Human/Rat Vinculin Antibody

VCL (Vinculin; from the Latin vinculum denoting a union or connection) is a 115-120 kDa cytoplasmic member of the vinculin/ alpha-catenin family of proteins. The VCL gene is ubiquitously expressed and generates a series of globular domains whose N-and C-terminal globular regions self-associate to generate an inactive molecule. When at least two ligands bind to the molecule, it opens up, allowing for the formation of multiple complexes that impact both signaling and cell structure. Among other things, VCL is known to regulate the expression of E-cadherin, and to connect actin to integrins via talin. Human VCL is 1134 amino acids (aa) in length, and at this size, is commonly known as metavinculin. It contains an 835 aa N-terminal globular head that binds talin, beta- and alpha-catenin, followed by a Pro-rich linker segment (aa 836-878) and a 27-29 kDa C-terminal tail that binds lipids plus paxillin and PKC alpha (aa 879-1134). At least seven utilized phosphorylation sites exist. There are three potential splice variants. One shows a deletion of aa 916-983 and is called vinculin. A second contains an alternative start site at Met74, and again possesses a deletion of aa 916-983. A third shows a 34 aa substitution for aa 262‑1134. Over the range of aa used as the immunogen for this reagent (aa 1020-1134 in metavinculin; 952-1066 in vinculin), human and mouse VCL are identical in aa sequence.