hi
i intend to perform actin staining as well as focal adhesion staining of my cells. I am pretty new to research work. Focal adhesions are composed of several proteins in 1 complex. Which components are the best to showcase actin and focal adhesion staining?
please advise.
Classic markers for labeling focal adhesions include Vinculin and Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), but any of a number of other proteins also are good markers for these complexes. Focal adhesions have different properties based on their size and maturity so depending on your precise research question, you might need to use other markers that label specific subsets of focal adhesions.
Stress fibers are primarily made of actin, so phalloidin or an actin antibody that is good for immunolabeling are both excellent options. One can apply fluorescently labeled phalloidin to the cells as if it were a secondary antibody and get excellent labeling very quickly. Italso works very well in combination with vinculin or FAK.
Good luck.
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