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Exploring the Brain Specific Proteome
Which proteins are expressed in the brain? We take a closer look at the human brain specific
proteome. We explore the Human Protein Atlas's analysis of the brain specific transcriptome,
and present selected antibodies against proteins specifically expressed in the brain. All
antibodies are presented on the Human Protein Atlas and available in our catalog as Triple A
Polyclonals. To learn more read the full summary on the human brain proteome knowledge
page on the Human Protein Atlas portal.
Two thirds of all human proteins are expressed in the brain
67% of all human genes, over 13,000 genes, are expressed in the brain. The number is based
on the Human Protein Atlas analysis of RNA-Seq data for approximately 20,000 human
proteins.
381 brain specific genes
Of all the genes expressed in brain, more than 1,200 genes show various degrees of elevated
expression in brain as compared to other tissues. The brain has the second highest number of
enriched and elevated genes in the organs studied, following testis which has the highest
number.
381 genes were found to be brain specific (enriched), expressed at least five times more in
brain as compared to other tissues. Most of these genes code for proteins involved in signaling
or transport.
The SLC1A2 gene is tissue enriched in brain, with at least 5 times higher RNA expression in brain compared to other tissues.
This is illustrated here with IHC staining in seven different tissues using the Anti-SLC1A2 antibody (HPA009172). No
staining is seen in cervix (A), colon (B), liver (C), lung (D), lymph node (E) or testis (F) tissues, whereas the Anti-SLC1A2
antibody shows strong positivity in brain (G).
Proteins specifically expressed in different cell types of the brain
Among the brain-enriched genes, many correspond to proteins expressed in a specific cell
type. Below we highlight a few examples of IHC stainings from antibodies directed against
cell type-specific proteins.
The Anti-NRGN antibody (HPA038171) detects neurogranin which is strongly expressed in all
pyramidal neurons, here shown in human cerebral cortex tissue.
The Anti-REEP2 antibody (HPA031813) detects receptor expression-enhancing protein 2, expressed
in a subset of pyramidal neurons in cerebral cortex.
GAD1 (Glutamate decarboxylase 1) is detected using the Anti-GAD1 (HPA058412) antibody. GAD1
is known to be expressed in the majority of cortical GABAergic interneurons.
GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) is a well-known astrocyte marker, here detected using the AntiGFAP antibody (HPA056030) in IHC in cerebral cortex tissue.
MBP (Myelin basic protein) is expressed in oligodendrocytes using the Anti-MBP antibody
(HPA049222) in IHC in cerebral cortex tissue.
The Anti-P2RY12 antibody (HPA014518) detects the P2Y purinoceptor 12 in microglia in cerebral
cortex.
CADM2 (Cell adhesion molecule 2) is strongly expressed in neuropil and peripheral nerve fibers. The
neuropil staining is illustrated using the Anti-CADM2 antibody (HPA010024) in cerebral cortex
tissue.
CADM2 peripheral nerve fiber expression can be seen in staining of colon tissue using the AntiCADM2 antibody (HPA010024).
Purkinje cells in cerebellum tissue can be detected using the Anti-CHD5 antibody (HPA055477)
directed against the Chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 5 protein.
Glioma
Glioma is a tumor that arises from glial cells. Gliomas make up 80% of all malignant brain
tumors.
In the Cancer Atlas on the Human Protein Atlas, all antibodies have been stained in 12
different glioma samples, as well as in samples from 19 other common cancers. OLIG2 is a
transcription factor expressed in glioma and is a useful positive diagnostic marker of brain
tumors. On the OLIG2 entry on the Cancer Atlas, stainings of glioma samples using the AntiOLIG2 antibody can be viewed.
The Anti-OLIG2 antibody (HPA003254) shows strong nuclear positivity in tumor cells in glioma (left) and weak nuclear
positivity in glial cells in normal cerebral cortex tissue (right).
The Atlas of the Mouse Brain
Antibodies against brain specific proteins can also be explored in the Atlas of the Mouse
Brain. The Atlas of the Mouse Brain is part of the Human Protein Altas, presenting highresolution fluorescence images of protein distribution on a cellular and subcellular level in the
mouse brain.
