Tags and Markers

Cell markers are a specific set of cell surface proteins participating in identification and visualization of cells using antibodies. Furthermore, subcellular markers are specific to a given organelle, thus activating the identification of the specific cell structures.
Epitope tags are designed to make a molecular handle for a specific protein. They are short peptide chains, usually no longer than 10 to 15 amino acids. These tags can be inserted in any place inside a given protein, but in most cases it is located either on the C- or the N-terminus, so disruption in tertiary structure can be minimized and to keep the protein function intact.
Using a specific amino acid sequence inside a recombinant protein allows antibodies for the specific tag to monitor the expression of the protein in matter and to locate it in different organelles, cells and tissues in the body.