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Radial glia markers

A guide to the most common radial glia markers. We've put together the most commonly used markers for radial glia to help you quickly identify the suitable marker for your cells.
Last edited Fri 26 Apr 2024

What is radial glia?

During neurogenesis, neuroepithelial (NE) cells transform into radial glia. Epithelial features, such as tight junctions, are downregulated in favor of adherens junctions. Glial hallmarks, including astrocyte markers and morphological features such as glycogen granules, begin to emerge.

Vimentin

Gene names:

VIM

Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein, whose expression is upregulated during the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of NE cells to radial glia and persists until astrocyte development.

Rhesus monkey brain tissue sections stained with anti-vimentin (ab92547).

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References

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PAX6

Alternative names:

Paired Box 6, aniridia type II protein (AN2), oculorhombin

Gene names:

PAX6

Paired box gene 6 or paired box protein (PAX6) is a transcription factor that promotes neurogenesis.

Mouse embryonic (E12.5) brain sections stained with anti-PAX6 (ab5790).

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References

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HES1 and HES5

Alternative names:

Hairy and enhancer of split-1 and hairy and enhancer of split-5

Gene names:

HES1 and HES5

These are transcription factors regulating the maintenance of radial glia.

Mouse brain tissue sections stained with anti-HES5 (red) (ab25374).

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References

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Astrocytic markers: GFAP, GLAST, and BLBP

These astrocytic markers emerge as neuroepithelial cells become radial glia.

Rat embryonic (E16) spinal cord sections stained with anti-BLBP (ab32423).

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References

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Adhesion and extracellular matrix molecules: TN-C and N-cadherin

Upregulation of adhesion and extracellular matrix proteins accompanies the transformation of NE cells into radial glia.

Mouse embryonic coronal cortical section stained with anti-N -cadherin (red) (ab76011).

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References

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Nestin

Gene names:

NES

Nestin is an intermediate filament protein in NE cells and radial glia, whose expression persists until astrocyte development.

Rat adult brain tissue sections stained with anti-nestin (ab6142).

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References

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SOX2

Alternative names:

ANOP3, MCOPS3, SRY-box 2, Sox2, SRY-box transcription factor 2

Gene names:

SOX2

SOX2 is a transcription factor and the earliest marker of the neural plate. It is expressed in proliferating cells and those acquiring glial fates but downregulated in post-mitotic neurons.

E13 mouse spinal cord sections stained with anti-SOX2 (ab97959).

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References

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References