Drebrin A Antibody

Developmentally-regulated brain proteins (Drebrins) are cytoplasmic proteins that were originally identified in the brain as F-actin-binding proteins. There are two mammalian isoforms: adult type (A) and embryonic type (E). These isoforms are derived from a single gene through alternative RNA splicing mechanisms (1). Drebrin E has been observed to accumulate in the developmental stage of migrating neurons and in the growing cell processes of neurons. Drebrin A is found at the dendritic spines of mature cortical neurons where it plays a role in synaptic plasticity (2,3). Although drebrins are primarily found in neurons, they have also been found in skeletal muscle, heart, pancreas, and kidney. Research studies have shown that reduced expression of drebrin in the brain could be associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, Down Syndrome (4), and bipolar disorders (5). 1.Kojima, N. et al. (1993) Brain Res Mol Brain Res 19, 101-14. 2.Shirao, T. (1995) J Biochem 117, 231-6. 3.Ivanov, A. et al. (2009) J Cell Sci 122, 524-34. 4.Shim, K.S. and Lubec, G. (2002) Neurosci Lett 324, 209-12. 5.Kim, H.W. et al. (2010) Neurobiol Dis 37, 596-603.