Villin

Recognizes a protein of 95kDa, which is identified as villin. It is a major constituent in the microvilli, which compose the brush border of epithelial cells forming absorptive surfaces of the intestinal and renal proximal tubular epithelia. Anti-Villin labels the brush border area in the gastrointestinal mucosal epithelium and urogenital tract. Among neoplasms, villin is predominantly expressed in tumors of colorectal origin. Antibody to villin is useful in identifying malignant cells from primary and metastatic colorectal carcinomas. This antibody also labels Merkel cells of the skin.