Polyclonal Collapsin Response Mediator Protein-2 C-terminal  Antiserum 

Collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP-2) is an important brain-specific protein whose expression is restricted to the developing nervous system, especially in the distal portions of growing axons.   It can promote the formation of axons by its ability to bind to tubulin heterodimers and enhance microtubule polymerization. CRMP-2 is known to exist as a dimer and dimerazation may be necessary for its activity.  Although CRMP-2’s role in development has been extensively studied, its role in the adult and diseased brain is less well understood.

 Since CRMP-2 is present in adult and aged brains, there is reason to speculate that it may have a role in neuritic and axonal growth and regeneration and thus contribute to a high level of plasticity in adult brains.  In some disease states, CRMP-2 has been shown to be reduced, such as in Down syndrome fetal brain, epilepsy brain hippocampus and areas of traumatic brain injury.   In Alzheimer’s disease, CRMP-2 has been shown to be associated with the paired helical filaments (PHF) in degenerating neurons.   This PHF-associated CMPR-2 has been shown to be highly phosphorylated.  This hyperphosphorylated form of CMPR-2 may lead to its inactivation and may accelerate the neuritic degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.

 A goat antiserum to a synthetic peptide that corresponds to amino acids 543-557of the C-terminus of the human CRMP-2 is currently available. This antiserum has been shown to be immunoreactive with the unconjugated immunizing peptide by ELISA. Western blot analysis demonstrates that the antiserum can recognize both the CRMP-2 monomer and dimer. This antibody should be a valuable tool for scientists working to understand the role of CRMP-2 in Alzheimer’s and other disease states.

This antiserum was produced using proprietary methodology whereby the peptide is attached to a carrier that elicits minimal immunoreactivity so that the antiserum has a higher degree of specificity for the peptide.  Since there is no overwhelming production of interfering antibodies to the carrier, this antiserum can routinely be used without further purification.  A control immune serum (Cat no. GPA018E) from a mock immunized animal is available to be used in conjunction with this antibody as well as the immunizing peptide (Cat no. HSP033C), which can be used to neutralize immunoreactivity.

Manufacturing Reference:

Southwest Immunology, Inc., unpublished results.