About mTOR
The protein encoded by this gene belongs to a family of phosphatidylinositol kinase-related kinases. These kinases mediate cellular responses to stresses such as DNA damage and nutrient deprivation. This kinase is a component of two distinct complexes, mTORC1, which controls protein synthesis, cell growth and proliferation, and mTORC2, which is a regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, and promotes cell survival and cell cycle progression. This protein acts as the target for the cell-cycle arrest and immunosuppressive effects of the FKBP12-rapamycin complex. Inhibitors of mTOR are used in organ transplants as immunosuppressants, and are being evaluated for their therapeutic potential in SARS-CoV-2 infections. Mutations in this gene are associated with Smith-Kingsmore syndrome and somatic focal cortical dysplasia type II. The ANGPTL7 gene is located in an intron of this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2020]

About FITC
Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) has an excitation peak at 495 nm and an emission peak at 519 nm. The name FITC is a misnomer in that the isothiocyanate is a reactive form of this dye. Once FITC is conjugated to an antibody, it is simply Fluorescein conjugated. FITC is one of the most widely used dyes for fluorescent applications, therefore most instruments come standard with a 488 nm laser and FITC filter set up. FITC is commonly conjugated to secondary antibodies and used in applications such as flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and immunohistochemistry. FITC is relatively dim, sensitive to photobleaching and it is susceptible to changes is pH. There are better performing alternatives to FITC, like Vio®Bright 515, Alexa Fluor™ 488, iFluor® 488, CF®488A and DY-488. FITC is a long-time generic dye with no sole manufacturer or trademark.