Neuroscience Research Roundup: our antibodies in action

Our primary antibodies are used in cutting-edge neuroscience research. All our neuroscience products are highly validated and tailor-made for research on signaling, neural lineage, developmental processes, aging, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Our primary antibodies are created using a unique antigen design for optimal specificity, affinity-purified using the immunogen, and manufactured using a standardized production process to ensure the highest quality.

Let's take a look at two recent studies showing our products in action.

1. Sideroflexin 3 is a mitochondrial protein enriched in neurons

The mitochondrial protein sideroflexin 3 (Sfxn3) is one of the main Sfxn proteins responsible for transporting the amino acid serine into mitochondria during one-carbon metabolism.

Sfx3n is highly expressed in the brain and thought to be involved in Parkinson´s disease's neurodegenerative process.

In this study, the authors took a detailed look into the spatiotemporal brain localization of Sfx3n in the rat. They found a sharp mitochondrial increase in Sfx3n in the rat brain after birth, suggesting that Sf3x3 is necessary for neurite outgrowth and synapse formation.

This finding provides a translatable baseline for investigating presumed alterations in Sfx3n toward clarifying the pathogenesis of human neurological and neurodegenerative conditions.

This study used our rabbit polyclonal anti-Sfxn3 antibody (HPA008028) in immunofluorescence and western blotting.

REF: Rivell A, Petralia RS, Wang YX, Mattson MP, Yao PJ. Sideroflexin 3 is a mitochondrial protein enriched in neurons. Neuromolecular Med. 2019;21(3):314-321.

Figure 1

Distribution of Sfxn3 protein in neurons. A. Immunoblot analysis showing Sfxn3 protein in neurons cultured from several brain regions. B, C. Immunofluorescence images from hippocampal or cortical neuron cultures co-labeled for Sfxn3 (green) and a neuronal marker map2 (red). Sfxn3 labeling is seen throughout neurons. D. Immunoblots showing a higher level of Sfxn3 in neuron-enriched cultures (Enriched) than in neuron-glia mixed cultures (Mixed). Syp, synaptophysin, neuronal synaptic marker; Gfap and Aldh1L1, glial markers. E, F. Sample images from hippocampal or midbrain neuron cultures co-labeled for Sfxn3 (green) and the glial marker Gfap (red). Sfxn3 fluorescent intensity is noticeably higher in neurons than in Gfap-labeled glial cells (white arrows). G. Immunoblots show the presence of Sfxn3 protein in synapses but not in synaptic vesicles. Syp, synaptophysin, a synaptic vesicle protein; Psd95, a synaptic protein. H. Sample fluorescent image of a hippocampal neuron co-labeled for Sfxn3 (green) and vGlut1 (red). vGlut1 is a marker for excitatory neurons. Zoomed-in views (h1, h2) showing Sfxn3 immunolabeling in close proximity to vGlut1 along neurites. Note that some Sfxn3 green puncta overlap directly with vGlut1 red puncta (white arrowheads); others are located in the adjacent neurites' shaft. I. Sample image of a midbrain neuron co-labeled for Sfxn3 (green) and an inhibitory neuron marker GAD (red). Zoomed-in views in boxes i1 and i2 showing Sfxn3 immunolabeling close to GAD labeling on the neuronal soma. Some Sfxn3 green puncta overlap with GAD red puncta (white arrowheads); others are seen in the adjacent region of the soma. Image from Rivell et al. 2019.

2. Cellular and molecular properties of neural progenitors in the developing mammalian hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is essential for homeostasis and energy metabolism. Developmental deficiencies of the hypothalamus can contribute to diseases or disorders of energy imbalance, obesity, and anxiety. However, many important aspects of hypothalamic development remain unaddressed, particularly the progenitors responsible for neurogenesis in the hypothalamus.

In this study, the authors used single-cell RNA sequencing to unravel distinct transcriptional regulation circuits governing the development of distinct cell nuclei within the hypothalamus.

The authors identified several novels and specific markers for hypothalamic precursor cells and increased knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underpin the development of the non-laminated mammalian hypothalamus. Another important point relates to the strong developmental conservation of nuclear structures in the hypothalamus and marker gene conservation between mice and humans.

Overall the results show that TTYH1-, FAM107A-, or HMGA2-expressing cells residing in the VZ were positive for SOX2 and P-VIM. The FAM107A+SOX2+ cells exhibited radial fibers extending basally toward the pial surface, suggesting that these cells are hypothalamic radial glial and hypothalamic mantle zone radial glial cells.

This study used our polyclonal rabbit anti-human TTYH1 antibody (HPA023617) in immunofluorescence.

REF: Zhou, X., Zhong, S., Peng, H. et al. Cellular and molecular properties of neural progenitors in the developing mammalian hypothalamus. Nat Commun 11, 4063 (2020).

Figure 2

Immunostaining for candidate markers including TTYH1, FAM107A, and HMGA2 with SOX2 and P-VIM, respectively (n = 3 independent experiments). Higher-magnification views of the boxed regions are shown at the bottom. Scale bars, 100 μm (top), 50 μm (bottom). Image from Zhou et al. 2020.

Did you find this post interesting?

Take a look at other studies that have successfully utilized our antibodies.

Research roundup: diagnostic and prognostic cancer markers

Research roundup: stem cell research

Have you published a paper using our antibodies? Let us know!