The centrosome is an organelle that functions as the main microtubule organizing center (MTOC) of the cell and as a regulator of cell cycle progression. Centrosomes are found in higher eukaryotic cells, but not in fungi or plant cells, which use other structures to organize their microtubules. Each centrosome is made up of two centrioles surrounded by a mass of pericentriolar material (PCM), which contains the proteins that allow microtubule nucleation and anchoring. Generally, each centriole is a pinwheel of nine triplet microtubules. Cancer cells often have an abnormal number of centrosomes.

Centrosome marker antibodies can aid in the study of centrosome dynamics and structure. Centrosome marker antibodies can also help elucidate the role or roles a protein may play in a number of tasks that are centered in or influenced by the centrosomes. Invitrogen centrosome marker antibodies are designed to dependably detect the key centrosome targets. Each antibody is validated for use in various applications. Key centrosome marker targets include:

Applications

Immunofluorescence analysis of PLK1 was performed using 70% confluent log phase HeLa cells. The cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for 10 minutes, permeabilized with 0.1% Triton™ X-100 for 10 minutes, and blocked with 1% BSA for 1 hour at room temperature. The cells were labeled with PLK1 Mouse monoclonal Antibody (Cat. No. MA1-848) at 3µg/mL in 0.1% BSA and incubated for overnight at 4°C and then labeled with Goat anti-Mouse IgG (H+L) Superclonal Secondary Antibody, Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate (Cat. No. A28175) at a dilution of 1:2000 for 45 minutes at room temperature. Progression of cells through subsequent phases of the cell cycle results in differential localization of PLK1 in spindle poles, kinetochores and cleavage furrow. The images were captured at 60X magnification.

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human breast carcinoma stained with beta-catenin antibody

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human breast carcinoma stained with beta-catenin antibody (Cat. No. PA5-16762) using peroxidase-conjugate and AEC. Note membrane staining of tumor cells.

Resources

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.