CaMKII alpha Monoclonal Antibody (6G9), Invitrogen™

Description

MA1-048 detects CaM kinase II from rat and mouse tissues. This antibody has been shown to detect both the phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated alpha subunit of CaM kinase II only. MA1-048 does not detect the ∽60 kDa beta subunit in either phosphorylation state. MA1-048 has been successfully used in Western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation procedures. By Western blot, this antibody detects an ∽50 kDa protein representing the alpha subunit of CaM kinase II. Immunofluorescence staining of CaM kinase II in rat hippocampal cells with MA1-048 results in intense staining of cell somas and neuropil areas, while nuclei are only lightly stained. The MA1-048 immunogen is partially purified, rat CaM kinase II.

CAMK2A (CaMKII alpha) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates a number of cellular functions including neuronal processes, gene expression, carbohydrate metabolism, cytoskeletal function, and calcium homeostatsis. Autophosphorylation of threonine 286 in the presence of Ca2+ and calmodulin activates CAMK2A with the ability to switch from calmodulin-dependent to a calmodulin independent activity. CaMKII is an ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine protein kinase that is activated by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) binding and autophosphorylation and has been implicated in regulation of the cell cycle and transcription. It is involved in dendritic spine and synapse formation, neuronal plasticity and regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport in skeletal muscle. In neurons, plays an essential structural role in the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton during plasticity by binding and bundling actin filaments in a kinase-independent manner.