Alpha-tubulin, a core component of microtubules, plays critical roles in maintaining cell structure, facilitating intracellular transport, and regulating cell division. In zebrafish (*Danio rerio*), a widely used vertebrate model for developmental and genetic studies, alpha-tubulin is essential for processes like embryogenesis, neurogenesis, and organogenesis. The zebrafish-specific alpha-tubulin antibody is designed to recognize and bind to epitopes unique to zebrafish alpha-tubulin isoforms, minimizing cross-reactivity with homologs from other species. This specificity is crucial for accurate detection in experiments involving zebrafish tissues or cells, particularly given the high conservation of tubulin across eukaryotes.
Developed through immunogen sequences derived from zebrafish alpha-tubulin, the antibody is validated for applications such as immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. It enables visualization of microtubule dynamics in vivo, aiding studies on cell polarity, axon guidance, and cilia formation during zebrafish development. Researchers frequently use it in whole-mount embryo staining to map microtubule networks in real-time, leveraging the transparency of zebrafish larvae.
Its utility extends to disease modeling, including ciliopathies or neurodevelopmental disorders, where microtubule dysfunction is implicated. Commercial variants often include monoclonal or polyclonal formats, with host species like mouse or rabbit. Proper controls, such as knockout validation, are recommended to confirm signal specificity. This antibody remains a vital tool for dissecting microtubule-related mechanisms in zebrafish, bridging cellular biology with organismal-level insights.