Beta-actin belongs to a large family of highly conserved structural cell proteins that regulate cell motility, structure, and integrity. Beta-actin is expressed in all eukaryotic cells making it the ideal internal quantitative control for protein comparative assays. This feature has made it uniquely a historical and heavily-utilized standard, as the public record of scientific publication literature can attest to. Ex vivo familial genome-wide genetics studies trying to identify chemotherapy cytotoxicitygenomic hotspots used the beta actin antibody in genome-wide linkage analyses1. Dietz’s group employed the beta actin antibody to monitor effects of long-term administration of the DNA synthesis inhibitor imatinib meslyate on downstream events such as proliferation and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in both human primary T-cells and murine in vivo models2.
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Immunocytochemistry/Immunofluorescence: Beta Actin Antibody
In the neurodegeneration arena, Park et al characterized atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE knockout mice with the beta actin antibody to analyze the role of ectopic cell cycle activation in classic pathological hallmarks found in Alzheimer’s such as plaque pathogenesis and rupture3. Antibodies to beta-actin itself also allow scientists to study and understand the cytoskeleton and structural components within the cell required for basic movement and cell functions. In a series of experiments, Gimona’s group generated a beta actin antibody and elegantly showed that it decorates actin filaments as well as peripheral lamellipodia4. High resolution dual-label immunocytochemistry studies with the beta actin antibody localized the thin filament-binding protein calponin to both the contractile apparatus and cytoskeleton in smooth muscle cells5. The beta actin antibody was used in lipid metabolism studies assessing metabolic transformations driving breast cancer cell growth and survival6.
Novus Biologicals offers Beta Actin reagents for your research needs including:
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