Mouse anti-Mouse / Human / Rat / Pig / Chicken / Cat Neurofilament NF-H Phospho - IMG-5018A-2

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. NF-H antibodies can also be useful in assessing the neurofilament accumulations seen in many neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Alzheimer's disease. Clone NAP4 reacts preferentially with the axonal phosphorylated forms of NF-H. These phosphorylated forms of NF-H are normally restricted to axons, while less phosphorylated forms are found in dendrites. However in numerous damage and disease states, phosphorylated NF-H can be detected with Clone NAP4 in dendritic and perikaryal neurofilaments.

Antigen
NF-H purified from pig spinal cord was used as immunogen.

Application Notes
This antibody recognizes phosphorylated NF-H sequence n-KSP-c (lysine-serine-proline). Some cross-reactivity to the phosphorylated n-KSP-c of subunit unit NF-M may be observed in some species. 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). Users should titrate the antibody to determine the optimal concentration for their experimental system.

Related Products
1. 20101 [Goat Anti-Mouse Ig HRP Conjugate ]
2. IMG-5019A-1 [Monoclonal Antibody to GAPDH - Loading Control]
3. IMG-5019A-2 [Monoclonal Antibody to GAPDH - Loading Control]

Reference
1. Harris J. Ayyub C, Shaw G. 1991. A molecular dissection of the carboxyterminal tails of the major neurofilament subunits NF-M and NF-H. J Neurosci Res 30:47-62.
2. Julien, J.P., R.C. Lariviere. 2004. J. Functions of intermediate filaments in neuronal development and disease.  J Neurobiol. 58:131-148.
3. Kesavapany, S., B.S. Li, and H.C. Pant. 2003. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in neurofilament function and regulation. Neurosignals. 12:252-264.