By IHC-IF using the Anti-NECAB1 antibody (HPA023629), subsets of neurons shows distinct
positivity in cell bodies and dendrites. Main location of the positive neurons are layer 4 of the cerebral
cortex.
IF staining of mouse dorsal tenia tecta using the Anti-MBP antibody (HPA049222) shows positivity in
neuronal processes.
IF staining of mouse piriform cortex using the Anti-GFAP antibody (HPA056030) shows
immunoreactivity in a subset of astrocytes.
Shared expression between brain, testis and adrenal gland
Group enriched genes show elevated expression in a group of 2-7 tissues. Most groupenriched genes in brain share expression with with testis and adrenal gland.
The AQP4 gene shows group-enriched expression for brain and lung, illustrated below using
the Anti-AQP4 antibody.
IHC staining of brain (A), tonsil (B), vagina (C) and lung (D) with Anti-AQP4 antibody (HPA014784)
showing positivity in brain and lung.
Selected Brain Specific Antibodies
We have compiled a list of a selected number of antibodies against brain specific proteins.
Explore the links to the Human Protein Atlas in the table below, and see the tissue expression
for the respective proteins in various tissues illustrated with RNA FPKM values as well as
staining intensity values. The links in the "Antibody" column takes you to the respective
product pages in our online store.
Antibody
Protein
Anti-GABRA1
(HPA055746)
Anti-SNAP25
(HPA001830)
Anti-SLC17A7
(HPA063679)
Anti-CHD5
(HPA055477)
Anti-CREG2
(HPA038224)
Anti-GABBR2
(HPA013820)
Anti-NRGN
(HPA038171)
Anti-NECAB1
(AMAb90798)
Anti-CLEC2L
(HPA045050)
Anti-GAD1
(HPA058412)
Anti-RAB3A
(HPA003160)
Anti-CADM2
(HPA010024)
Anti-OMG
(HPA012693)
Anti-PLP1
(HPA004128)
Anti-MBP
(HPA049222)
Anti-GFAP
(HPA056030)
Anti-OLIG2
(HPA003254)
Anti-REEP2
(HPA031813)
Anti-P2RY12
(HPA014518)
Anti-RPH3A
(HPA002475)
Gamma-aminobutyric acid
receptor subunit alpha-1
Synaptosomal-associated
protein 25
Vesicular glutamate
transporter 1
Chromodomain-helicaseDNA-binding protein 5
Tissue expression on
the Human Protein
Atlas
GABRA1 tissue
expression
SNAP25 tissue
expression
SLC17A7 tissue
expression
CHD5 tissue expression
Protein CREG2
CREG2 tissue expression
Gamma-aminobutyric acid
type B receptor subunit 2
GABBR2 tissue
expression
Neurogranin
NRGN tissue expression
N-terminal EF-hand calciumbinding protein 1
C-type lectin domain family 2
member L
NECAB1 tissue
expression
CLEC2L tissue
expression
Glutamate decarboxylase 1
GAD1 tissue expression
Ras-related protein Rab-3A
Cell adhesion molecule 2
RAB3A tissue
expression
CADM2 tissue
expression
Oligodendrocyte-myelin
glycoprotein
OMG tissue expression
Myelin proteolipid protein
PLP1 tissue expression
Myelin basic protein
MBP tissue expression
Glial fibrillary acidic protein GFAP tissue expression
Oligodendrocyte transcription
OLIG2 tissue expression
factor 2
Receptor expressionREEP2 tissue expression
enhancing protein 2
P2RY12 tissue
P2Y purinoceptor 12
expression
Rabphilin-3A
RPH3A tissue expression
Learn about brain histology in the Tissue Dictionary
Explore the function and histology of the brain in the Human Protein Atlas Tissue Dictionary:

Cerebral cortex entry in the Tissue Dictionary
Learn more

The Human Protein Atlas knowledge page of the human brain proteome
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