Smoothelin

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.\n\nApplications: \nSuitable for use in Western Blot, Immunocytochemistry and\nImmunohistochemistry. Other applications have not been tested.\n\nRecommended Dilutions:\nWestern Blot: 1:100-1:1000\nImmunocytochemistry: 1:100-1:200\nImmunohistochemistry: 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.\nOptimal dilution 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.

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SPECIFICATIONS

Catalog Number

S1014-62

Size

100ug

Applications

ICC, IHC, WB

Hosts

Mouse

Reactivities

Hum, Can, Ch/Bird, Fel, NHP, Prc

Form

Supplied as a liquid in PBS, 0.09% sodium azide

P Type

Mab

Purity

Purified

Isotype

IgG1

References

1. Van der Loop, FTL, et al., Smoothelin, a novel cytoskeletal protein specific 134:401

Additional Info

Recognizes chicken smoothelin, a cytoskeletal protein exclusively found in smooth muscle cells at 59kD and 100kD Species Crossreactivity: human, canine, feline, porcine and monkey. Not with hamster, rat or mouse.