Tight junctions are complexes of proteins that create intercellular boundaries between the plasma membrane domains of epithelial and endothelial cells. Many of the tight junction-associated proteins are members of the membrane associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family and include occludin and zona occludin family members ZO-1, ZO-2 and ZO-3. These proteins are thought to have both structural and signaling roles, and are characteristically defined by three protein-protein interaction modules: the PDZ domain, the SH3 domain and the guanylate kinase (GuK) domain. ZO-1 forms complexes with either ZO-2 or ZO-3. In addition, these proteins can also associate with claudin, occludin and F-actin, at tight junction stands, where they provide a linkage between the actin cytoskeleton and the tight junction. ZO-1 expression is significantly reduced in many breast cancer lines. ZO-2 and ZO-3 are ubiquitously expressed within epithelial tight junctions, and unlike ZO-1, which is also expressed at cell junctions of cardiac myocytes, ZO-2 is not expressed in nonepithelial tissue. Applications: Suitable for use in Western Blot, Immunoprecipitation and Immunohistochemistry. Other applications not tested. Recommended Dilutions: Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. Recommended Positive Control: Mouse liver tissue lysate Storage and Stability: Store product at 4C if to be used immediately within two weeks. For long-term storage, aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing and store at -20C. Aliquots are stable at -20C for 12 months after receipt. Dilute required amount only prior to immediate use. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Note: Applications are based on unconjugated antibody.