This antibody recognizes actin of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle cells. It is not reactive with other mesenchymal cells except for myoepithelium. Actin can be resolved on the basis of its isoelectric points into three distinctive components: alpha, beta, and gamma in order of increasing isoelectric point. Anti-muscle specific actin recognizes alpha and gamma isotypes of all muscle groups. Non-muscle cells such as vascular endothelial cells and connective tissues are non-reactive. Also, neoplastic cells of non-muscle-derived tissue such as carcinomas, melanomas, and lymphomas are negative. It stains tumors of smooth muscle (leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas) as well as skeletal muscle (rhabdomyomas and rhabdomyosarcomas).

Optimal dilution of the pan Muscle Actin antibody cocktail should be determined by the researcher.

1. Staining of formalin-fixed tissues requires boiling tissue sections in pH 9 10mM Tris with 1mM EDTA for 10-20 min followed by cooling at RT for 20 min.2. The prediluted format is supplied in a dropper bottle and is optimized for use in IHC. After epitope retrieval step (if required), drip mAb solution onto the tissue section and incubate at RT for 30 min.

Recombinant human actin fragment was used as the immunogen for the pan Muscle Actin antibody cocktail.

Store the pan Muscle Actin antibody cocktail at 2-8oC (with azide) or aliquot and store at -20oC or colder (without azide).