MIT-23: a mitochondrial marker for terminal neuronal differentiation defined by a monoclonal antibody.
We describe a monoclonal antibody directed against a neuron-specific mitochondrial protein from rat brain. On protein blots the antibody recognizes a single polypeptide of apparent molecular weight of 23,000. By solid-phase immunoassay the antigen was detected in nonneural tissues. Within neurons, the antibody stains cytoplasmic granules that immunoelectron microscopy shows are mitochondria, hence the designation MIT-23. Immunocytochemical staining of the cerebellar cortex showed that MIT-23 occurs in all the neuronal types but is absent from glial and other nonneuronal cells. During neonatal development of the cerebellum, MIT-23 appears in neurons after their final cell division or migration is completed, suggesting that specific proteins associated with mitochondria participate in neuronal maturation.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins