Antibodies against the major brain isoforms of 14-3-3 protein. An antibody specific for the N-acetylated amino-terminus of a protein.

14-3-3 proteins are apparently ubiquitous eukaryotic proteins that comprise a large number of isoforms. They have been implicated in the regulation of a wide range of biological processes [reviewed in Aitken et al. (1992) Trends Biochem. Sci. 17, 498-501]. We have raised specific antibodies against each mammalian brain isoform of 14-3-3 employing peptides synthesised from the amino-terminal regions. The peptides were, like the proteins from mammalian brain, N-acetylated. The antiserum specific for the epsilon isoform did not recognise the recombinant form of this protein (lacking the N-acetyl co-translational modification) expressed in E. coli until it was chemically acetylated.