anti-NeuN (human), Rabbit Monoclonal (RM312)

NeuN (Fox-3) is a 350 amino acid protein that contains one RRM (RNA recognition motif) domain. Localized to both the nucleus and cytoplasm, NeuN is suggested to regulate alternative splicing events. NeuN is encoded by a gene located on human chromosome 17. Two key tumor suppressor genes are associated with chromosome 17, namely, p53 and BRCA1. Tumor suppressor p53 is necessary for maintenance of cellular genetic integrity by moderating cell fate through DNA repair versus cell death. Like p53, BRCA1 is directly involved in DNA repair, though specifically it is recognized as a genetic determinant of early onset breast cancer and predisposition to cancers of the ovary, colon, prostate gland and fallopian tubes. NeuN antibodies are widely used to label neurons. A few neuronal cell types are not recognized by NeuN antibodies, such as cerebellar Purkinje cells and Golgi cells, olfactory Mitral cells, retinal photoreceptors and gamma motor neurons. However the vast majority of neurons are strongly NeuN positive, and NeuN immunoreactivity has been widely used to identify neurons in tissue culture and in sections and to measure the neuron/glia ratio in brain regions. NeuN immunoreactivity becomes obvious as neurons mature, typically after they have downregulated expression of Doublecortin, a marker seen in the earliest stages of neuronal development.