About DCTN1
This gene encodes the largest subunit of dynactin, a macromolecular complex consisting of 10 subunits ranging in size from 22 to 150 kD. Dynactin binds to both microtubules and cytoplasmic dynein. Dynactin is involved in a diverse array of cellular functions, including ER-to-Golgi transport, the centripetal movement of lysosomes and endosomes, spindle formation, chromosome movement, nuclear positioning, and axonogenesis. This subunit interacts with dynein intermediate chain by its domains directly binding to dynein and binds to microtubules via a highly conserved glycine-rich cytoskeleton-associated protein (CAP-Gly) domain in its N-terminus. Alternative splicing of this gene results in multiple transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms. Mutations in this gene cause distal hereditary motor neuronopathy type VIIB (HMN7B) which is also known as distal spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (dSBMA). [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2008]

About Alexa Fluor 680
Alexa Fluor™ 680 (AF680, Alexa 680) has an excitation peak at 679 nm and an emission peak at 702 nm, and is spectrally similar to Cy®5.5 (GE Healthcare), IR680® (Licor), iFluor® 680 (ATT Bioquest) and iFluor® 700 (ATT Bioquest). Alexa 680 is commonly used for flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution microscopy.