GFAP
GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) is a class-III intermediate filament and one of the major intermediate filament proteins of mature astrocytes. It is widely used as a cell-specific marker that distinguishes astrocytes from other glial cells. Browse Assay Genie's current range of GFAP research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
GFAP is a class-III intermediate filament protein and belongs to the intermediate filament family. It is one of the major intermediate filament proteins of mature astrocytes, where it localises to the cytoplasm. During development of the central nervous system, GFAP expression is a cell-specific feature that distinguishes astrocytes from other glial cells, which is why the protein is so commonly used as an astrocyte marker in neuroscience research.
The GFAP gene encodes the glial fibrillary acidic protein. HGNC places it in the Type III intermediate filaments gene group, and it is also listed under the alias FLJ45472. Alternative splicing of the gene produces multiple transcript variants that encode distinct isoforms, so researchers working with the GFAP protein should consider which isoform is relevant to their question. Orthologous genes, named Gfap, are present in mouse and rat, which allows the protein to be studied in common rodent models.
Mutations in the GFAP gene cause Alexander disease, a rare disorder of astrocytes in the central nervous system. This link between a structural astrocyte protein and a human disease means GFAP is of interest both as a cellular marker and as a subject of study in its own right. Work on GFAP therefore spans developmental neurobiology, glial cell biology and the investigation of astrocyte-related disorders.
GFAP is a cell-specific marker that distinguishes astrocytes from other glial cells, making it a standard readout for astrocyte identity.
GFAP is used during development of the central nervous system to separate astrocytes from other glial lineages.
Mutations in the GFAP gene cause Alexander disease, a rare astrocyte disorder of the central nervous system.
As a class-III intermediate filament and major component of mature astrocytes, GFAP is a model for cytoskeletal studies in glia.
GFAP is a class-III intermediate filament and one of the major intermediate filament proteins of mature astrocytes. It is best known as a cell-specific marker that distinguishes astrocytes from other glial cells during development of the central nervous system. It is found in the cytoplasm.
GFAP stands for glial fibrillary acidic protein, and FLJ45472 is listed as an alias. Alternative splicing of the gene results in multiple transcript variants that encode distinct isoforms. Check the datasheet of any product for the isoform or region it targets.
Mouse and rat both have a Gfap ortholog. In humans, mutations in the GFAP gene cause Alexander disease, a rare disorder of astrocytes in the central nervous system. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other intermediate filament proteins and glial or neural markers that sit alongside GFAP in nervous system research.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P14136; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.