DATASHEET
Host:
Rabbit
Target Protein:
GABAA Receptor α6
Specificity:
Specific for endogenous levels of the ~57 kDa α6-subunit of the GABAA receptor.
Clonality:
Polyclonal
Isotype:
IgG
Entrez Gene:
29708
Swiss Prot:
P30191
Source:
Synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid residues specific to the α6 subunit of rat GABAA receptor, conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH).
Purification:
Neat Pooled whole antiserum
Storage Buffer:
Neat whole antiserum
Storage:
Recommended that the undiluted antibody be aliquoted into smaller working volumes (10-30 uL/vial depending on usage) upon arrival and stored long term at -20° C or -80° C, while keeping a working aliq
Background:
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 GABA-A receptor (GABA-A-R) subtype. GABA-A-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 GABA-A-R is a multimeric subunit complex. To date six αs, four βs and four γs, plus alternative splicing variants of some of these subunits, have been identified (Olsen and Tobin, 1990; Whiting et al., 1999; Ogris et al., 2004). Injection in oocytes or mammalian cell lines of cRNA coding for α- and β-subunits results in the expression of functional GABA-A-Rs sensitive to GABA. However, coexpression of a γ-subunit is required for benzodiazepine modulation. The various effects of the benzodiazepines in brain may also be mediated via different α-subunits of the receptor (McKernan et al., 2000; Mehta and Ticku, 1998; Ogris et al., 2004; Pöltl et al., 2003). Lastly, phosphorylation of β-subunits of the receptor has been shown to modulate GABAA-R function (Brandon et al., 2003).