Neuroscience

Ataxin antibodies are used in the study of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) diseases. These neurodegenerative disorders are highly heterogeneous, characterized by progressive, irreversible, atrophy of the cerebellum and spinal cord.

Tau proteins are abundant in the axons of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), and play a key role in microtubule formation and stabilization. Antibody studies have identified six tau isoforms, all produced by alternative mRNA splicing of the MAPT gene. We at Novus Biologicals have nearly 50 antibodies matched to tau proteins on our antibody database.

The NF2 gene, also known as “Merlin”, was discovered through studies into Neurofibromatosis Type II, a rare genetic disease which causes formation of non-malignant, but life-limiting, brain tumors. NF2 encodes a cytoskeletal protein involved in extracellular signalling (i.e. cell-to-cell).

The Merlin protein belongs to the ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) family of tumour suppressor proteins. Encoded by the rather less imaginatively named Neurofibromin 2 (NF2) gene, it is thought to play a role in extracellular signal transduction, linking the cell cytoskeleton with membrane-bound proteins and suppressing several receptors, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

E3 ubiquitin ligases are standards in most antibody catalogs. These proteins are essential to the process of ubiquitination, which is expressed in protein pathways throughout the body and is often linked to disease states. It is widely used as a biomarker, with ubiquitin antibodies being widely used to identify the protein accumulations (inclusion bodies) which occur in conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington's disease.

Recently, we at Novus Biologicals added a new phospho-MAP1B (phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein 1B) antibody to our antibody database. MAP1B is a developmentally regulated phosphoprotein thought to be involved in the assembly of microtubules, an essential part of neurogenesis.

Novus Biologicals recently added a new  PMP22 antibody, conjugated to Biotin, to our antibody database. PMP22 (Peripheral Myelin Protein 22) is important to the structure of the myelin sheath in peripheral nerves, and is encoded by the PMP22 gene.

Supplying antibodies for neuroscience research forms an important part of our work here at Novus Biologicals. Our antibody database is represented by more than 5,600 neuroscience products covering conditions ranging from sensory systems to neurodegeneration.