Antigen/Purification: Collapse
The antigen is a full length recombinant human MAP2D protein.
The antibody is Protein G purified.
Biological Significance: Collapse
Microtubules are 25nm diameter protein rods found in most kinds of eukaryotic cells. Microtubules are associated with a family of proteins called microtubule associated proteins (MAPs), which includes the protein (tau) and a group of proteins referred to as MAP1, MAP2, MAP3, MAP4 and MAP5 (Kindler & Gardner 1994). MAP2 is made up of two ~280 kDa bands referred to as MAP2a and MAP2b. A third lower molecular weight form, MAP2C and MAP2D, corresponds to a pair of protein bands running at ~70 kDa on SDS-PAGE gels. All these MAP2 forms are derived from a single gene by alternate transcription, and all share a C-terminal sequence which includes either three or four microtubule binding peptide sequences, which are very similar to those found in the related microtubule binding protein (tau). MAP2 isoforms are expressed only in neuronal cells and specifically in the perikarya and dendrites of these cells. MAP2C and MAP2D are expressed earlier in development than the MAP2a and MAP2b isoforms, so that this antibody is a more useful marker of neuronal development. MAP2 has been recently shown to be the specific receptor for the neurosteroid pregnenolone (FontaineLenore V. et al., 2006).
Storage
100 µl in PBS + 50% glycerol and 5 mM sodium azide.
For long term storage –20° C is recommended. Store at –20 ° C in undiluted aliquots; stable for at least 1 year. Avoid freeze/thaw cycles.
General References
Kindler S, Gardner CC (1994) Four repeat MAP2 isoforms in human and rat brain. Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 26(1-2):218-224.
Fontaine-Lenore V, Chambraud B, Fellous A, David S, Duchossoy Y, Baulieu EE, Robel P (2006) Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) is a neurosteroid. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103(12):4711-6.
