Actin Muscle Specific (HHF35), MMab

Intended Use

For In Vitro Diagnostic Use

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Actin is a globular-structural, 345 kDa protein that polymerizes in a helical fashion to form an actin filament (or microfilament). Actin filaments provide mechanical support for the cell, determine the cell shape, enable cell movements (through lamellipodia, filopodia, or pseudopodia); and participate in certain cell junctions, in cytoplasmic streaming and in contraction of the cell during cytokinesis. In muscle cells they play an essential role, along with myosin, in muscle contraction. In the cytosol, actin is predominantly bound to ATP, but can also bind to ADP. This antibody recognizes actin of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth-muscle cells. It is not reactive with other mesenchymal cells except for myoepithelium. Muscle-Specific Actin recognizes alpha and gamma isotypes of all muscle groups. Non-muscle cells such as vascular endothelial cells and connective tissues are nonreactive. Neoplastic cells of non-muscle-derived tissue such as Carcinomas, Melanomas and Lymphomas are negative. This antibody is useful in the identification of rhabdoid cellular elements.