)
UniProt: P16104 (Human)
Molecular weight: ~15 kDa
Chromosomal location: 11q23.3
H2AX is a member of the histone H2A family and constitutes approximately 2–25% of total H2A in mammalian cells. It is structurally similar to other H2A variants but contains a unique C-terminal SQ motif (Ser139) that serves as the phosphorylation substrate for PI3K-like kinases.
Key Phosphorylation Event
Within minutes of a DNA double-strand break, ATM, ATR, and DNA-PKcs phosphorylate H2AX at Ser139, generating γ-H2AX. Each DSB produces a γ-H2AX focus spanning megabases of chromatin flanking the break site.
γ-H2AX foci serve as platforms for recruiting MDC1, 53BP1, BRCA1, and the MRN complex, orchestrating the downstream DNA damage response.
Research Applications of γ-H2AX Antibodies
γ-H2AX antibodies are among the most cited reagents in DNA damage research. Common applications include:
DNA Damage Detection
Quantification of DSBs induced by ionizing radiation, chemotherapy agents (etoposide, cisplatin, doxorubicin), or replication stress. γ-H2AX foci counting by IF is the gold-standard readout.
Genotoxicity Screening
High-content imaging of γ-H2AX foci is widely used in pharmaceutical genotoxicity assessment as a sensitive and quantitative endpoint for DNA-damaging compounds.
Radiation Biology
Biodosimetry applications use γ-H2AX as a biomarker for radiation exposure. Kinetics of γ-H2AX foci formation and resolution correlate with DSB repair efficiency.
Cancer Research
Constitutive γ-H2AX expression in tumor cells reflects ongoing replication stress and genomic instability. Used to evaluate DNA damage response pathway integrity in cancer models.
Drug Development
γ-H2AX serves as a pharmacodynamic biomarker for DDR-targeting therapeutics including PARP inhibitors, ATR inhibitors, and DNA-PKcs inhibitors in preclinical and clinical studies.
Apoptosis vs. DNA Repair
Pan-nuclear γ-H2AX staining (vs. discrete foci) distinguishes apoptotic DNA fragmentation from repairable DSBs — a critical readout in cell death studies.
How to Choose the Right H2AX Antibody
| Your Goal |
Recommended Product Type |
Why |
| Detect DNA double-strand breaks |
Phospho-γ-H2AX (Ser139) recombinant mAb |
Phospho-specific; recombinant ensures batch consistency |
| Measure total H2AX expression |
Anti-H2AX Polyclonal Antibody (HB952014) |
Detects total protein regardless of phosphorylation; broad species reactivity |
| Super-resolution microscopy / intracellular access |
Anti-H2AX VHH Nanobody |
~15 kDa size enables better penetration and reduced linkage error |
| Positive control / ELISA standard |
H2AX Recombinant Protein (HB952012) |
His-tagged full-length protein for assay development |
| Clone screening / comparative study |
Multiple phospho clones (C6, A9, A4, G2, 9F3) |
Test multiple clones to identify the best performer for your specific assay conditions |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gamma H2AX (γ-H2AX)?
γ-H2AX is the phosphorylated form of histone variant H2AX, generated when Serine 139 in the C-terminal tail is phosphorylated by ATM, ATR, or DNA-PKcs kinases in response to DNA double-strand breaks. The term "gamma" refers specifically to this phosphorylation event. γ-H2AX rapidly forms discrete nuclear foci at DSB sites and is considered the most sensitive marker for DNA damage detection.
What is the difference between H2AX and γ-H2AX antibodies?
A total H2AX antibody (such as our polyclonal HB952014) recognizes the H2AX protein regardless of its phosphorylation state — useful for measuring expression levels or as a loading control. A γ-H2AX antibody (phospho-specific) selectively detects H2AX only when phosphorylated at Ser139, making it specific for DNA damage events. For DSB detection, you need the phospho-specific version.
Why use a nanobody instead of a conventional antibody for H2AX detection?
VHH nanobodies (~15 kDa) are roughly one-tenth the size of conventional IgG antibodies (~150 kDa). This size advantage provides better penetration into dense chromatin structures, reduced steric hindrance at the epitope, and lower linkage error in super-resolution microscopy (STORM, PALM). Nanobodies are also advantageous for live-cell applications when delivered as intrabodies.
How many γ-H2AX clones does abinScience offer, and how do I choose?
abinScience currently offers six phospho-γ-H2AX recombinant antibody clones: C6, A9, A4, G2, and 9F3. Different clones may vary in affinity, epitope accessibility under different fixation conditions, and signal-to-noise ratio depending on your specific application. We recommend testing 2–3 clones in parallel during initial optimization to identify the best performer for your experimental setup. Contact our technical team for clone selection guidance.
Can I use the H2AX recombinant protein as a positive control?
Yes. The Human H2AX Recombinant Protein (HB952012) is His-tagged and suitable for use as a positive control in western blot, as an antigen for ELISA assay development, or as a substrate for in vitro kinase assays to generate phosphorylated γ-H2AX.
Need Help Selecting the Right γ-H2AX Antibody?
Our scientists can help you match the right clone and format to your application.
Contact Technical Support
All products are for research use only (RUO). Not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Product availability and specifications are subject to change. Visit individual product pages for the most current information.
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