The GABAB receptor 1 (GABABR1) antibody is a critical tool for studying the GABAB receptor, a class of metabotropic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that mediate the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. The GABAB receptor exists as a heterodimer composed of GABABR1 and GABABR2 subunits, with GABABR1 being essential for ligand binding and GABABR2 facilitating signal transduction. This receptor modulates synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity, playing roles in conditions like anxiety, epilepsy, and chronic pain.
Antibodies targeting GABABR1 are widely used in neuroscience research to investigate receptor expression, localization, and function in tissues or cell models. They enable techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, helping to map receptor distribution in the brain and study its involvement in neurological disorders. Specificity is critical, as GABABR1 has splice variants (e.g., GABABR1a/R1b) with distinct roles. Many antibodies are raised against epitopes in the extracellular or cytoplasmic domains, validated for cross-reactivity across species like human, mouse, and rat.
Research using GABABR1 antibodies has advanced understanding of synaptic regulation and therapeutic targeting, particularly for drugs treating spasticity, addiction, and neuropathic pain. However, challenges remain in distinguishing isoforms and ensuring minimal cross-reactivity with related proteins. Proper validation via knockout controls or peptide blocking is essential for reliable results.