Anti-Actin, alpha, Smooth Muscle

Actins are highly conserved proteins expressed in all eucaryotic cells. Actin filaments form part of the cytoskeleton and play essential roles in regulating cell shape and movement. Six distinct actin isotypes have been identified in mammalian cells. Each is encoded by a separated gene and is expressed in a developmentally regulated and tissue-specific manner, alpha and beta cytoplasmic actins are expressed in a wide variety of cells, whereas, expression of alpha skeletal, alpha cardiac, alpha vascular, and gamma enteric actins are more restricted to specialized muscle cell type. Smooth muscle alpha actin is of further interest because it is one of a few genes whose expression is relatively restricted to vascular smooth muscle cells. Further more, expression of smooth muscle alpha actin is regulated by hormones, cell proliferation, and altered by pathological conditions including oncogenic transformation and atherosclerosis. Applications: Suitable for use in Flow Cytometry, Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry. Other applications not tested. Recommended Dilutions: Flow Cytometry: 2.5ug/10e6 cells using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells fixed with paraformaldehyde and permeabilized with saponin, Immunohistochemistry: 8-25ug/ml using immersion fixed paraffin-embedded sections of human heart and human breast cancer tissue., Immunocytochemistry: see references 5 and 6, Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. Storage and Stability: Lyophilized powder may be stored at -20°C. Stable for 12 months at -20°C. Reconstitute with sterile PBS. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Reconstituted product is stable for 12 months at -20°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.