Description_x000D_ General description_x000D_ Microphthalmia (Mi in mouse or MITF in human) is a basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (BHLH–ZIP) transcription factor involved in the differentiation, development and survival of melanocytes and cells of the retinal pigment epithelium, i.e. cells responsible for hair, skin, and eye color. It activates the expression of the melanocyte specific genes tyrosinase and TRP1 (tyrosinase-related protein 1) by binding as a homo- or heterodimer to a symmetrical DNA sequence (E box) (5′-CATGTG-3′) located within the M box found in their promoters. Microphthalmia also appears to be involved in the differentiation of mast cells, osteoclasts, basophils and natural killer cells._x000D_ Microphthalmia is expressed in a limited number of cell types including heart, mast cells, osteoclast precursors, and melanocytes. There are a number of different isoforms of microphthalmia resulting from alternative splicing and alternative promotors. These isoforms differ at their amino-termini and in their expression patterns._x000D_ Mouse monoclonal clone C5 anti-Microphthalmia antibody recognizes serine phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated melanocytic isoforms of microphthalmia from human, mouse or rat._x000D_ Immunogen_x000D_ N-terminal fragment of human microphthalmia protein._x000D_ Application_x000D_ Applications in which this antibody has been used successfully, and the associated peer-reviewed papers, are given below._x000D_ Western Blotting (1 paper)_x000D_ Mouse monoclonal clone C5 anti-Microphthalmia antibody is used to tag serine phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated melanocytic isoforms of microphthalmia for detection and quantitation by techniques such as immunoblotting (doublet of 52-56 kDa), immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded or frozen tissue sections, and gel shift. It is used as a probe to determine the roles of microphthalmia in the differentiation, development and survival of melanocytes and cells of the retinal pigment epithelium._x000D_ Physical form_x000D_ Solution in phosphate buffered saline containing 0.08% sodium azide._x000D_ Disclaimer_x000D_ Unless otherwise stated in our catalog or other company documentation accompanying the product(s), our products are intended for research use only and are not to be used for any other purpose, which includes but is not limited to, unauthorized commercial uses, in vitro diagnostic uses, ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic uses or any type of consumption or application to humans or animals.