Actin alpha-smooth (clone 1A4), anti-rat, chicken, caprine, monkey, quail, sheep, swine, xenopus

Background:
Among the six actin isoforms described in mammals, two are found in virtually all cells (beta- and gamma-cytoplasmic), two are detected in smooth muscle cells (alpha- and gamma-smooth muscle) and two are present in striated muscles, one predominantly in skeletal (alpha-skeletal) and one in cardiac (alpha-cardiac) muscle cells. These actin isoforms differ slightly in their N-terminus, but the sequence of each of these actins is highly conserved in higher vertebRates. Alpha-smooth muscle actin is abundant in vascular and visceral smooth muscle cells. In addition, it has also been shown to appear in stress fibers of fibroblastic cells during pathological situations involving contractile phenomena such as wound healing and fibrocontractive diseases.

Clone: 1A4

Isotype: Mouse IgG2a

Source: alpha-SM1 (clone 1A4) is a Mouse monoclonal IgG2a antibody derived by fusion of Sp2/0 Mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from a BALB/c Mouse immunized with a peptide comprising the first 10 amino acids of alpha-smooth muscle actin with an acetylated N-terminus coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin via the C-terminal cysteine (Ac-EEEDSTALVC).

Reactivity: chicken, caprine, monkey, quail, rat, sheep, swine, xenopus. The epitope recognized by alpha-SM1 is highly conserved. The antibody therefore cross-reacts with many species including protochordates, lower craniates and mammals.

Specificity: alpha-SM1 reacts exclusively with alpha-smooth muscle actin which is typical for vascular and visceral smooth muscle cells, but which is also present in myofibroblasts. The epitope that is recognized by alpha-SM1 is Ac-EEED.

Form: Each vial contains 50 ul of 1 mg/ml purified monoclonal antibody in PBS containing 0.09% sodium azide.

Applications: Electron microscopy, Immunocytochemistry, Immunohistochemistry (frozen), Immunohistochemistry (paraffin), Western blotting

Storage: Store at 4C, or in small aliquots at -20C.