Alexa Fluor® 647 Anti-Caldesmon/CDM antibody [E89]

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Caldesmon also known as CDM CALD1 and h-caldesmon is a cytoskeletal protein with a molecular mass of approximately 93 to 120 kDa. This protein expresses itself abundantly in smooth muscle tissues yet it can also be found in non-muscle cells like fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Researchers often use specific caldesmon antibodies in immunohistochemistry allowing them to label various cellular components and providing insights into tissue composition. Due to its presence in muscle tissues caldesmon is essential for understanding muscle physiology and pathology.

Biological function summary

Caldesmon interacts with actin and myosin to regulate actomyosin contractility. This protein plays a critical role in controlling the contraction and relaxation processes in smooth muscle cells. Caldesmon forms part of a complex that includes calmodulin and tropomyosin enhancing its ability to stabilize actin filaments. It functions by inhibiting the ATPase activity of myosin therefore influencing cellular motility and shape change mechanisms. Researchers continually study caldesmon to comprehend its interactome and its significance within the larger cellular structure.

Pathways

Caldesmon participates in the regulation of the cytoskeletal dynamics vital for cell motility and structural integrity. In particular it is an important component of the contraction-relaxation cycle pathway in smooth muscle tissues. This protein has connections with pathways involving RhoA-Rho kinase where caldesmon modulates the phosphorylation levels influencing muscle contraction. Additionally proteins like tropomyosin and calmodulin modulate its activity especially under calcium-calmodulin-dependent pathways which further elucidates its regulatory importance.

Associated diseases and disorders

Caldesmon has associations with conditions like certain types of cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Its expression levels and distribution provide valuable information in identifying smooth muscle tumors and other pathological conditions. In oncology for example h-caldesmon serves as a marker to distinguish leiomyosarcomas from other tumors. Moreover due to its involvement in smooth muscle contractility caldesmon links with proteins such as calmodulin and tropomyosin in diseases where abnormal contraction and cellular motility play significant roles. Understanding these connections is important for developing targeted treatments and improving diagnostic accuracy.