Anti-α-Tubulin Monoclonal Antibody (3G5) (ABL1080): Your Cytoskeleton Research Secret Weapon
α-Tubulin: The Unsung Hero of Experimental Consistency
Ask any cell biologist about the unsung heroes of experimental consistency, and α-tubulin will likely top the list. As a loading control in Western blots, a marker for microtubule integrity in immunofluorescence, or a proxy for cell cycle progression, this cytoskeletal protein is everywhere—but its detection often feels like a gamble[reference:105].
Monoclonal Powerhouse: The 3G5 Clone
ABL1080 is a monoclonal powerhouse built around the 3G5 clone—a specificity-obsessed workhorse that outperforms many polyclonal alternatives[reference:106]. Unlike generic antibodies that bind loosely to multiple tubulin isoforms, 3G5 zeroes in on a unique epitope in the α-tubulin C-terminal domain, minimizing cross-reactivity with β-tubulin, γ-tubulin, or other cytoskeletal proteins[reference:107].
Rigorous Quality Control
Each lot is tested against recombinant α/β-tubulin, with QC reports showing <0.5% cross-reactivity—way below the 2–5% you'll see in cheaper options[reference:108]. In WB, it detects as little as 10 ng of α-tubulin—enough to confirm loading even in low-protein samples[reference:109].
Crisp Immunofluorescence Staining
In immunofluorescence, 3G5 gives crisp, filamentous staining of microtubules—no more globular aggregates or cytoplasmic haze[reference:110]. The 3G5 clone's precision turns "maybe" into "definitely"[reference:111].
Product Specifications
| Parameter | ABL1080 |
|---|---|
| Target | α-Tubulin (TUBA1A)[reference:112] |
| Clone | 3G5[reference:113] |
| Host | Mouse[reference:114] |
| Applications | WB, IHC-P, IF, IP[reference:115] |
| Cross-reactivity | <0.5%[reference:116] |
| Sensitivity | 10 ng[reference:117] |
| Molecular Weight | ~55 kDa[reference:118] |
Pro Tips
- For immunofluorescence, use a 1:2000 dilution[reference:119]
- Compatible with both HRP and fluorescent conjugates[reference:120]
- Works in fixed and permeabilized cells[reference:121]
The Bottom Line
For anyone running multiplex assays, this antibody plays nice with others. Its moderate molecular weight avoids overlapping with common targets[reference:122]. That's the kind of versatile α-tubulin monoclonal that turns frustration into publication-ready data[reference:123].
📎 Reference: Anti-α-Tubulin Monoclonal Antibody (3G5) (ABL1080)
