Oligodendrocyte markers
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At-a-glance guide to markers for mature oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells.
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.
Oligodendrocyte precursor cell markers
PDGFR alpha (PDGFRA)
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).
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).
We recommend Recombinant Anti-NG2 antibody [EPR22410-145] (ab255811).
Image (left): Human melanoma tissue stained with anti-NG2 (ab255811).
Mature oligodendrocyte markers
Olig 1, 2, and 3
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).
Oligodendrocyte-specific protein (OSP)
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.
Myelin basic protein (MBP)
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).
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)
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
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).
References
- Barbarese, E. et al. Expression and localization of myelin basic protein in oligodendrocytes and transfected fibroblasts. J. Neurochem. 51, 1737–45 (1988).
- Dyer, C. A., Hickey, W. F. & Geisert, E. E. Myelin/oligodendrocyte-specific protein: a novel surface membrane protein that associates with microtubules. J. Neurosci. Res. 28, 607–13 (1991).
- Marques, S. et al. Oligodendrocyte heterogeneity in the mouse juvenile and adult central nervous system. Science 352, 1326–9 (2016).
- Mei, F. et al. Stage-specific deletion of Olig2 conveys opposing functions on differentiation and maturation of oligodendrocytes. J. Neurosci. 33, 8454–62 (2013).
- Pozniak, C. D. et al. Sox10 directs neural stem cells toward the oligodendrocyte lineage by decreasing Suppressor of Fused expression. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 107, 21795–800 (2010).
- Scolding, N. J. et al. Myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a surface marker of oligodendrocyte maturation. J. Neuroimmunol. 22, 169–176 (1989).
- Takeda M, S. B. Arachidonic acid inhibits myelin basic protein phosphorylation in cultured oligodendrocytes.Glia 277–84 (1997).
- Zhou, Q., Choi, G. & Anderson, D. J. The bHLH transcription factor Olig2 Promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation in collaboration with Nkx2.2. Neuron 31, 791–807 (2001).