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Histogenetic Probes and Diagnostic Aids

December 30th, 2007 by Mylo

Information on Histogenetic Probes and Diagnostic Aids:

Acquaporins
Acquaporins are water channel proteins found in the membranes along the nephron. These proteins allow you to recognize what part of the nephron you are visualizing, as different acquaporins are expressed differently along an individual nephron. Moreover, renal tumors can be revealed.

Acquaporin-1 - proximal renal tubule, descending thin limb of Henle’s loop
Acquaporin-2 - collecting ducts only

Actin
Actin is a contractile protein found in almost every cell. It allows for cell motility through changes in its shape. This is a marker of smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts. Striated muscle actin is used to define rhabdomyosarcoma.

Albumin
Albumin is an abundant extracellular protein, with numerous functions made within hepatocytes, in the liver. Hepatocellular and hepatoid carcinomas can be marked by albumin immunohistochemistry.

Vimentin
Vimentin is one of the cytoplasmic intermediate filaments. Found almost everywhere, it is mainly prominent in mesenchymal cells, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Because of its expression throughout many different cells, vimentin is often used as a positive control for the immunohistochemistry reaction.

WT-1
WT-1 is a transcription factor, found in Wilm’s Tumor (WT). WT-1 is also expressed in mesothelioma and mullerian epithelial neoplasms, such as ovarian serous carcinoma.

Z-protein
Found in the Z-band of striated muscle, the Z-protein can help mark rhabdomyosarcoma.