Peripherin (PRPH)

Peripherin, a type III intermediate filament protein, was initially described by Portier et al. (1984) as a cytoskeletal protein present in neurons of the mammalian peripheral nervous system (hence, the name) and in cultured neuroblastoma cells.

The amino-terminal region contained potential serine phosphorylation sites. Northern blot analysis detected a corresponding mRNA in ganglia of the peripheral nervous system, including the superior cervical ganglion, ciliary ganglion, and dorsal root ganglion. In the central nervous system, expression was detected in motor nuclei of cranial nerves and ventral horn neurons. Expression was induced by nerve growth factor.