title: Growth associated protein (GAP-43): cloning and the development of a sensitive ELISA for neurological disorders.
abstract: GAP-43 has been studied in the rodent and mammalian brain and shown to be present specifically in areas undergoing axonal elongation and synapse formation. GAP-43 was cloned using the baculovirus expression system and purified. A sandwich ELISA was developed using the recombinant GAP-43 as standard and validated. CSF GAP-43 levels were analysed in benign intracranial hypertension, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, CNS infections, motor neuron disease, and headache (neurological controls). GAP-43 levels were low in all disorders analysed (in particular motor neuron disease; p=0.001, and movement disorders and multiple sclerosis; p<0.0001) compared to controls, aside from CNS infections. GAP-43 is preferentially reduced in the CSF of neurological disorders associated with neurodegeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK. Electronic address: s.gnanapavan@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sharmilee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gnanapavan
authors.affiliation: Bone and Joint Research Unit, William Harvey Research Unit, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nasim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yousaf
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Group, Clinical and Molecular Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heywood
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Group, Clinical and Molecular Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: Bone and Joint Research Unit, William Harvey Research Unit, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Yuti
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chernajovsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Keir
authors.affiliation: Blizzard Institute, Queen Mary University London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giovannoni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019976:Cloning, Organism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D019922:GAP-43 Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D019922:GAP-43 Protein
keywords: Biomarker; CSF; ELISA; GAP-43; Neuroplasticity