Mature neuron markers
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Your quick reference guide to mature neuron markers.
We've pulled together the most common markers for mature neurons from the literature, so you can easily select the right one for your experiment.
Find your marker: NeuN | MAP2 | 160 kDa Neurofilament medium | Neurofilament heavy |SYP | PSD95
What are mature neurons?
Mature neurons are terminally differentiated neurons that can no longer divide. They aim to receive, process, and transfer information in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Mature neuron markers
NeuN
NeuN is an RNA-binding protein that is highly specific for post-mitotic neurons. However, the following cell types do not express NeuN:
- Golgi cells
- Purkinje cells
- Olfactory bulb mitral cells
- Retinal photoreceptor cells
- Inferior olivary and dentate nucleus neurons
- Sympathetic ganglion cells
We recommend Recombinant Anti-NeuN antibody [EPR12763] - Neuronal Marker (ab177487).
Image (left): Mouse cerebrum sections stained with anti-NeuN (green) (ab177487).
MAP2
Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) is a neuron-specific protein that promotes the assembly and stability of the microtubule network.
We recommend Recombinant Anti-MAP2 antibody [EPR19691] (ab183830).
Image (left): Mouse cortex tissue stained with anti-MAP2 (green) (ab183830).
160kDa Neurofilament medium
A major intermediate filament found in neurons.
We recommend Recombinant Anti-160 kD Neurofilament Medium (phospho S614 + S619) antibody [EPR580(2)Y] (ab68142).
Image (left): Human brain tissue stained using anti-160 kDa neurofilament medium (ab68142).
Neurofilament heavy
A major intermediate filament found in neurons.
We recommend Recombinant Anti-Neurofilament heavy polypeptide antibody [EPR20020] (ab207176).
Image (left): Mouse hippocampus tissue stained using anti-neurofilament heavy (green) (ab207176).
Synaptophysin (SYP)
SYP is a synaptic vesicle protein that regulates vesicle endocytosis in neurons. Alternative names include major synaptic vesicle protein p38 and MRX96.
We recommend Recombinant Anti-Synaptophysin antibody [YE269] (ab32127).
Image (left): Human iPS cell-derived neurons stained with anti-synaptophysin (green) (ab32127).
PSD95
Postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) is a synaptic protein that associates with receptors and the cytoskeleton. This protein has many alternative names, including synapse-associated protein 90 (SAP90) and discs large homolog 4 (DLG4).
We recommend Recombinant Anti-PSD95 antibody [EPR23124-118] (ab238135).
Image (left) Mouse retina tissue stained with anti-PSD95 (green) (ab238135).
References
- El-Husseini, A. E. et al. PSD-95 involvement in maturation of excitatory synapses. Science 290, 1364–8 (2000).Kwon, S. E. & Chapman, E. R. Synaptophysin regulates the kinetics of synaptic vesicle endocytosis in central neurons. Neuron 70, 847–54 (2011).Mullen, R. J., Buck, C. R. & Smith, A. M. NeuN, a neuronal specific nuclear protein in vertebrates. Development 116, 201–211 (1992).Soltani, M. H. et al. Microtubule-associated protein 2, a marker of neuronal differentiation, induces mitotic defects, inhibits growth of melanoma cells, and predicts metastatic potential of cutaneous melanoma. Am. J. Pathol. 166, 1841–1850 (2005).Trojanowski, J. Q., Walkenstein, N. & Lee, V. M. Expression of neurofilament subunits in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system: an immunohistochemical study with monoclonal antibodies. J. Neurosci. 6, 650–660 (1986).Yuan, a., Rao, M. V., Veeranna & Nixon, R. a. Neurofilaments at a glance. J. Cell Sci. 125, 3257–3263 (2012).El-Husseini, A. E. et al. PSD-95 involvement in maturation of excitatory synapses. Science 290, 1364–8 (2000).
- Kwon, S. E. & Chapman, E. R. Synaptophysin regulates the kinetics of synaptic vesicle endocytosis in central neurons. Neuron 70, 847–54 (2011).
- Mullen, R. J., Buck, C. R. & Smith, A. M. NeuN, a neuronal specific nuclear protein in vertebrates. Development 116, 201–211 (1992).
- Soltani, M. H. et al. Microtubule-associated protein 2, a marker of neuronal differentiation, induces mitotic defects, inhibits growth of melanoma cells, and predicts metastatic potential of cutaneous melanoma. Am. J. Pathol. 166, 1841–1850 (2005).
- Trojanowski, J. Q., Walkenstein, N. & Lee, V. M. Expression of neurofilament subunits in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system: an immunohistochemical study with monoclonal antibodies. J. Neurosci. 6, 650–660 (1986).
- Yuan, a., Rao, M. V., Veeranna & Nixon, R. a. Neurofilaments at a glance. J. Cell Sci. 125, 3257–3263 (2012).