p38alpha MAP Kinase (Tyr-323), phospho-specific polyclonal, anti-human, mouse, rat, chicken

Background:
p38 MAP kinase (MAPK), also called RK, CSBP, and SAPK2a, is the mammalian orthologue of the yeast HOG kinase. This family of kinases participates in signaling cascades that control cellular responses to cytokines and stress. Four isoforms of p38 MAPK (α,β,γ,δ) have been identified. Similar to the SAPK/JNK pathway, p38 MAPK is activated by a variety of cellular stresses including osmotic shock, inflammatory cytokines, lipopolysaccharides, UV light, and growth factors. MKK3 and SEK activate p38 MAPK by dual phosphorylation at Thr-180/Tyr-182. Activated p38 MAPK has been shown to phosphorylate and activate MAPKAP kinase 2 and to phosphorylate the transcription factors ATF-2, Max and MEF2. T cells possess an alternative pathway for p38 activation where stimulation of the antigen receptor (TCR) induces phosphorylation of p38 on Tyr-323. This site is required for TCR-mediated phosphorylation of Thr-180 and catalytic activity. Thus, Tyr-323 may also have important roles in regulating p38 MAP kinase pathways.

Immunogen: Phospho-p38α MAP Kinase (Tyr-323) synthetic peptide (coupled to KLH) corresponding to amino acid residues surrounding tyrosine 323 in mouse p38α. This peptide sequence is highly conserved in human and rat p38α, and has high homology to the conserved site in p38β.

Specificity: This antibody was cross-adsorbed to a phospho-tyrosine peptide before affinity purification using phospho-p38α (Tyr-323) peptide (without carrier). The antibody detects a 38 kDa* band corresponding to p38α on SDS-PAGE immunoblots of human Jurkat, K562, and mouse macrophage (J774A.1) cells treated with pervanadate. In addition, the antibody detects recombinant p38 MAP Kinase when treated with Fyn kinase (The in vitro kinase model was kindly provided by Dr. Paul Mittelstadt from the Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology at the NCI.)

Buffer/Storage:
Rabbit polyclonal, affinity-purified antibody is supplied in 100μl phosphate-buffered saline, 50% glycerol, 1 mg/ml BSA, and 0.05% sodium azide. Store at –20°C. Stable for 1 year.