About ARHGEF9
The protein encoded by this gene is a Rho-like GTPase that switches between the active (GTP-bound) state and inactive (GDP-bound) state to regulate CDC42 and other genes. This brain-specific protein also acts as an adaptor protein for the recruitment of gephyrin and together these proteins facilitate receceptor recruitement in GABAnergic and glycinergic synapses. Defects in this gene are the cause of startle disease with epilepsy (STHEE), also known as hyperekplexia with epilepsy, as well as several other types of cognitive disability. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2017]

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.