Vimentin [J144]

J144

Human rhabdosarcoma cell line JR1.

Detects the intermediate filament protein vimentin. The antibody gives a positive reaction with connective tissue endothelial cells vascular smooth muscle cells and astrocytes.

Cytoplasmic

Phosphate buffered saline

Cytoplasmic Vimentin is the major subunit protein of the intermediate filaments of mesenchymal cells. It is believed to be involved with the intracellular transport of proteins between the nucleus and plasma membrane. Vimentin has been implicated to be involved in the rate of steroid synthesis via its role as a storage network for steroidogenic cholesterol containing lipid droplets. Vimentin phosphorylation by a protein kinase causes the breakdown of intermediate filaments and activation of an ATP and myosin light chain dependent contractile event. This results in cytoskeletal changes that facilitate the interaction of the lipid droplets within mitochondria and subsequent transport of cholesterol to the organelles leading to an increase in steroid synthesis. Immunohistochemical staining for Vimentin is characteristic of sarcomas (of neural muscle and fibroblast origin) compared to carcinomas which are generally negative. Melanomas lymphomas and vascular tumors may all stain for Vimentin. Vimentin antibodies are thus of value in the differential diagnosis of malignant tumors generally used with a panel of other antibodies including those recognising cytokeratins lymphoid markers S100 desmin and neurofilaments.

Homopolymer. Component of a complex composed at least of ACTB AP2M1 AP2A1 AP2A2 MEGF10 and VIM. Interacts with HCV core protein.

One of the most prominent phosphoproteins in various cells of mesenchymal origin. Phosphorylation is enhanced during cell division at which time vimentin filaments are significantly reorganized.