5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 3B (5-HT3B) belongs to the super-family of ligand-gated ion channels. Serotonin receptors, other than 5-HT3 subtype belong to the super-family of G-protein coupled receptors.
The 5-HT3 receptor is formed by five subunits arranged around a pore forming unit. Receptors could be either monomeric, such as 5-HT3A or heteromeric entities like 5-HT3A/B. Indeed, the type of channel formed displays different pharmacological and electrophysiological characteristics1,2. To date, five 5-HT3 subunits have been identified 5-HT3A-E, which show variability in the N-terminus and in the transmembrane region2. 5-HT3A and 5-HT3B are the best characterized among the different types.
In general, 5-HT3 receptors are located in the peripheral and central nervous system, in lymphocytes and intestinal enterochromaffine cells2. In presynaptic neurons, activation of these receptors leads to an increase in intracellular Ca2+ (by both influx and mobilization of intracellular stores), and modulates the release of a number of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides2. At the postsynaptic level, activation leads to membrane depolarization2,3. The localization of 5-HT3B subunits is somewhat controversial; some studies show that its expression is restricted to the peripheral nervous system and others show that it is also detected in the brain and in hippocampal neurons1,4-7.
5-HT3 receptors have become important targets for which to develop treatments regarding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), side effects resulting from chemotherapeutic treatment, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder1,2.
Alomone Labs is pleased to offer a highly specific antibody directed against an extracellular epitope of rat 5-HT3B. Anti-5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 3B (extracellular) antibody (#ASR-032) can be used in western blot analysis and has been designed to recognize 5-HT3B from rat and mouse samples.
Alomone Labs is pleased to offer a new version of this antibody that is directly labeled with an ATTO-488 fluorescent dye. ATTO dyes are characterized by strong absorption (high extinction coefficient), high fluorescence quantum yield, and high photo-stability. The ATTO-488 label is analogous to the well known dye fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and can be used with filters typically used to detect FITC. The Anti-5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 3B (extracellular)-ATTO-488 antibody (#ASR-032-AG) has been tested in direct flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry applications and is specially suited for experiments requiring simultaneous labeling of different markers.
