Monoclonal antibodies recognising cell surface molecules expressed by rat cerebellar interneurons

We describe monoclonal antibodies recognising three cell surface antigens expressed by rat cerebellar granule neurons. The antibodies were produced after immunising mice with a cerebellar glycoprotein preparation. 6-1-3 recognises a glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of 144 000 daltons, and gives an unusual staining pattern on cultured neurons. 7-8D2 recognises postmitotic granule cells, but not their precursors in the external granular layer. The antigen was not detected in any brain region other than the cerebellum. 8-20-1 recognises a brain specific glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of 48 000 daltons, which appears on cerebellar granule cells only after the 10th postnatal day.