Peripherin

Peripherin is a type III intermediate filament found initially in sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).  It serves as a marker for autonomic and sensory neurons in the PNS and motor neurons in the CNS. Peripherin is a diagnostic marker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and certain neuronally-derived tumors. Brain injuries can also trigger expression of peripherin and the formation of peripherin accumulations in neurons that are normally silent for this gene.  

Peripherin is also expressed in certain neuroendocrine tumors and in the insulin producing cells of the pancreas.  Autoantibodies to peripherin are also frequently seen in the sera of patients with diabetes.

Image: Rat mixed neuron/glial cultures stained with Peripherin (green channel) and Neurofilament alpha-internexin/NF66 (green channel). These cultures contain mostly neurons which are rich in alpha-internexin, and a subgroup which have a large amount of peripherin also, such as the prominent cell in the middle of the micrograph. Since this cell expresses large amounts of peripherin and alpha-internexin, the green and red signals superimpose to produce a golden cell. Blue is a DNA stain. Protocol on data-sheet.