Study of a 53 kDa cell surface antigen of oligodendrocytes in culture.

It was shown previously that pure oligodendrocytes release proteins when maintained in a chemically defined medium. Among these proteins, a 53 kDa glycoprotein was characterized as a component accessible from the external surface of these glial cells. Specific antibodies directed against this glycoprotein were obtained using two different procedures. They were tested on immunoblots of different cells; the protein was detected in C6 glioma cells and fibroblasts, but not in astrocytes. No immunoreactive band was observed on immunoblots of developing rat brain suggesting that this protein may be a minor constituent of the oligodendrocyte in vivo. These antibodies were also used on oligodendrocyte cultures to confirm our earlier finding that this glycoprotein is on the surface of the oligodendroglial plasma membrane. This protein appears to be a useful surface marker for oligodendrocytes in culture.