Description
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 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