In Focus: 5-HT3 Receptors

5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin) is one of the most versatile neurotransmitters. It signals in part through 5-HT3 receptors which belong to the super family of ligand-gated ion channels.

5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptors are cation-selective Cys-loop receptors expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems where they mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission². Five receptor subunits have been identified thus far (5-HT3A to 5-HT3E) with 5-HT3A and 5-HT3B receptors being the best characterized among the different types. To form a functional receptor, five subunits assemble around a pore permeable to Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ ions. The presence of one or more 5-HT3A receptor subunits is necessary and essential³. Each 5-HT3 receptor subunit has a large extracellular domain critical for ligand binding, four transmembrane domains important for pore formation, and an intracellular domain responsible for activity modulation, receptor trafficking and sorting².

5-HT3 receptors have become important therapeutic targets for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), side effects resulting from chemotherapeutic treatment, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder^1,4.

Alomone Labs offers an extensive 5-HT3 receptor reagent portfolio. Our product range includes highly specific antibodies to the receptors, which enable detection of 5-HT3 receptors in western blot analysis and various immunostaining protocols.

We also offer a large array of pharmacological reagents:

• Highly pure products
• Negligible lot to lot variability
• All lots biologically tested
• Large size range available
• Lyophilized and shipped at room temperature

5-HT3 receptor Explorer Kits are Budget-Friendly priced screening packages. Each Explorer Kit contains a set of antibodies or a group of pharmacological reagents targeting 5-HT3 receptors.

References

1. Faerber, L. et al. (2007) Eur. J. Pharmacol. 560, 1.
2. Lummis, S.C. (2012) J. Biol. Chem. 287, 40239.
3. Wu, Z.S. et al. (2015) Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 36, 895.
4. Thompson, A.J. and Lummis, S.C. (2006) Curr. Pharm. Des. 12, 3615.