Neurofilament or NF Markers

Neurofilaments or NFs are the 10 nanometer (10nm) or intermediate filaments found specifically in neurons. During axonal growth, new neurofilament subunits are incorporated all along the axon in a dynamic process that involves the addition of subunits along the filament length, as well as the addition of subunits at the filament ends. After an axon has grown and connected with its target cell, the diameter of the axon may increase as much as fivefold. Neurofilaments are repulsive. This is because their purpose is to set the diameter of dendrites and axons. They do this by repelling each other because of their polarity and move away from each other. The level of neurofilament gene expression seems to directly control axonal diameter, which in turn controls how fast electrical signals travel down the axon. Neurofilament markers include: neurofilament light (NFL), neurofilament medium (NFM) and neurofilament heavy (NFH). They may also include peripherin, alpha-internexin, nestin and in some cases vimentin.

Images: Cells grown from adult rat brainLarge cell in middle is stained with mouse monoclonal to NF-L clone DA2 (green). Another type of neuronal lineage cell was stained with rabbit polyclonal to alpha-internexin (red). These cells were mitotic but had several characteristics of neurons. Rat spinal cord homogenate showing the major intermediate filament proteins of the nervous system (lane 1). The remaining lanes show blots of this material stainted with various antibodies including: NF-H, NF-M,, NF-L,, NF66 and GFAP . Protocols on data-sheet.

These antibodies are excellent markers for adult and developing neurons including neural progenitors. They are also useful for the diagnostics of neurofilament accumulations seen in many neurological diseases, such as Lou Gehrig's disease or Alzheimer's disease.