Neurons are dynamically polarized cells responsible for electrochemically transmitting information throughout the nervous system [1]. Neurons are anatomic, functional, and trophic units of the brain [2]. Despite great variability in size and shape, most neurons share common morphological features including a cell body, dendrites, the axon, and the axon terminals. The substantia nigra is a midbrain cluster of mostly dopaminergic neurons involved in behaviors such as learning, addiction, and movement. The substantia nigra has been implicated in disorders such as drug addiction and schizophrenia. Additionally, loss of substantia nigra neurons significantly contributes to the development of Parkinson's disease. Mouse neurons-substantia nigra (MN-sn) are a useful in vitro model for studying a wide variety of disorders including Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, and schizophrenia.

MN-sn from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from embryonic day 14 mouse substantia nigra. MN-sn are cryopreserved as primary cultures and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >1 x 106 cells in 1 ml volume. MN-sn are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to neurofilament and β-tubulin III. MN-sn are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. MN-sn are guaranteed to further culture under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories; however, MN-sn are not recommended for expanding or long-term cultures since the cells do not proliferate in culture.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use neuronal medium (NM, Cat. #1521) for the culturing of MN-sn in vitro.