title: Characterization of nervana, a Drosophila melanogaster neuron-specific glycoprotein antigen recognized by anti-horseradish peroxidase antibodies.
abstract: Antibodies to the plant glycoprotein horseradish peroxidase (HRP) are used extensively to identify neurons in Drosophila and other insects. We are interested in characterizing the gene product(s) recognized by anti-HRP antibodies because it may be important for nervous system function and/or development. Here we identify and purify from adult Drosophila heads an anti-HRP-reactive Mr 42K glycoprotein that is likely to be the major contributor to neuronal specific anti-HRP staining. Several different monoclonal antibodies to the purified 42K glycoprotein recognize up to three proteins with distinct mobilities between Mr 38K and 42K that vary as a function of developmental age. We have collectively named these components Nervana (nerve antigen), because the monoclonal antibodies also specifically stain cultured neurons and embryonic nervous system with a pattern indistinguishable from anti-HRP staining. Western blots indicate the presence of immunologically similar proteins in a wide variety of insect species and in nac (neurally altered carbohydrate) mutant Drosophila flies that lack anti-HRP staining in adult nervous system. It should now be possible to undertake a full biochemical and functional characterization of Nervana in Drosophila.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosciences, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Salvaterra
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D006031:Glycosylation; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C094061:Nrv2 protein, Drosophila; C094060:nrv1 protein, Drosophila; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase