Application

Rabbit Anti-Actin (20-33) antibody has been used for immunoblotting assays. The product can also be used for immunohistochemistry, indirect immunofluorescence and microarray analyses.

Homogenates from limb tissue of E13.5 mouse embryos were analyzed by western blot using rabbit anti-actin as a primary antibody at a dilution of 1:8000.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Actin maintains the cell shape and participates in cytokinesis. Actin provides cellular strength and promotes active movement of the cell. Actin protein is essential for the formation of mature platelets. Upregulation of ACTA1 (actin, α 1) gene is observed in orthotopic liver transplantation without any earlier evidence of autoimmune liver disease.

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.

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).

A mature actin filament consists of a right-handed double helix made of two F-actin protofilaments.The antibody shows a broad reactivity among actin isoforms and across a range of organisms. It specifically stains typical stress fibers in cultured cells using an indirect immunofluorescent labeling technique and can be used as a probe of the N-terminal region of actin.

Immunogen

N-terminal actin peptide attached to a multiple antigen peptide (MAP) backbone.

Other Notes

To view an Actin antibody selection guide, please visit www.sigmaaldrich.com/actin.

Physical form

Solution in 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4, containing 15 mM sodium azide as preservative.

Specificity

Anti-Actin recognizes an epitope located on the N-terminal region of actin. The antibody specifically labels actin in a wide variety of tissues and species using immunoblotting (band at 42kDa). It specifically stains typical stress fibers in cultured cells using indirect immunofluorescent staining and immunohistochemistry.

Storage and Stability

For continuous use, store at 2-8 °C for a maximum of one month. For extended storage, freeze in working aliquots. Repeated freezing and thawing, or storage in "frost-free" freezers, is not recommended. If slight turbidity occurs upon prolonged storage, clarify the solution by centrifugation before use.