Neural Cell-Specific Markers

The origin and identity of NSCs remain source of debate and controversy [1]. Though recent reports further support an astroglial origin for newly-generated neuronal cells [25-29], NSCs are yet to be unequivocally identified in the adult brain. There are currently no specific markers of adult NSCs. The intermediate neurofilament nestin, the transcription factors sox-2, oct-3/4, and the RNA binding protein Musashi 1 are markers for neural progenitor and stem... 

Table 7 lists S-100-positive tumors and their positivity with additional markers. Myelin basic protein (MBP) (30) is a single-chain polypeptide associated with the central and peripheral nervous system. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament proteins (NFP) are intermediate filaments associated with glial cells and neural cells, respectively. HMB-45 is a mouse monoclonal antibody that reacts with an antigen present in premelanosomes. It is highly sensitive and specific for melanomas and certain nevi (junctional, congenital, blue nevi). EMA has been discussed in Section 3.1.3.1. 

These cell lines were examined for the expression of lineage-specific or lineage-related antigenic markers and for the expression of neural specific mRNAs. We examined the expression of NGF and its receptor, which are expressed by cells in the PNS, myelin basic protein (MBP) and the prote-olipid protein (PLP) of myelin which, in the PNS, are specific to Schwann cells. A neuron-specific gene SCG-10 (superior cervical ganglion, see Anderson and Axel, 1985) was also used in the analysis. 

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