Antibodies to 5-hydroxytryptamine (Serotonin) Receptors - FocusOn 042
Introduction: 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), also known as Serotonin, is probably unique among the monoamines in that its effects are subserved by as many as thirteen distinct heptahelical, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and one (presumably a family of) ligand-gated ion channel(s). These receptors are divided into seven distinct classes [5-HT(1) to 5-HT(7)] largely on the basis of their structural and operational characteristics.
Whilst this degree of physical diversity clearly underscores the physiological importance of serotonin, evidence for an even greater degree of operational diversity continues to emerge. The challenge for modern 5-HT research has therefore been to define more precisely the properties of the systems that make this incredible diversity possible. Much progress in this regard has been made during the last decade with the realisation that serotonin is possibly the least conservative monoamine transmitter and the cloning of its many receptors. Coupled with the actions of an extremely avid and efficient reuptake system, this array of receptor subtypes provides almost limitless signalling capabilities to the extent that one might even question the need for other transmitter systems. However, the complexity of the system appears endless, since posttranslational modifications, such as alternate splicing and RNA editing, increase the number of proteins, oligomerisation and heteromerisation increase the number of complexes, and multiple G-protein suggest receptor trafficking, allowing phenotypic switching and crosstalk within and possibly between receptor families. Whether all these possibilities are used in vivo under physiological or pathological conditions remains to be firmly established.
Antibody Tools for the Specific Detection of 5-HT Receptors
For specific detection of the 13 serotonin receptor subtypes a unique antibody panel is available from Acris Antibodies. All antibodies were made using receptor specific peptides for immunisation. Every single antibody was tested thoroughly for the applications listed in the table below. A picture gallery at the end of this article shows staining results achieved using these products.
Vascular smooth muscle paraffin section stained with SP4041P for 5-HT1BR |
Human Kidney renal tubules paraffin section stained with SP4045P for 5-HT1FR |
Rat brain frozen section stained with 24288 for 5-HT2AR |
Human heart paraffin section stained with SP4046P for 5-HT2BR |
Human kidney renal tubules paraffin section stained with SP4047P for 5-HT2BR |
Human brain vessel paraffin section stained with SP4048P for 5-HT4R |
Human brain neurons paraffin section stained with SP4049P for 5-HT6R |
Small intestine smooth muscle section stained SP4050P for 5-HT7R |
Small intestine paraffin section stained with SP4051P for 5-HT7R |
Staining of 5-HT1B Receptor antibody SP7000P, 5-HT1D Receptor antibody SP7001P, 5-HT3 Receptor antibody SP7002P, and 5-HT7 Receptor antibody SP7003P (from left to right) using human brain cell lysates at 1-2 µg/ml dilution. | ||
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Rabbit anti 5-HT3B antibody ARP35186 staining of paraffin embedded human spleen: cells with positive label are indicated with arrowsAntibody Panel to Serotonin Receptors
Serotonin receptor (5-hydroxytryptamine receptor / 5-HT) : HTR1A (5-HT1A Receptor, 5-HT1AR), HTR1B, HTR1D, HTR1E, HTR1F, HTR2A, HTR2B, HTR2C, HTR3A, HTR3B, HTR4, HTR5A, HTR6, HTR7, and HTRA2
