Application

Anti-α-Tubulin antibody, Mouse monoclonal has been used in immunocytofluorescence and western blot analysis.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Tubulin α 4a (TUBA4A) mutation is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). α-Tubulin or tubulin α 4A (TUBA4A) plays an essential role in cell growth and division. It is also implicated in various cellular processes, such as cell motility, signaling development and cell shape maintenance. Mutation in TUBA4A is associated with the development of various types of cancers, such as oral cancer, breast cancer, rectal cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. In addition, variation in the TUBA4A leads to sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

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

Anti-α-Tubulin antibody, Mouse monoclonal (mouse IgG1 isotype) is derived from the hybridoma DM1A produced by the fusion of mouse myeloma cells (NS1) and splenocytes from BALB/c mice immunized with purified chick brain tubulin. The isotype is determined by a double diffusion immunoassay using Mouse Monoclonal Antibody Isotyping Reagents, Product Number ISO2. Tubulin is the major building block of microtubules. This intracellular, cylindrical, filamentous structure is present in almost all eukaryotic cells. Microtubules function as structural and mobile elements in mitosis, intracellular transport, flagellar movement, and the cytoskeleton. Tubulin is a heterodimer that consists of α-tubulin and β-tubulin. Both subunits have a molecular weight of approx. 50 kDa and share considerable homology. In addition to α- and β-tubulin, several other tubulins have been identified, bringing the number of distinct tubulin classes to seven. Most of these tubulins have distinct subcellular localization and an emerging diverse set of functions. Out of the seven different tubulins four new members of the tubulin family were identified recently, which consist of δ, ξ, η and ε-tubulin. η and ε-tubulins were discovered by database searches. Microtubular systems contain at least three α-tubulin isoforms. Two isoforms are coded by two α-tubulin genes, which are both transcribed and code for extremely similar proteins. The third isoform is generated by post-translational modification. At least three modifications of tubulin subunits have been described: the phosphorylation of β-tubulin from brain, the removal of the carboxy terminal tyrosine form a-tubulin in vertebrate tissues, and the acetylation of the amino group of lysine(s) in α-tubulin. α -tubulin, also called tubulin α 4a (TUBA4A), is mapped to human chromosome 2q35. The gene codes for a member of the α -tubulin family, and contains 448 amino acids. α-subunit of tubulin has molecular weight of 50,000.Monoclonal antibodies recognizing α-tubulin, together with monoclonal antibodies to other tubulin types (β, β-tubulin isotype I +II, β-tubulin isotype III, tyrosine tubulin, and the acetylated form of α-tubulin) provide a specific and useful tool in studying the intracellular distribution of tubulin and the static and dynamic aspects of cytoskeleton.

Immunogen

microtubules from chicken embryo brain.

Other Notes

In order to obtain the best results using various techniques and preparations, we recommend determining optimal working dilutions by titration.

Physical form

Solution in 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4, containing 1% BSA and 15 mM sodium azide.

Preparation Note

Storage and Stability: Store at 2-8°C for up to one month. For prolonged storage, freeze in working aliquots at -20°C. 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. Working dilutions should be discarded if not used within 12 hours.

Specificity

Anti-α-Tubulin antibody, Mouse monoclonal recognizes an epitope located at the C-terminal end of the α-tubulin isoform (amino acids 426-430) in a variety of organisms (e.g., human, bovine, mouse, and chicken).

The antibody is specific for α-tubulin in immunoblotting assays and may be used for localization of α-tubulin in cultured cells or tissue sections. The antibody reacts best with chicken fibroblasts.