GABA A Receptor beta 2 Antibody

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, causing a hyperpolarization of the membrane through the opening of a Cl- channel associated with the GABAA-Receptor (GABAA-R) subtype. GABAA-Rs are important therapeutic targets for a range of sedative, anxiolytic, and hypnotic agents and are implicated in several diseases including epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. The GABAA-R is a multimeric subunit complex. To date six alphas, four betas and four gammas, plus alternative splicing variants of some of these subunits, have been identified. Injection in oocytes or mammalian cell lines of cRNA coding for alpha and beta subunits results in the expression of functional GABAA-Rs sensitive to GABA. However, coexpression of a gamma subunit is required for benzodiazepine modulation. The various effects of the benzodiazepines in brain may also be mediated via different alpha subunits of the receptor. Lastly, phosphorylation of beta subunits of the receptor has been shown to modulate GABAA-R function.

GABAA Receptor b2 (CT) polyclonal antibody was raised against a fusion protein of MBP with the amino acid sequence representing the cytosolic loop of the rat GABAA-Receptor 2-Subunit.

GABAA Receptor antibody is specific for the 50 to 53k GABAA-Receptor β2-Subunit in rat brain membrane fractions. Antibody dilutions and tissue load should be based on tissue type and expected expression level. Initial recommended range of dilutions: 1:1000 to 1:2000. Recognizes bovine, human, mouse and rat GABAA-R-b2-subunit. Applications include Dot Blots (DB) and Western Blot (WB) . Suitability for Immunohistochemistry (IHC) not yet determined. When internally tested under ideal conditions the working dilutions were 1:1000 for DB and WB.

Kittler, J.T., McAinsh, K., Moss, S.J. "Mechanisms of GABA A receptor assembly and trafficking - Implications for the modulation of inhibitory neurotransmission, " Mol. Neurobiol 26 (2002) 2251 - 268.

Whiting, P.J., McKernan, R.M., Wafford, K.A. "Structure and pharmacology of vertebrate, GABAA receptor subtypes." In: International Review of Neurobiology (Bradley, R.J., Harris R.A., eds.), pp 95. San Diego: Academic Press (1995) .

Pritchett, D.B., Sontheimer, H., Shivers, B.D., Yner, S., Kettenman, H., Schofield, P.R., Seeburg, P.H. "Importance of a novel GABAA receptor subunit for benzodiazepine pharmacology, " Nature (London) 338 (1989) 582 - 585.