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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.
Find your marker:
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.
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha(PDGFA), or CD140a, is a cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor expressed by oligodendrocyte precursor cells.
We recommend Recombinant Anti-PDGFR alpha antibody [EPR22059-270] (ab203491).
Image (left): Rat E14.5 intervertebral disc tissue stained with anti-PDGFR alpha (ab203491).
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).
We recommend Recombinant Anti-NG2 antibody [EPR22410-145] (ab255811).
Image (left): Human melanoma tissue stained with anti-NG2 (ab255811).
These are transcription factors necessary for oligodendrocyte development.
We recommend Recombinant Anti-Olig2 antibody [EPR2673] (ab109186).
Image (left): Rat brain tissue sections stained with anti-olig2 (green) (ab109186).
OPS is a protein found on the surface of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system.
We recommend Recombinant Anti-Oligodendrocyte Specific Protein antibody [EPR12726] (ab175236).
Image (left): western blot with anti-oligodendrocyte specific protein antibody [EPR12726] (ab175236) at 1/1000 dilution.
MBP is a structural component of myelin expressed exclusively by myelinating glia.
We recommend Anti-Myelin Basic Protein antibody (ab40390).
Recommended MBP phorphorylation inhibitor: Arachidonic acid (ab120916).
Image (left): Rat brain tissue sections stained with anti-myelin basic protein (green) (ab40390).
MOG is a glycoprotein found on the surface of oligodendrocytes.
We recommend Recombinant Anti-Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody [EPR22629-310] (ab233549).
Image (left): Rat cerebellum tissue stained with anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (green) (ab233549).
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.
We recommend Recombinant Anti-SOX10 antibody [EPR4007-104] (ab180862).
Image (left): Rat cerebellum tissue sections stained with anti-SOX10 (green) (ab180862).