Merck, MABE230, Anti-SMN2 Antibody, clone SMN-KH

Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) is expressed from two linked paralogous genes, SMN1 and SMN2. SMNs are primarily localized in the cytoplasm and nuclear gems of all cells, where they are understood to mediate the assembly of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs). They also play a role in the metabolism of snoRNPs and are required for the splicing of pre-mRNA in the nucleus. The progressive loss of functional SMNs in the anterior horn of the spinal cord is a critical cause of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease. There are three known types of childhood-onset SMA, in addition to a fourth type that is characterized by adult-onset SMA.