Anti-CD146/MCAM Antibody Picoband® (monoclonal, 4C12)

Overview

Anti-CD146/MCAM Antibody Picoband® (monoclonal, 4C12) is an antibody for MCAM detection raised in Mouse (Monoclonal, clone Clone: 4C12, Mouse IgG2a), with reported reactivity: Human. Commonly used in WB, IHC, IHC-F, Flow Cytometry, ELISA workflows.

Key elements and design rationale

• Target: MCAM (melanoma cell adhesion molecule); UniProt: P43121
• Antibody format: Mouse, Monoclonal, clone Clone: 4C12, Mouse IgG2a
• Molecular weight: 120 kDa
• Applications: WB, IHC, IHC-F, Flow Cytometry, ELISA

Vendor description (summary): Boster Bio Anti-CD146/MCAM Antibody Picoband® (monoclonal, 4C12) catalog # M01683-3.

Biological background

Biological context: Plays a role in cell adhesion, and in cohesion of the endothelial monolayer at intercellular junctions in vascular tissue. Its expression may allow melanoma cells to interact with cellular elements of the vascular system, thereby enhancing hematogeneous tumor spread. Could be an adhesion molecule active in neural crest cells during embryonic development. Acts as surface receptor that triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of FYN and PTK2/FAK1, and a transient increase in the intracellular calcium concentration.

Expression and localization notes: cellular localization: Membrane. Single-pass type I membrane protein., tissue context: Detected in endothelial cells in vascular tissue throughout the body. May appear at the surface of neural crest cells during their embryonic migration. Appears to be limited to vascular smooth muscle in normal adult tissues. Associated with tumor progression and the development of metastasis in human malignant melanoma. Expressed most strongly on metastatic lesions and advanced primary tumors and is only rarely detected in benign melanocytic nevi and thin primary melanomas with a low probability of metastasis..

Common research applications

• Western blotting (WB): Compare MCAM levels across samples and conditions using appropriate loading and biological controls.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Evaluate spatial distribution of MCAM in tissue sections, considering fixation and antigen retrieval effects.
• Flow cytometry: Quantify MCAM-positive populations in single-cell suspensions with appropriate gating and controls.
• ELISA: Use antibody-based detection formats to assess antigen presence or binding in plate-based assays.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Account for isoforms, post-translational modifications, and sample-specific processing that can shift apparent molecular weight or epitope accessibility.
• Use positive/negative biological controls where possible (e.g., known-expressing cells/tissues, knockdown/knockout models) and include appropriate secondary-only/isotype controls for imaging workflows.

Additional product notes (from provided fields)

• Specificity: No cross reactivity with other proteins.
• Background: CD146 (cluster of differentiation 146), also known as the melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM) or cell surface glycoprotein MUC18, is a 113kDa cell adhesion molecule currently used as a marker for endothelial cell lineage. MCAM, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is homologous to several cell adhesion molecules and is associated with tumor progression and the development of metastasis in human malignant melanoma. By radiation hybrid analysis, this gene is mapped to chromosome 11q23.3. MCAM has been demonstrated to appear on a small subset of T and B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals. MCAM has been seen as a marker for mesenchymal stem cells isolated from multiple adult and fetal organs, and its expression may be linked to multipotency mesenchymal stem cells with greater differentiation potential express higher levels of MCAM on the cell surface.
• Cross reactivity: No cross-reactivity with other proteins.
• Cellular localization: Membrane. Single-pass type I membrane protein.
• Tissue details: Detected in endothelial cells in vascular tissue throughout the body. May appear at the surface of neural crest cells during their embryonic migration. Appears to be limited to vascular smooth muscle in normal adult tissues. Associated with tumor progression and the development of metastasis in human malignant melanoma. Expressed most strongly on metastatic lesions and advanced primary tumors and is only rarely detected in benign melanocytic nevi and thin primary melanomas with a low probability of metastasis.
• Research category: Actin Binding Proteins,Actin, etc.,Cytoskeleton,Cytoskeleton/ECM,Microfilaments,Signal Transduction

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.