Anti-Plectin Antibody Picoband®

Overview

This antibody is intended for detection of PLEC (Plectin) in biological samples using common immunoassay formats. It is typically selected based on target identity, species reactivity, clonality/clone information, and detection modality.

Vendor notes: Boster Bio Anti-Plectin Antibody Picoband® catalog # PB9430. Tested in IF, IHC, ICC, 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

• Antibody format: Rabbit Polyclonal Rabbit IgG
• Immunogen / epitope context: A synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence in the middle region of human Plectin, different from the related mouse sequence by one amino acid, and from the related rat sequence by two amino acids.
• Molecular weight context: reported MW: 532 kDa; calculated MW: 531791 MW
• Reactivity: Human,Mouse,Rat
• Applications: IF, IHC, ICC, WB

As a polyclonal antibody, the reagent recognizes multiple epitopes on the target, which can improve detection robustness but may increase sensitivity to sample-dependent epitope changes.

Biological background

Plectin; Plectin. Plectin, known as PLEC, is a prominent member of an important family of structurally and in part functionally related proteins, termed plakins or cytolinkers, that are capable of interlinking different elements of the cytoskeleton. Plakins, with their multi-domain structure and enormous size, not only play crucial roles in maintaining cell and tissue integrity and orchestrating dynamic changes in cytoarchitecture and cell shape, but also serve as scaffolding platforms for the assembly, positioning, and regulation of signaling complexes. Plectin is expressed as several protein isoforms in a wide range of cell types and tissues from a single gene located on chromosome 8 in humans. The plectin gene locus in mouse on chromosome 15 has been analyzed in detail, revealing a genomic exon-intron organization with well over 40 exons spanning over 62 kb and an unusual 5' transcript complexity of plectin isoforms. Eleven exons (1-1j) have been identified that alternatively splice ly into a common exon 2 which is the first exon to encode plectin's highly conserved actin binding domain (ABD). Three additional exons (-1, 0a, and 0) splice into an alternative first coding exon (1c), and two additional exons (2alpha and 3alpha) are optionally spliced within the exons encoding the acting binding domain (exons 2-8). Analysis of the human locus has identified eight of the eleven alternative 5' exons found in mouse and rat; exons 1i, 1j and 1h have not been confirmed in human. Furthermore, isoforms lacking the central rod domain encoded by exon 31 have been detected in mouse, rat, and human. The short alternative amino-terminal sequences encoded by the different first exons the targeting of the various isoforms to distinct subcellular locations. As the expression of specific plectin isoforms was found to be dependent on cell type (tissue) and stage of development, it appears that each cell type (tissue) contains a unique set (proportion and composition) of plectin isoforms, as if custom-made for specific requirements of the particular cells. Concordantly, individual isoforms were found to carry out distinct and specific functions. Functional note: Interlinks intermediate filaments with microtubules and microfilaments and anchors intermediate filaments to desmosomes or hemidesmosomes. Could also bind muscle proteins such as actin to membrane complexes in muscle. May be involved not only in the filaments network, but also in the regulation of their dynamics. Structural component of muscle. Isoform 9 plays a major role in the maintenance of myofibers integrity. . Reported localization: Cytoplasm, cytoskeleton . Cell junction, hemidesmosome . Expression/tissue context: Widely expressed with highest levels in muscle, heart, placenta and spinal cord.

Research relevance and current trends

• Cytoskeleton: Researchers commonly examine how PLEC (Plectin) relates to this theme using model systems and orthogonal readouts.
• Cytoskeleton/ECM: Researchers commonly examine how PLEC (Plectin) relates to this theme using model systems and orthogonal readouts.
• Intermediate Filaments: Researchers commonly examine how PLEC (Plectin) relates to this theme using model systems and orthogonal readouts.

Common research applications

• Western blotting: compare relative PLEC (Plectin) levels across conditions; band patterns may reflect isoforms and processing.
• IHC/IHC-F: assess spatial distribution of PLEC (Plectin) across tissue regions and cell types using matched controls.
• IF/ICC: evaluate subcellular localization and co-localization patterns; signal can depend on fixation/permeabilization and epitope accessibility.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Specificity notes: No cross reactivity with other proteins.
• Cross-reactivity: No cross-reactivity with other proteins
• Family / similarity context: Belongs to the plakin or cytolinker family.
• Isoforms and PTMs: Apparent size and signal patterns can differ across splice isoforms, proteolytic processing, and post-translational modifications.
• Controls: Include an isotype control (as relevant), no-primary control for imaging, and orthogonal validation such as KD/KO samples when available.

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.