We’ve pulled together the most common markers for mature oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells, so you can easily find the right marker to study these cells.

What are oligodendrocytes?

Oligodendrocytes are responsible for the production of myelin, which insulates the axons of the central nervous system. Oligodendrocytes' function is equivalent to Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system.

PDGFR alpha (PDGFRA)

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha(PDGFA), or CD140a, is a cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor expressed by oligodendrocyte precursor cells.

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We recommend

Recombinant Anti-PDGFR alpha antibody [EPR22059-270] (ab203491).

References

View 1 reference for PDGFR alpha (PDGFRA)

Neural-glial antigen 2 (NG2)

NG2 is a membrane chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expressed by oligodendrocyte precursor cells. It has many alternative names, including chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) or melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP).

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We recommend

Recombinant Anti-NG2 antibody [EPR22410-145] (ab255811).

Olig 1, 2, and 3

These are transcription factors necessary for oligodendrocyte development.

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We recommend

Recombinant Anti-Olig2 antibody [EPR2673] (ab109186).

References

View 2 references for Olig 1, 2, and 3

Oligodendrocyte-specific protein (OSP)

OPS is a protein found on the surface of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system.

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We recommend

Recombinant Anti-Oligodendrocyte Specific Protein antibody [EPR12726] (ab175236).

References

View 1 reference for Oligodendrocyte-specific protein (OSP)

Myelin basic protein (MBP)

MBP is a structural component of myelin expressed exclusively by myelinating glia.

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We recommend

Anti-Myelin Basic Protein antibody (ab40390).
Arachidonic acid (ab120916).

References

View 2 references for Myelin basic protein (MBP)

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)

MOG is a glycoprotein found on the surface of oligodendrocytes.

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We recommend

Recombinant Anti-Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody [EPR22629-310] (ab233549).

References

View 1 reference for Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)

SOX10

SOX10 is a transcription factor that directs neural stem cells toward the glial lineage. It should be used in combination with other markers to identify oligodendrocytes.

Browse all SOX10 antibodies

We recommend

Recombinant Anti-SOX10 antibody [EPR4007-104] (ab180862).

References

View 1 reference for SOX10

References

PDGFR alpha (PDGFRA)

Marques, S.,, et al. Oligodendrocyte heterogeneity in the mouse juvenile and adult central nervous system. Science , (2016)

Olig 1, 2, and 3

Zhou, Q.,, Choi, G.,, Anderson, D. J. The bHLH transcription factor Olig2 Promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation in collaboration with Nkx2.2. Neuron , (2001)

Mei, F.,, et al. Stage-specific deletion of Olig2 conveys opposing functions on differentiation and maturation of oligodendrocytes. Journal of Neuroscience , (2013)

Oligodendrocyte-specific protein (OSP)

Dyer, C.,, Hickey, W. F.,, Geisert, E. E. Myelin/oligodendrocyte-specific protein: A novel surface membrane protein that associates with microtubules Journal of Neuroscience Research , (1991)

Myelin basic protein (MBP)

Barbarese, E.,, et al. Expression and localization of myelin basic protein in oligodendrocytes and transfected fibroblasts. Journal of Neurochemistry , (1988)

Takeda, M.,, Soliven, B. Arachidonic acid inhibits myelin basic protein phosphorylation in cultured oligodendrocytes Glia21 (3), (1998)

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)

Scolding, N.,, et al. Myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a surface marker of oligodendrocyte maturation. Journal of Neuroimmunology 22 (3), (1989)

SOX10

Pozniak, C. D.,, et al. Sox10 directs neural stem cells toward the oligodendrocyte lineage by decreasing Suppressor of Fused expression. PNAS , (2010)