OptimAb Neurofilament H&M Phosphorylated , Monoclonal Antibody, purified

Blue ice

Neurofilaments are key components of the neuronsCytoskeleton whose main function is to provide structural support to the axons. There are 3 major neurofilament subunits: light or lowest (NF-L), medium or middle (NF-M) and heavy or highest (NF-H). SMI 310 reacts with a phosphorylated epitope in extensively phosphorylated NF-H and to a much lower extent NF-M in most mammalian species. Immunocytochemically, SMI 310 reacts with selected axons. The extent of reaction with axons is more restricted than that of any other anti-phosphoneurofilaments. Cell bodies and dendrites are generally unstained. Other cells and tissues are unreactive except for peripheral axons. Phosphatase treatment of tissue sections or Western blots abolishes reaction with SMI 310. SMI 310 needs less phosphatase treatment of neurofilaments for abolition of reactivity than any other antibody to phosphorylated neurofilaments, suggesting that a very extensive degree of hyperphosphorylation of neurofilaments is necessary for its reactivity. In pathological conditions, reaction with SMI 310 may be found also in neuronal cell bodies. In Alzheimer's disease, SMI 310 provides a strong reaction with extraneuronal (ghost) neurofibrillary tangles. Intraneuronal tangles remain unreactive. SMI 310 may react with an unusual and sparsely distributed form of phosphorylated neurofilaments that may be exacerbated in certain pathologic conditions. SMI 310 distinguishes sporadic inclusion-body myositis from hereditary inclusion-body myopathies.