Evolution of the "titin epitope" in neurofilament proteins

1. The specificity of a monoclonal antibody raised to human titin was characterized. The antibody reacts with an epitope which is common to titin and the high mol. wt subunits NF-H and NF-M of mammalian neurofilaments. 2. Mapping of the epitope indicated that it is located in the carboxyterminal extension of NF-H and NF-M, and that its reactivity does not depend on the phosphorylation state of the molecule. 3. A comparative study on neurofilament protein of lower vertebrates revealed that this epitope has been conserved during vertebrate evolution.