FRL1 Antibody

Definition and Function

The FRL1 Antibody is a polyclonal rabbit antibody targeting FMNL1 (Formin-like 1), a cytoplasmic formin protein critical for actin cytoskeleton dynamics, cell adhesion, and migration. FMNL1 is highly expressed in immune cells, including macrophages, where it regulates podosome formation—actin-rich adhesion structures involved in tissue invasion and immune surveillance .

Key Properties

Key Studies

1. Podosome Dynamics

   • FMNL1 Localization: Endogenous FRL1 co-localizes with β3 integrin in podosome cores, essential for actin bundling and stabilization .

   • siRNA Knockdown: Loss of FMNL1 reduces podosome number by 33–65% and increases average podosome size, indicating disrupted actin organization .

   • Adhesion Defects: FMNL1 depletion correlates with reduced macrophage adhesion (up to 45% decrease) .

2. Actin Regulation

   • Bundling Activity: FMNL1 may bundle actin filaments, counteracting severing processes to maintain podosome integrity .

   • Isoform-Specific Expression: Macrophages express FMNL1α and FMNL1γ isoforms, but not FMNL1β .

Optimized Protocols

Critical Considerations

1. Molecular Weight Discrepancy

   • Observed MW varies between 68 kDa (Boster) and 121 kDa (VWR), likely due to isoform differences or post-translational modifications .

2. Species Specificity

   • Validated for human, mouse, and rat samples; no data on other species .

3. Storage Stability

   • Stable at 4°C for 3 months or –20°C for 1 year; avoid freeze-thaw cycles .