Recombinant Human Vimentin

Vimentin expression in human malignant glioma cells depends on cellular density, algorithms of drug delivery and chemo/radio treatment. Vimentin and detyrosinated microtubules provide structural support for the extensive microtentacles observed in detached tumor cells and a mechanism to promote successful metastatic spread. Primary colorectal carcinomas display aberrant expression of vimentin, and have activated Notch and TGF beta signaling pathways. Vimentin is a strong arterial substrate for transglutaminases. Transglutaminase-mediated vimentin dimerization results in a novel unifying pathway by which vasodilatory and remodeling responses may be regulated. Ablation of vimentin expression inhibits migration and invasion of colon and breast cancer cell lines. Vimentin is the main intermediate filament protein in mesenchymal cells and is therefore of value in the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated neoplasms.

Lyophilized from a sterile filtered solution containing 30 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8 + 9.5 M urea + 2 mM EDTA + 2 mM DTT + 10 mM methylammonium chloride

After vimentin is dissolved in 9.5 M urea buffer, protofilaments and filament complexes are obtained by dialyzing the resulting polypeptide solution stepwise to a concentration of 4M urea and then to low salt condition (50 mM NaCl, 2 mM dithiothreitol, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4). For immunization purposes, the solution can be further dialyzed against PBS (phosphate buffered saline, e.g. Dulbecco's PBS).