![Anti-Beta Actin Antibody [A2-F6] - Loading control](/images/no-image-product-box.jpg)
Beta-actin (human gene and protein abbreviation ACTB/ACTB) is one of six different actin isoforms which have been identified in humans. This is one of the two nonmuscle cytoskeletal actins. Actins are highly conserved proteins[5][6] that are involved in cell motility, structure and integrity. Alpha actins are a major constituent of the contractile apparatus. Beta-actin has been shown to interact with SPTBN2. In addition, RNA-binding protein Sam68 was found to interact with the mRNA encoding β-actin, which regulates the synaptic formation of the dendritic spines with its cytoskeletal components. Beta-actin has been shown to activate eNOS, thereby increasing NO production. An eight-amino acid residue (326-333) in actin has been shown to mediate the interaction between actin and eNOS. Recurrent mutations in this gene have been associated to cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Beta actin is often used in Western blotting as a loading control, to normalize total protein amounts and check for eventual protein degradation in the samples. Its transcript is also commonly used as a housekeeping gene standard in qPCR. Its molecular weight is approximately 42 kDa.
