α-lactalbumin Antibody (F20.16): sc-53151

α-lactalbumin Antibody (F20.16) is a mouse monoclonal IgM antibody that detects α-lactalbumin in human samples through applications such as western blotting (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). α-lactalbumin is a crucial component of lactose synthetase, secreted by mammary epithelial cells, and plays a significant role in lactation and immune function. α-lactalbumin not only elevates calcium levels and induces apoptosis in certain cell types but also exhibits selective cytotoxicity, effectively targeting transformed, embryonic, and lymphoid cells while sparing mature epithelial cells. This selective action suggests that α-lactalbumin contributes to mucosal immunity by providing antimicrobial properties and regulating lymphocyte and epithelial cell functions. Furthermore, α-lactalbumin′s structure, consisting of 123 amino acid residues, is essential for biological activity, as α-lactalbumin allows for specific interactions with calcium ions and other proteins, which are vital for milk production and immune modulation. Notably, the highly conserved region in the 5′ flanking sequences of the α-lactalbumin genes indicates a potential regulatory mechanism in the hormonal control and tissue-specific expression of milk protein genes within the mammary gland, underscoring the importance of α-lactalbumin in both lactation and immune defense.

The preferred α-lactalbumin antibody is α-lactalbumin Antibody (H-1): sc-393900.