Staggerer-specific protein SP47: a unique species among age- and genotype-dependent cerebellar proteins.

Genotype- and age-specific proteins are found in the developing cerebellum of wildtype and staggerer (sg/sg) mutant mice by analysis of silver-stained one- and two-dimensional protein patterns. The methods used are suitable for gross inspection of protein patterns without previous purification, labeling, or immunochemistry. SP47, a polypeptide of 47 kD with a pI of 6.0, appears in the mature staggerer cerebellum, but not in the wildtype. SP47 is different from the astrocytic glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as shown by immunoblotting. Four polypeptides have been identified with distinct development- and genotype-dependent patterns in the cerebellum. Some of the changes are correlated with events during postnatal histogenesis.