Anti-ALK Antibody Picoband®

Overview

Anti-ALK Antibody Picoband® is an antibody targeting ALK. Common applications include WB, IHC, Flow Cytometry, ELISA. Key specifications include host: Rabbit; clonality: Polyclonal; isotype: Rabbit IgG; reactivity: Human,Mouse,Rat; observed MW: 65 kDa; calculated MW: 176442 MW.

Boster Bio Anti-ALK Antibody catalog # PA1741. Tested in IHC, WB applications. This antibody reacts with Human, Mouse, Rat. The brand Picoband indicates this is a premium antibody that guarantees superior quality, high affinity, and strong signals with minimal background in Western blot applications. Only our best-performing antibodies are designated as Picoband, ensuring unmatched performance.

Key elements and design rationale

• Target: ALK — ALK tyrosine kinase receptor
• Antibody format: Host: Rabbit; Clonality: Polyclonal; Isotype: Rabbit IgG
• Species reactivity: Human,Mouse,Rat
• Molecular weight guidance: Observed: 65 kDa; Calculated: 176442 MW

Specificity note: No cross reactivity with other proteins.

Biological background

Protein function (datasheet): Neuronal orphan receptor tyrosine kinase that is essentially and transiently expressed in specific regions of the central and peripheral nervous systems and plays an important role in the genesis and differentiation of the nervous system. Transduces signals from ligands at the cell surface, through specific activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Phosphorylates almost exclusively at the first tyrosine of the Y-x-x-x-Y-Y motif. Following activation by ligand, ALK induces tyrosine phosphorylation of CBL, FRS2, IRS1 and SHC1, as well as of the MAP kinases MAPK1/ERK2 and MAPK3/ERK1. Acts as a receptor for ligands pleiotrophin (PTN), a secreted growth factor, and midkine (MDK), a PTN-related factor, thus participating in PTN and MDK signal transduction. PTN-binding induces MAPK pathway activation, which is important for the anti-apoptotic signaling of PTN and regulation of cell proliferation. MDK-binding induces phosphorylation of the ALK target insulin receptor substrate (IRS1), activates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and PI3-kinase, resulting also in cell proliferation induction. Drives NF-kappa-B activation, probably through IRS1 and the activation of the AKT serine/threonine kinase. Recruitment of IRS1 to activated ALK and the activation of NF-kappa-B are essential for the autocrine growth and survival signaling of MDK. .

Scientific background (datasheet): ALK (Anaplastic lymphoma kinase) also known as ALK tyrosine kinase receptor or CD246 (cluster of differentiation 246) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ALK gene. The ALK gene is mapped on 2p23.2-p23.1. Expressed in the small intestine, testis, and brain but not in normal lymphoid cells, ALK shows greatest sequence similarity to the insulin receptor subfamily of kinases. ALK plays an important role in the development of the brain and exerts its effects on specific neurons in the nervous system. The deduced amino acid sequences reveal that ALK is a novel receptor tyrosine kinase having a putative transmembrane domain and an extracellular domain. In Drosophila, localized Jeb activates Alk and the downstream Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade to specify a select group of visceral muscle precursors as muscle-patterning pioneers. Functional RNA interference screening on a set of these transcriptional targets revealed that CEBPB and BCL2A1 were absolutely necessary to induce cell transformation and/or to sustain growth and survival of ALK-positive ALCL cells. One particularly informative case presented a high-level gene amplification that was strictly limited to ALK, indicating that this gene may contribute on its own to neuroblastoma development. Mutated ALK proteins were overexpressed, hyperphosphorylated, and showed constitutive kinase activity. The knockdown of ALK expression in ALK-mutated cells, but also in cell lines overexpressing a wildtype ALK, led to a marked decrease of cell proliferation.

Cellular localization (datasheet): Cell membrane ; Single-pass type I membrane protein . Membrane attachment was crucial for promotion of neuron-like differentiation and cell proliferation arrest through specific activation of the MAP kinase pathway.

Tissue details (datasheet): Expressed in brain and CNS. Also expressed in the small intestine and testis, but not in normal lymphoid cells. .

Sequence similarities (datasheet): Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. Tyr protein kinase family. Insulin receptor subfamily.

Research relevance and current trends

• Commonly studied in contexts related to Cancer,Cell Type Marker,Cell Type Markers,Intracellular Signaling,Kinases,Neuron Marker,Neuroscience,Neurotransmission,Oncoproteins,Oncoproteins/Suppressors,Receptors / Channels,Tags & Cell Markers,Tumor Associated.
• Supports comparative expression analysis across conditions, genotypes, or treatments when paired with appropriate controls.
• Useful for confirming target presence and subcellular distribution using orthogonal readouts (e.g., microscopy vs. immunoblotting).

Common research applications

• Western blot (WB): Compare relative target abundance and apparent size/isoforms across samples; interpret bands in light of expected MW and potential PTMs.
• ELISA: Measure target abundance in compatible matrices using a standard-curve readout; ensure dilution linearity and appropriate controls.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Assess tissue distribution and cell-type patterns; interpret staining with appropriate negative controls and antigen context.
• Flow cytometry: Quantify target-positive populations in single-cell suspensions; pair with viability and isotype/FMO controls conceptually.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Consider isoforms, post-translational modifications, and processing that can shift apparent molecular weight or localization.
• Cross-reactivity (datasheet): No cross-reactivity with other proteins
• Use appropriate positive and negative controls (e.g., KO/KD, blocking peptide, or isotype controls) to support specificity interpretation.

As a polyclonal antibody, this reagent may recognize multiple epitopes on the target, which can improve detection robustness but may require careful specificity controls.

Customization & Add-ons: Can’t find the antibody you need—or require a custom format for your assay? We can help you source the best match or support custom antibody solutions for diverse research needs, including species and isotype selection, conjugations and labeling (e.g., HRP/AP, biotin, fluorophores), purification grade options (Protein A/G, affinity purified), formulation preferences (buffer selection, carrier-free, glycerol-free), custom concentrations and aliquoting, low-endotoxin options for cell-based work, and application-focused QC/validation support (project dependent). Click Talk to a Scientist to submit a request, email us at support@biohippo.com, or explore our Research Services for additional support—our team will follow up with feasibility details and next steps.