Cytoskeleton markers
What is the cytoskeleton?
The cytoskeleton is a dynamic network of protein filaments that gives cells their shape, provides structural support, and enables movement. It plays a key role in processes like cell division, intracellular transport, and mechanical stability.
The cytoskeleton has three main components:
- Microfilaments – eg, beta actin
- Microtubules – eg, alpha tubulin, beta tubulin
- Intermediate filaments – eg, vimentin, cytokeratin, desmin
Why use cytoskeleton markers?
Cytoskeleton markers help you study cell architecture and dynamic processes such as mitosis, migration, and signal transduction. They allow visualization of specific cytoskeletal elements, making it easier to track changes in cell shape, polarity, and organization during development, disease progression, or response to external stimuli.
Defects in cytoskeletal structure are linked to conditions like cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer.
Microfilaments
Microfilaments (actin filaments) are involved in cell motility, endocytosis, exocytosis, cytokinesis, and muscle contraction. They are about 7 nm in diameter and primarily made of polymerized actin. Humans have six main actins:
- Cytoplasmic actin (ACTB, ACTG1)
- Cardiac actin (ACTC1)
- Skeletal actin (ACTA1)
- Smooth muscle actin (ACTA2, ACTG2)
Microfilament dynamics are regulated by proteins that control cross-linking, capping, elongation, nucleation, severing, and bundling. Examples include:
- Cross-linking proteins: α-actinin, fascin, fimbrin
- Capping proteins: Capping Protein, CapG
- Elongation factors: Formins, ENA/VASP, WASP family
- Nucleating factors: ARP2, ARP3, formins
- Severing proteins: ADF/cofilin, Gelsolin family
- Bundling proteins: filamin, α-actinin, fimbrin
Myosin family proteins act as motors, transporting vesicles along actin networks and enabling muscle contraction.
Microtubules
Microtubules provide structural support, form transport networks, and make up the mitotic spindle. They are 25 nm in diameter and consist of alpha and beta tubulin heterodimers.
Microtubules are nucleated by microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs), which form γ-tubulin ring complexes (γ-tubulin and GCP2-6). Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) include:
Motor proteins kinesin and dynein move organelles, vesicles, and biomolecular complexes along microtubules.
Intermediate filaments
Intermediate filaments are strong, coiled-coil protein structures that form tetramers, their basic building blocks. They are about 10 nm in diameter and provide mechanical strength.
Types include:
- Type I & II: Acidic and basic keratins
- Type III: Vimentin, desmin, GFAP
- Type IV: Neurofilaments, nestin, synemin
- Type V: Lamins
- Type VI: Phakinin, filensin
High-quality cytoskeleton marker antibodies
Anti-Vimentin antibody [RV202] - Cytoskeleton Marker
- Validated for western blot, flow cytometry (intra), flow cytometry, IHC-P, IHC-Fr, ICC/IF
- KO validated for confirmed specificity
- Over 570 publications
Anti-beta Actin antibody [SP124] - Cytoskeleton Marker
- Validated for western blot, flow cytometry (intra), flow cytometry, IHC-P, ICC/IF
- Over 140 publications
Anti-Cytokeratin 8 antibody [EP1628Y] - Cytoskeleton Marker
- Validated for western blot, flow cytometry (intra), flow cytometry, IP, IHC-P, IHC-Fr, ICC/IF
- KO validated for confirmed specificity
- Over 130 publications
Anti-Desmin antibody [Y66] - Cytoskeleton Marker
- Validated for western blot, flow cytometry (intra), flow cytometry, IHC-P, ICC/IF
- 5-star rating
- Over 170 publications
Alexa Fluor® 647 Anti-alpha Tubulin antibody [EP1332Y] - Microtubule Marker
- Validated for ICC/IF
- 5-star rating
- Over 10 publications
Alexa Fluor® 488 Anti-beta Tubulin antibody [EPR16774] - Microtubule Marker
- Validated for ICC/IF
