Synaptic Vesicle Sampler Kit

A synapse, where an axon terminal (presynapse) meets a dendrite (postsynapse), is the functional unit of the brain, and the site of connection between neurons or neuro-glial cells. Structural and functional alterations to the presynaptic terminals, and synapse loss are a common feature of many neurodegenerative disorders and are associated with sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments. In order to study synapses and how they are affected in disease, highly specific antibodies are needed that allow visualization of these structures, assessment of protein subcellular localization, protein co-localization, and expression within the pre- and postsynaptic compartments by microscopy or biochemical assays, namely western blotting (WB). Our Presynaptic Vesicle Antibody Sampler Kit contains antibodies for proteins involved in glutamate transport (VGlut1, SVOP), synaptic vesicle membrane fusion, and neurotransmitter release (Syntaxin, Synapsin, SNAP-25).
 

Presynaptic Vesicle Antibody Sampler Kit contents:

Clone N28/9 detects vesicular glutamate transporter (VGlut) 1, a vesicle-bound transporter that acts in a sodium-dependent manner. It is located within the membranes of synaptic vesicles and is specifically expressed in neurons.

Clone N356/9 is specific for synaptic vesicle 2-related protein (SVOP), which is expressed in brain and endocrine cells, and is involved in neurotransmitter transport. SVOP is expressed early in development and decreases in expression during aging.

Clone A17080A recognizes synapsins I, II, and III. These proteins anchor synaptic vesicles to the cytoskeletal structures at the presynaptic terminal.

Clone SP8 detects syntaxin, which drives the spontaneous fusion of synaptic vesicles that contain v-SNARE proteins, and may form part of the fusion pore of exocytosis.

Clone SMI 81 detects synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25), a component of the trans-SNARE (t-SNARE) complex. SNAP-25 has been reported to account for the specificity of membrane fusion.

The Postsynaptic Antibody Sampler Kit includes antibodies for major scaffold proteins Shank, PSD95, and PSD93. This kit also contains antibodies for SAP102, a member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) superfamily as well as a pan-MAGUK reactive antibody.
 

Postsynaptic Vesicle Antibody Sampler Kit contents:
 

Clone N23B/49 detects SHANK proteins, which are adapter proteins that interact with other postsynaptic density proteins such as PSD-95 and Homer to form a structure that anchors glutamate receptors to the postsynaptic membrane.

Clone K28/86 is a pan-reactive antibody that detects membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUK), a superfamily of scaffolding proteins defined by the presence of a guanylate kinase (GUK) domain. MAGUKs are involved in the spatial organization of pre- and postsynaptic proteins.

Clone K28/74 detects PSD95, which is expressed at postsynaptic sites where it mediates the scaffolding of NMDA receptors, AMPA receptors, potassium channels, and other associated signaling protein clusters.

Clone N18/28 detects PSD-93, a member of the MAGUK family. It regulates expression of receptors at the postsynaptic membrane by directly interacting with the cytoplasmic tail of NMDA receptor subunits.

Clone N19/2 detects SAP102, another member of the MAGUK family. It interacts with a number of adhesion molecules as well as glutamate receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, mediating scaffolding of synaptic signaling.