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Inc., unpublished results.