Monoclonal Anti-CNPase antibody produced in mouse clone 11-5B, ascites fluid

CNPase (2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase, E.C.3.1.4. 37) is a unique enzyme. It is a constituent of cells that elaborate myelin in the central and peripheral nervous systems, i.e. oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells respectively, and is virtually absent in other cell types in the nervous system.The enzyme isolated from mammalian brain is primarily a mixed dimer of approximately 94 kDa. The dimer consists of a varied proportion of CNP1 (46 kDa) and CNP2 (48 kDa) subunits in various species. The high levels of CNPase observed in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells portend a vital role of this enzyme in the normal function of these cells. They are distinguished from nearly all other cells by their ability to synthesize and maintain vast amounts of multilamellar membrane, known as myelin. It seems very likely that CNPase is expressed at high levels in these particular cells to facilitate the elaboration and maintenance of myelin or to carry out functions imposed or afforded by the unique membrane structure of myelin. Since the enzyme is a myelin-associated enzyme, it is of considerable interest in the study of diseases and disorders in which myelin is affected, such as multiple sclerosis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, acquired immunodefi ciency with CNS involvement, peripheral neuropathies, etc. Another important use is the study of reinnervation of the neuromuscular junction and the identification of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, very early in postnatal development.