Anti-Visinin-like Protein 1 (VSNL1, VILIP, VISL1, VLP-1, Hippocalcin-like Protein 3, HLP3)

Visinin was originally isolated biochemically from chicken retina as a major protein of about 24kD on SDS-PAGE (1). Following cloning and sequencing of visinin, several visinin like proteins were discovered by homology screening (2, 3). One of these, Visinin-like protein 1 is a small Calcium binding protein which is very abundant in the nervous system and is found only in neurons, though different neurons have different levels of expression (4, 5). It is particularly concentrated in cerebellar Purkinje cells, and tends to be most abundant in perikarya and dendrites. The protein was discovered independently by several groups and is therefore also sometimes known as hippocalcin-like protein 3, HLP3, HPCAL3, HUVISL1, VLP-1, VILIP and VILIP-1. The protein belongs to the large superfamly of calmodulin and paravalbumin type proteins which function by binding Calcium ions. Calcium binding alters the confomation of these proteins and allow them to interact with other binding partners, the properties of which they may alter. Visinin-like protein 1 has four "EF hand" domains, which are negatively charged helix-turn-helix peptides which are responsible for Calcium binding. Visinin-like protein 1 is 191 amino acids in size and has a molecular weight on SDS-PAGE of 22kD. The protein has recently been suggested to be a useful biomarker of Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury (6, 7, 8). The HGNC name for this protein is VSNL1. Applications: Suitable for use in Immunofluorescence and Western Blot. Other applications not tested. Recommended Dilution: Immunofluorescence: 1:500-1:1000, Western Blot: 1:1000-1:2000 using chemiluminescence., Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. Storage and Stability: May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for 12 months. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.