Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) antibody

Antigen: Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP)

Synonyms: GFAP, DKFZp459C0729, MGC139638, FLJ45472, AI836096, cb345, gfapl, MGC110485, wu:fb34h11, wu:fk42c12, zgc:110485, etID36982.3, xx:af506734

Clonality: Monoclonal (GF-01)

Host: Mouse

Reactivity: Human, Pig (Porcine), Cat (Feline)

Application: Immunoprecipitation (IP), Western Blotting (WB), Immunohistochemistry (Paraffin-embedded Sections) (IHC (p)), Immunocytochemistry (ICC)

Catalog no.: ABIN94318

Additional Information

Alternative name: GFAP

Immunogen: Pellet of porcine brain cold-stable proteins after depolymerization of microtubules.

Format: Purified

Isotype: IgG2b  (Matching secondary antibodies)

Clone: GF-01

Description: Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) was discovered by Bignami et al. (1972) as a majorfibrous protein of multiple sclerosis plaques. It was subsequently found to be a member ofthe 10 nm or intermediate filament protein family, specifically the intermediate filamentprotein family Class III, which also includes peripherin, desmin and vimentin.GFAP is heavily, and specifically, expressed in astrocytes and certain other astroglia in thecentral nervous system, in satellite cells in peripheral ganglia, and in non-myelinatingSchwann cells in peripheral nerves. In addition, neural stem cells frequently stronglyexpress GFAP. It is also found in the lens epithelium, Kupffer cells of the liver, in some cellsin salivary tumors and has been reported in erythrocytes.Although its function is not fully understood, GFAP protein is probably involved in controllingthe shape and movement of astrocytes. The protein probably also plays a significant role inthe interactions of astrocytes with other cells, which are required for the formation andmaintenance of the insulating layer (myelin) that covers nerve cells. Additionally, GFAPprotein may assist in maintaining the protective barrier that allows only certain substances topass between blood vessels and the brain (blood-brain barrier).In adults, GFAP levels increase as a result of the proliferation of astrocytes that occurs in aresponse to a variety of physical, chemical and etiological insults, including Alzheimersdisease, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.Antibodies to GFAP are therefore very useful as markers of astrocytic cells and neural stemcells and for distinguishing of neoplasms of astrocytic origin from other neoplasms in thecentral nervous system.Finally, Alexander's disease was recently shown to be caused by point mutations in proteincoding region of the GFAP gene (Brenner et al., 2001). All forms of Alexander disease arecharacterized by the presence of Rosenthal fibers, which are GFAP containing cytoplasmicinclusions found in astrocytes.

Specificity: The antibody GF-01 reacts with GFAP, the principal marker of astroglial cells in the centralnervous system, which is specifically expressed in satellite cells in peripheral ganglia and innon myelinating Schwann cells in peripheral nerves.The GFAP protein runs on gels at ~55 kDa protein, usually associated with lower Mw bandswhich are thought to be proteolytic fragments and alternate transcripts from the single gene. This antibody does not react with: Rat.

Application Details

Application Notes: Immunohistochemistry (paraffin sections)The antibody GF-01 strongly stains astrocytes in human brain tissue sections but it isessentially negative on mouse and rat tissues. Immunocytochemistry - Recommended dilution: 5-10 µg/ml

Concentration: 1 mg/ml

Purity: > 95% (by SDS-PAGE)

Purification: Purified from ascites by protein-A affinity chromatography.

Buffer: Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with 15 mM sodium azide, approx. pH 7.4

Storage: Store at 2-8 o C. Do not use after expiration date stamped on vial label. For long-term storage aliquot and store at -20 o C. Avoid freeze/thaw cycles.

Research Area: Stem Cells, Cytoskeleton, Glia marker, Cell/Tissue Markers, Neurology

Restrictions: For Research Use only

Images

Immunohistochemistry of paraffin-embedded sections (human cerebellum)