Description
The TEU318 antibody reacts with the acetylated form of alpha-tubulin, which is a 55 kDa protein. In eukaryotic cells, alpha- and beta-tubulins associate to form heterodimers and are the key building blocks of microtubules. These microtubules are filamentous, cylinder-like cytoskeletal structural support elements of eukaryotic cells. The stability of these microtubules can be altered by post-translational modifications, such as the acetylation of alpha-tubulin. Acetyl groups can be added to Lys40 of alpha-tubulin by acetyltransferase alpha-Tat1 (Mec-17), and this post-translational modification can aid in stabilizing the overall microtubule structure. Research indicates that acetylated tubulin may play a critical role in the differentiation of microtubule structure and function.