Actin, Smooth Muscle (alpha-Actin 2, ACTA2)

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. 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. Furthermore, expression of smooth muscle alpha actin is regulated by hormones and cell proliferation, and is altered by pathological conditions including oncogenic transformation and atherosclerosis.\n\nApplications: \nSuitable for use in Flow Cytometry, Western Blot, Immunoprecipitation and Immunohistochemistry. Other applications not tested.\n\nRecommended Dilutions:\nFlow Cytometry: 1:20\nWestern Blot: 1:1000-1:5000\nImmunohistochemistry: 1:1000-1:2000. Only detects actin in smooth muscle.\nImmunoprecipitation: 1:20\nOptimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher.\n\nStorage and Stability:\nMay be stored at 4 degrees C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20 degrees C. Aliquots are stable for 12 months. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.\n\nManufactured incorporating RabMAb(R) technology under Epitomics US patents, No 5,675,063 and 7,429,487, owned by Abcam.

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