What is the Difference Between NeuN and MAP2?

NeuN and MAP2 are two mature neuronal markers that play important roles in the body. The key difference between NeuN and MAP2 is that NeuN is a protein coded by the RBFOX3 gene, while MAP2 is a protein coded by the MAP2 gene. Some other differences between NeuN and MAP2 include:

• Molecular Weight: NeuN has a molecular weight of 46 kDa, while MAP2 has a molecular weight of 199 kDa.
• Subcellular Localization: MAP2 has four isoforms (MAP2a, MAP2b, MAP2c, and MAP2d) that are localized differently within neurons. MAP2a and MAP2b are found in dendrites, MAP2c is in axons, and MAP2d is not limited to neurons and can also be found in glia, such as oligodendrocytes. NeuN, on the other hand, is a neuronal nuclear antigen and neuron differentiation marker.

Despite these differences, both NeuN and MAP2 are proteins made up of amino acids and are expressed in neuronal cells. They are useful for identifying neuronal cells and have been studied for their roles in neuron differentiation and mature neuronal cell markers.

Comparative Table: NeuN vs MAP2

Here is a table comparing the differences between NeuN and MAP2:

NeuN is a protein coded by the RBFOX3 gene and is considered a neuronal marker involved in neuron differentiation. On the other hand, MAP2 is a protein coded by the MAP2 gene and is a microtubule-associated protein involved in cytoskeletal organization and neuronal development. Both NeuN and MAP2 are useful markers for identifying mature neuronal cells.