Antigen/Purification: Collapse
The antigen is a recombinant construct containing the seventh, eighth and ninth repeats of human alpha II spectrin expressed in and purified from E. Coli.
The antibody is Protein G purified from culture supernatant.
Biological Significance: Collapse
The spectrin family of cytoskeletal proteins is comprised of 2 alpha genes (α1 and α2) and five beta genes (β1-β5). Spectrins have been shown to function as scaffolding proteins in mechanical support of the plasma membrane as well as bind other membrane proteins and lipids (Bennett and Baines 2001). Defects in spectrin genes have been linked to some forms of hereditary spherocytosis, a type of auto-hemolytic anemia which is characterized by spherical red blood cells that are more prone to lysis (Eber and Lux 2004).
Storage
100 µl in PBS + 10 mM sodium azide.
For long term storage –20° C is recommended in undiluted aliquots. Stable at –20° C for at least 1 year. Avoid freeze/thaw cycles.
References
Bennett V & Baines AJ.(2001) Spectrin and ankyrin-based pathways: metazoan inventions for integrating cells into tissues. Physiol Rev. 81:1353-92.
Eber S & Lux SE. (2004) Hereditary spherocytosis–defects in proteins that connect the membrane skeleton to the lipid bilayer. Semin Hematol 41:118-41.
