Anti-Alpha Synuclein Antibody

Alpha-synuclein (SNCA), also known as PARK1, NACP, PARK4, is a member of the synuclein family, which also includes beta- and gamma-synuclein. Alpha-synuclein is a highly-conserved protein known to be abundant in neurons and especially presynaptic terminals where it serves multiple roles including regulation of synaptic vesicle trafficking and subsequent neurotransmitter release. Functionally, alpha synuclein has been implicated in synaptic plasticity (Liu 2004) and the assembly of snare complexes (Burre 2010) and it is known to be associated with various neuropathologies including Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease, where it forms insoluble protein aggregates. Early studies of amyloid deposits in the brains of Alzheimer's patients revealed two previously uncharacterized peptides in addition to the amyloid beta fragment (Ueda 1993), both of which were found to correspond to alpha-synuclein (SNCA) . Later studies confirmed that aggregated alpha-synuclein proteins are present in brain lesions (Lewy bodies) that are hallmarks of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies and that alpha synuclein likely plays a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease among other neuropathologies. The SNCA antibody was raised against full-length human alpha synuclein and recognizes endogenous levels of alpha synuclein in brain by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

Store at 4°C in the dark. Under these conditions, the antibodies should have a shelf life of at least twelve months, provided they remain sterile. For longer term storage, aliquot and freeze to avoid freeze-thaw of the antibody.

Chickens were immunized with recombinant human α-synuclein protein (expressed in bacteria) . After repeated injections, immune eggs were collected, the IgY fractions were purified from the yolks, and the IgY concentration adjusted to 10 mg/ml. Finally, the antibody preparation was filter-sterilized.

Antibodies were analyzed by western blot analysis (1:2500 dilution) on rat brain lysate and immunohistochemistry (1:200 dilution) on substantia nigra sections from a Parkinson’s Disease patient's brain. Western blots were performed using BlokHen® (Aves Labs) as the blocking reagent, and HRP-labeled goat anti-chicken IgY (1:500 dilution, Aves Labs Cat.# H-1004) as the detection reagent. Immunohistochemistry used FITC-conjugated goat anti-chicken IgY (AvesLabs Cat. # F-1005) .