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.

Antibody 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