Anti-Doublecortin/DCX Antibody Picoband®

Neuronal migration protein doublecortin, also known as doublin or lissencephalin-X, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DCX gene. This gene encodes a member of the doublecortin family. The protein encoded by this gene is a cytoplasmic protein and contains two doublecortin domains, which bind microtubules. In the developing cortex, cortical neurons must migrate over long distances to reach the site of their final differentiation. The encoded protein appears to neuronal migration by regulating the organization and stability of microtubules. In addition, the encoded protein interacts with LIS1, the regulatory gamma subunit of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase, and this interaction is important to proper microtubule function in the developing cortex. Mutations in this gene cause abnormal migration of neurons during development and disrupt the layering of the cortex, leading to epilepsy, mental retardation, subcortical band heterotopia (double cortex syndrome) in females and lissencephaly (smooth brain syndrome) in males. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.

Highly expressed in neuronal cells of fetal brain (in the majority of cells of the cortical plate, intermediate zone and ventricular zone), but not expressed in other fetal tissues. In the adult, highly expressed in the brain frontal lobe, but very low expression in other regions of brain, and not detected in heart, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney and pancreas.

Microtubule-associated protein required for initial steps of neuronal dispersion and cortex lamination during cerebral cortex development. May act by competing with the putative neuronal protein kinase DCLK1 in binding to a target protein. May in that way participate in a signaling pathway that is crucial for neuronal interaction before and during migration, possibly as part of a calcium ion-dependent signal transduction pathway. May be part with PAFAH1B1/LIS-1 of overlapping, but distinct, signaling pathways that promote neuronal migration. .

1. Brown JP, Couillard-Després S, Cooper-Kuhn CM, Winkler J, Aigner L, Kuhn HG (December 2003) . Transient expression of doublecortin during adult neurogenesis. J. Comp. Neurol. 467 (1) : 1–10. 2. Couillard-Despres S, Winner B, Schaubeck S, Aigner R, Vroemen M, Weidner N, Bogdahn U, Winkler J, Kuhn HG, Aigner L (January 2005) . Doublecortin expression levels in adult brain reflect neurogenesis.Eur. J. Neurosci. 21 (1) : 1–14.

Store at -20°C for one year from date of receipt. After reconstitution, at 4°C for one month. It can also be aliquotted and stored frozen at -20°C for six months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.