Zebrafish Kita Antibody / Kit / Scfr (RZ1184)

Description

The Kit protein in zebrafish (Danio rerio), encoded by the kit gene (also referred to as kita or kitb depending on isoform), is a homolog of the mammalian c-Kit receptor, a type III receptor tyrosine kinase. Kit plays an essential role in multiple developmental processes, including melanocyte formation, germ cell development, and hematopoiesis.

Zebrafish possess two paralogs of the kit gene due to a teleost-specific genome duplication: kita and kitb. Among them, kita is primarily responsible for the development of melanophores, the pigment cells responsible for black coloration. Mutations in kita, such as the well-characterized sparse mutant, lead to a severe reduction in melanophore number, establishing Kit as a key regulator of pigment cell differentiation and migration.

The Kit receptor is activated by its ligand, Kit ligand (Kitlg or Stem Cell Factor), which initiates downstream signaling through pathways such as MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, and JAK/STAT, promoting cell survival, proliferation, and migration. In addition to its role in pigmentation, zebrafish Kit signaling is implicated in the survival and migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and has been suggested to influence early blood cell development.

Zebrafish Kit proteins are functionally conserved with their mammalian counterparts, making the zebrafish model an effective system for investigating stem cell biology, oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, and genetic disorders associated with KIT dysfunction, such as piebaldism and certain cancers.

Application Notes

Optimal dilution of the Zebrafish Kita antibody should be determined by the researcher.

Immunogen

E. coli-derived zebrafish Kita recombinant protein (amino acids R22-N946) was used as the immunogen for the Zebrafish Kita antibody.

Storage

After reconstitution, the Zebrafish Kita antibody can be stored for up to one month at 4oC. For long-term, aliquot and store at -20oC. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing.