Description
GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein) is the major protein of glial filaments in differentiated astrocytes. BD Biosciences Pharmingen offers a panel of monoclonal antibodies (4A11, 1B4, 2E1) that specifically recognize GFAP. They do not cross-react with other intermediate filaments such as vimentin, neurofilament proteins, desmin, keratin, neurotubules or microfilaments. Clone 4A11 is specific for GFAP. Bovine spinal cord homogenate was used as immunogen. This antibody has broad species reactivity, recognizing GFAP in brain homogenates from human, mouse, rat, bovine, ovine, canine, porcine, rabbit, guinea pig and chicken. 4A11 is particularly useful for identifying GFAP in immunohistochemistry of frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissue sections. Additional applications include western blot analysis and indirect immunofluorescence of tissue-cultured cells. BD Biosciences Pharmingen offers additional GFAP specific antibodies: clone 2E1 (Cat. No. 556329), 1B4 (Cat. No. 556328), and clones 1B4, 4A11, 2E1 combined and available as a "cocktail" (Cat. No. 556330).
Applications include immunohistochemical staining of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded brain tissue sections (25 µg/ml). Other applications not routinely tested at BD Biosciences Pharmingen include indirect immunofluorescence of tissue-cultured cells and western blot analysis (1-2 µg/ml). Rat brain is suggested as a positive control.
Store undiluted at 4°C. The monoclonal antibody was purified from tissue culture supernatant or ascites by affinity chromatography.
1. Since applications vary, each investigator should titrate the reagent to obtain optimal results.
2. An isotype control should be used at the same concentration as the antibody of interest.
3. Caution: Sodium azide yields highly toxic hydrazoic acid under acidic conditions. Dilute azide compounds in running water before discarding to avoid accumulation of potentially explosive deposits in plumbing.
4. Please refer to http://regdocs.bd.com to access safety data sheets (SDS).
5. Sodium azide is a reversible inhibitor of oxidative metabolism; therefore, antibody preparations containing this preservative agent must not be used in cell cultures nor injected into animals. Sodium azide may be removed by washing stained cells or plate-bound antibody or dialyzing soluble antibody in sodium azide-free buffer. Since endotoxin may also affect the results of functional studies, we recommend the NA/LE (No Azide/Low Endotoxin) antibody format, if available, for in vitro and in vivo use.
6. Species cross-reactivity detected in product development may not have been confirmed on every format and/or application.
7. Please refer to www.bdbiosciences.com/us/s/resources for technical protocols.
