Smoothelin (FITC)

Smoothelin is a constituent of the smooth muscle cell (SMC) cytoskeleton. Antibodies directed to smoothelin are useful tools to monitor SMC differentiation. Smoothelin is exclusively expressed in fully differentiated (contractile) SMCs. RNA and protein analyses revealed a broad species distribution of this protein. Cells with SMC-like characteristics, such as myofibroblasts and myoepithelial cells, as well as skeletal and cardiac muscle do not contain smoothelin. Confocal scanning laser microscopy of tissue sections, as well as transfection studies, show a filamentous organization of smoothelin that is different from that of desmin or vimentin. Smoothelin co- localizes with actin stress fibers. In Western Blots two molecular weight isoforms are detected i.e. a 50kD isoform specific for visceral SMC, and an isoform with a molecular weight of ~100kD in vascular SMC. Human smoothelin is encoded by a single copy gene which is located on chromosome 22. This target is useful to discriminate fully differentiated, contractile SMCs from proliferative SMCs. The distribution of smoothelin- positive cells indicates a correlation between smoothelin expression and smooth muscle tissue contractility. Smoothelin is also a useful tool in the evaluation of atherosclerotic lesions.||Applications: |Suitable for use in Western Blot, Immunocytochemistry and|Immunohistochemistry. Other applications have not been tested.||Recommended Dilutions:|Western Blot: 1:100-1:1000|Immunocytochemistry: 1:100-1:200|Immunohistochemistry: 1:100-1:200. Frozen and paraffin embedded tissue. For use on paraffin embedded sections, the sections should be pre-treated with 10mM citrate buffer (pH 6.0) and heated for 3-5 minutes.|Optimal dilution determined by the researcher.||Storage and Stability:|Store product at 4°C if to be used immediately within two weeks. For long-term storage, aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing and store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable at -20°C for 12 months after receipt. Dilute required amount only prior to immediate use. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer. |Caution: FITC conjugates are sensitive to light. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. ||Note: Applications are based on unconjugated antibody.