Tubulin, alpha, NT (Alpha Tubulin, Tubulin alpha Ubiquitous, H2-Alpha, K-alpha-1, TUBA3, Tubulin alpha 1 Chain, TUBA1, TUBA1A, Tubulin K alpha 1)

The alpha-tubulin (relative molecular weight about 50kD) is globular protein that exists in cells as part of soluble alpha/beta-tubulin dimer or it is polymerized into microtubules. In different species it is coded by multiple tubulin genes that form tubulin classes (in human 6 genes). Expressed tubulin genes are named tubulin isotypes. Some of the tubulin isotypes are expressed ubiquitously, while some have more restricted tissue expression. Alpha-tubulin is also subject of numerous post-translational modifications. Tubulin isotypes and their posttranslational modifications are responsible for multiple tubulin charge variants - tubulin isoforms. Heterogeneity of alpha-tubulin is concentrated in C-terminal structural domain.The microtubules are intracellular dynamic polymers made up of evolutionarily conserved polymorphic alpha/beta-tubulin heterodimers and a large number of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). The microtubules consist of 13 protofilaments and have an outer diameter 25nm. Microtubules have their intrinsic polarity; highly dynamic plus ends and less dynamic minus ends. Microtubules are required for vital processes in eukaryotic cells including mitosis, meiosis, maintenance of cell shape and intracellular transport. Microtubules are also necessary for movement of cells by means of flagella and cilia. In mammalian tissue culture cells microtubules have their minus ends anchored in microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs).The GTP (guanosintriphosphate) molecule is an essential for tubulin heterodimer to associate with other heterodimers to form microtubule. In vivo, microtubule dynamics vary considerably. Microtubule polymerization is reversible and a populations of microtubules in cells are on their minus ends either growing or shortening this phenomenon is called dynamic instability of microtubules. On a practical level, microtubules can easily be stabilized by the addition of non-hydrolysable analogues of GTP (eg. GMPPCP) or more commonly by anti-cancer drugs such as Taxol. Taxol stabilizes microtubules at room temperature for many hours. Using limited proteolysis by enzymes both tubulin subunits can be divided into N-terminal and C-terminal structural domains. Applications: Suitable for use in Western Blot and Immunocytochemistry. Other applications not tested. Recommended Dilution: Western Blot: 1-2mg/ml under reducing conditions. Prepare samples in Laemmli reducing buffer. Immunocytochemistry: Use fixed and permeabilized cells. Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. WB Positive Control: HPB-ALL peripheral blood leukemia cell lysate (incubation 60 min) Porcine brain lysate (incubation 90 min) Storage and Stability: May 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 at least 12 months. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.