| Description: | Spectrin is an actin binding protein that is a major component of the plasma membrane skeleton. Spectrins function as membrane organizers and stabilizers by forming dimers, tetramers and higher polymers. Vertebrate spectrins have two alpha-subunits (alpha-I/alpha-II) four beta-subunits (beta-I-beta-IV) and a beta-H subunit creating diversity and specialization of function. Spectrin and spectrin are present in erythrocytes, whereas spectrin II (also designated fodrin ) and spectrin I (also designated fodrin ) are present in other somatic cells. The spectrin tetramers in erythrocytes act as barriers to lateral diffusion, but spectrin dimers seem to lack this function. Spectrin III is highly homologous to both spectrin I and spectrin II. Spectrin III is highly expressed in brain, kidney, pancreas and liver, and at lower levels in lung and placenta. Spectrin beta 3 is primarily expressed in nervous tissues with highest expression levels in the cerebellum, where it is found in Purkinje cell soma and dendrites. Primary antibodies are available purified, or with a selection of fluorescent CF� Dyes and other labels. CF� Dyes offer exceptional brightness and photostability. Note: Conjugates of blue fluorescent dyes like CF�405S and CF�405M are not recommended for detecting low abundance targets, because blue dyes have lower fluorescence and can give higher non-specific background than other dye colors. |
