Actin

Actins are highly conserved proteins ubiquitously expressed in all eukaryotic cells. They comprise, along with microtubules, a major component of the cytoskeleton. Actin has been found to be expressed in at least six isomeric forms. It is expressed in heart and skeletal striated muscle tissue, and in certain smooth muscle tissues, regulating contractile potentials for these cells. It is also expressed in the cytoplasm of non-muscle cells, functioning to control cell structure and motility. Polymerization of globular actin (G-actin) leads to a structural filament (F-actin), whose formation requires the Arp2/3 complex. It has been reported that actin is hyperphosphorylated in primary breast tumors. It has also been shown that actin dysfunction leads to certain types of heart failure.||Applications: |Suitable for use in Indirect Immunofluorescence, ELISA, Western Blot, Dot Blot and Immunohistochemistry. Other applications not tested.||Recommended Dilutions:|Indirect Immunofluorescence: 1:200-1:2000. Staining of cultured human or chicken fibroblasts|Western Blot: 1:500 using Human or chicken fibroblast extract. Band at ~ 42kD. |Immunohistochemistry (Paraffin): Methanol-fixed sections. Zinc-formalin, B5, ethanol, methacarn, Brunnel's or Bouin's solution can be used as fixatives. Can also be used on frozen sections.|Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher.||Storage and Stability:|May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for 12 months after receipt. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.