Beta actin is one of six actin isoforms which have been identified. Beta actin is
a non-muscle cytoskeletal protein in all human cell types and is involved in cell
motility, structure, and integrity. There are six different actin isoforms in human.
The beta isoform of actin, along with gamma actin, coexist in most cell types as
components of the cyto-skeleton. Beta-actins are cytoplasmic proteins ubuquitously
expressed in all eukaryotic cells. Polymerization of globular actin (G-actin) leads
to a structural filament (F-actin) in the form of two stranded helix.
Actins are highly conserved proteins that are involved in cell mobility, structure
and integrity. Because beta actin is ubiquitously expressed in all eukaryotic cells,
it is frequently used as a loading control for assays involving protein detection,
such as Western blotting. Antibodies to beta-actin provide a specific and useful
tool in studying the intracellular distribution of beta-actin and the static and
dynamic aspects of the cytoskeleton.
