Anti-Actin antibody, Mouse monoclonal

Description

• General description: Actin is a highly conserved protein that is a major component of both the cytoskeletal and contractile structures in all cell types. It varies in amount, being related to the type of differentiation and to the functional state of cells and tissues. Actin can be found in two different forms of aggregation, the globular or the fibrillar state, and at least six distinct isoforms occur in vertebrates. The actins exhibit over 90% sequence homology, but each isoform has a unique NH2-terminal sequence. The isoforms are comprised of three α actins (skeletal, cardiac, smooth), one β actin (β-non-muscle) and two γ actins (γ smooth muscle and γ non-muscle). The human γ-actin gene is mapped to human chromosome 17.The antibody recognizes an epitope located on the C-terminal end of actin conserved in all actin isoforms. It specifically labels actin in a wide variety of tissues and species. The epitope recognized by the antibody is resistant to formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedding. Zinc-formalin, B5, ethanol, methacarn, Brunnel′s or Bouin′s solutions may also be used as fixatives. Monoclonal Anti-Actin (mouse IgG2a isotype) is derived from the AC-40 hybridoma produced by the fusion of mouse myeloma cells and splenocytes from an immunized mouse. A synthetic actin C-terminal peptide, attached to Multiple Antigen Peptide (MAP) backbone was used as the immunogen. The isotype is determined using Mouse Monoclonal Antibody Isotyping Reagents, Catalog No. ISO2
• Specificity: Cross-reaction of monoclonal Anti-Actin antibody has been observed with human, bovine, sheep, goat, pig, rabbit, dog, mouse, rat, guinea pig, hamster, chicken, carp, viper, frog and snail. The antibody may be used in staining of methanol-fixed, frozen sections.
• Immunogen: synthetic actin C-terminal peptide, attached to a Multiple Antigen Peptide (MAP) backbone.
• Application: Monoclonal anti-actin antibody was used for western blot analysis of Cos-7 cell lysates to ensure equal protein loading.
• Biochem/physiol Actions: Actin and myosin are constituents of many cell types and are involved in cellular process including locomotion, secretion, cytoplasmic streaming, phagocytosis, and cytokinesis. The N-terminal region of actin appears to be a major antigenic region, and may be involved in the interaction of actin with other proteins such as myosin. Among the six isoforms of actin, four of them represent the differentiation markers of muscle tissues and two are found practically in all cells. There are three α-actins (skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle), one β-actin (β-nonmuscle), and two γ-actins (γ-smooth muscle and γ-nonmuscle). Actin isoforms show >90% overall sequence homology, but only 50–60% homology in their NH2-terminal residues.The actin in cells of various species and tissues are very similar in their immunological and physical properties characterized by electrophoresis and amino acid sequence analysis. They mediate cytoskeletal remodeling during T cell activation. Mutation in the γ-actin and β-actin gene is associated with a developmental disorder called Baraitser-Winter syndrome. Mutation in the γ-actin leads to hearing loss.
• Physical form: Solution in 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4, containing 15 mM sodium azide.
• Storage and Stability: For continuous use, store at 2-8 °C for up to one month. For extended storage, freeze in working aliquots. Repeated freezing and thawing is not recommended. Storage in “frost-free” freezers is not recommended. If slight turbidity occurs upon prolonged storage, clarify the solution by centrifugation before use. Working dilution samples should be discarded if not used within 12 hours.
• Other Notes: To view an Actin antibody selection guide, please visit www.sigmaaldrich.com/actin.
• Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated in our catalog or other company documentation accompanying the product(s), our products are intended for research use only and are not to be used for any other purpose, which includes but is not limited to, unauthorized commercial uses, in vitro diagnostic uses, ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic uses or any type of consumption or application to humans or animals.