Rabbit anti-Mouse / Human / Rat / Cat Neurofilament NF-H - IMG-5017A-1

Background
Neurofilaments are the intermediate filaments found in neuronal cells (reviewed in 1 and 2). They are composed of a combination of subunit proteins which typically includes the neurofilment triplet proteins, NF-L (68 kDa), NF-M (160 kDa), and NF-H (200 kDa). Neurofilaments may also include peripherin, alpha-internexin (NF66), nestin, and vimentin. Neurofilament proteins are useful biomarkers as their expression can vary during neuronal development and differentiation and between between neuronal cell subtypes, and altered in pathological states. Accumulation of neurofilaments is observed the progression of numerous neurological diseases. NF-H, the heavy molecular weight neurofilment protein, is phosphorylated on KSP (lysine-serine-proline) repeats found in the C-terminal tail domain. The NF-H tail domain contains 42-51 KSP repeats and most of these sites are normally phosphorylated in vivo. However, the level of phosphorylation and the ratio between phosphorylated and unphosphorylated NF-H can vary and can also be altered during pathological states. Mutations in the NF-H tail domain have been linked to some forms of amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive motor neuron degenerative disease resulting in paralysis and death. Antibodies to NF-H are useful for identifying and analyzing neuronal cells and their processes in tissue culture and in tissue sections.

Antigen
Bovine neurofilament NF-H.

Application Notes
The antibodies preferentially recognize the phosphorylated forms of NF-H. At higher concentrations, the antibody may also recognize unphosphorylated NF-H.
On western blots, phosphorylated NF-H is detected at ~200-220 kDa; variability across species may be seen. Nonphosphorylated NF-H is detected at ~160 kDa. The polyclonal antibody has been evaluated in human, rat, mouse and cat and based on sequence homology is likely to cross-react with other mammals. Users should titrate the antibody to determine the optimal concentration for their experimental system.

Genebank Info (Protein)
NP_000139

Related Products
1. 20301 [Goat Anti-Rabbit HRP Conjugate]
2. IMG-5142A [Polyclonal Antibody to beta Actin]
3. IMG-5143A [Polyclonal Antibody to GAPDH]

Reference
1. Julien, J.P., R.C. Lariviere. 2004. J. Functions of intermediate filaments in neuronal development and disease.  J Neurobiol. 58:131-148.
2. Kesavapany, S., B.S. Li, and H.C. Pant. 2003. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in neurofilament function and regulation. Neurosignals. 12:252-264.

Product Citations
1. Hyperphosphorylated neurofilament NF-H is a serum biomarker of axonal injury. Shaw G, C Yang, R Ellis, K Anderson, JP Mickle, S Scheff, B Pike, DK Anderson, and DR Howland. BBRC 336:1268 -1277 (2005). ELISA (used as the detection antibody): Fig 2 (standard curve with recombinant NF-H protein), Figs 3, 4 (serum from rats with spinal cord injury; IF/ICC (primary neuron/glial cultures from newborn rats), Fig 1B; WB: (rat spinal cord), Fig 1A.