2015 was marked by the increasing number of studies related to cellular cytoskeletal dynamics. In this context, it should be noted that the new generation of live cell-imaging SiR-Actin & SiR-Tubulin stains have been widely embraced by Life Scientists. Launched a few months ago, these fluorescent probes are now regularly cited in the “Material & Methods” section of numerous prestigious publications as indicated by Ali (see his the posts “Live cell imaging tool SiR-actin on JBC frontcover” and “User experience of SiR-Actin and SiR-Tubulin Live Cell Imaging“).
Nevertheless, cytoskeletal interactions are still widely studied in “fixed” cells. In the same manner as for live cell-imaging, these experimental assays require high quality reagents too. With the help of our friends from Cystoskeleton Inc., we have selected 9 premium research tools validated for actin visualization in PFA-fixed cells.
Premium reagents for actin visualization in fixed cells
Acti-stains and Rhodamine Phalloidin bind only to F-actin resulting in low background fluorescence. They are ideal for fine observation of the structure of the cellular cytoskeleton.
We’ve also added to this list 5 popular Small G protein modulators, known to heavily regulate actin. They perfectly complement fluorescent Actin stains to further see cytoskeletal intimate interactions and structures as depicted in the images below.
- Acti-stain™ 488 phalloidin (cat. nr PHDG1-A) – Ex/Em Wavelengths: 485/535 FITC filter set
- Acti-stain™ 555 phalloidin (cat. nr PHDH1-A) – Ex/Em Wavelengths: 535/585 TRITC filter set
- Acti-stain™ 670 phalloidin (cat. nr PHDN1-A) – Ex/Em Wavelengths: 640/680 Cy5 filter set
- Rhodamine Phalloidin (cat. nr PHDR1) – a 7aa peptide toxin from Amanita phalloides with high affinity binding capacities to F-actin conjugated with Rhodamine
- Rho Activator (cat. nr CN01) – for effective RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC activation.
- Rac & Cdc42 Activator (cat. nr CN02) – for potent Rac1, Rac2, Rac3 and Cdc42 activation.
- Rho Activator II (cat. nr CN03) – activation of Rho GTPase isoforms by deamidating glutamine-63.
- Rho/Rac/Cdc42 Activator I (cat. nr CN04) – Rho GTPase isoforms activation by deamidating glutamine-63 of Rho & glutamine-61 of Rac and Cdc42 in their respective Switch II regions
- Cell Permeable Rho Inhibitor (cat. nr CT04) – selective inactivation of GTPases RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC
See cytoskeletal details in fixed cells
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