The wild-type anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein is a 200 kDa transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. Its expression is restricted to a few scattered cells in the nervous system (some glial cells and neurons, and a few endothelial cells and pericytes). ALK has been found to be rearranged, mutated, or amplified in a series of tumors. The hybrid gene, NPM-ALK, created by the t(2,5)(p23,q35) chromosomal translocation, encodes part of the nucleolar phosphoprotein nucleophosmin (NPM), joined to the entire cytoplasmic portion of ALK. As a consequence, the ALK gene comes under the control of the NPM promoter, which induces a permanent and ubiquitous transcription of the NPM-ALK hybrid gene, resulting in the production of a 80 kDa NPM-ALK chimeric protein. This translocation is found in anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL). Reportedly, expression of ALK indicates a better prognosis. Approximately 5%-10% of non-small cell lung carcinomas also express ALK protein, producing a cytoplasmic staining pattern. This MAb also reacts with blood vessels that serves as an internal positive control. Primary antibodies are available purified, or with a selection of fluorescent CF Dyes and other labels. CF Dyes offer exceptional brightness and photostability. Note: Conjugates of blue fluorescent dyes like CF405S and CF405M are not recommended for detecting low abundance targets, because blue dyes have lower fluorescence and can give higher non-specific background than other dye colors.
