dop-4 Antibody
Description
Definition and Biological Context
The dop-4 Antibody is a specialized immunological reagent targeting the DOP-4 dopamine receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). DOP-4 is part of the invertebrate-specific dopamine receptor family and plays critical roles in modulating chemosensory avoidance behaviors, neuronal signaling, and locomotion . Antibodies against DOP-4 are primarily used to study its expression patterns, subcellular localization, and functional interactions in C. elegans.
Gene and Protein Structure
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Gene: dop-4 (Gene ID: 183715) is located on chromosome X in C. elegans .
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Protein: DOP-4 is a seven-transmembrane receptor with homology to mammalian D2-like dopamine receptors. It contains conserved intracellular loops critical for G-protein coupling .
Functional Role in C. elegans
DOP-4 modulates dopamine-dependent behaviors, including:
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Chemosensory Avoidance: Required for food-modulated responses to noxious stimuli (e.g., octanol, copper) .
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Neuronal Signaling: Expressed in ASH sensory neurons and interneurons (e.g., AUA, RIM), influencing synaptic transmission .
Key Research Findings
Experimental Uses
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Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Localizes DOP-4 expression in C. elegans neurons (e.g., ASH, AUA) .
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Western Blotting: Detects DOP-4 protein in lysates (typical size: ~50–60 kDa) .
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Functional Studies: Validates receptor knockdown/knockout models (e.g., dop-4(ok1321) mutants) .
Research Challenges and Limitations
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Cross-Reactivity: Some anti-DOP-4 antibodies may cross-react with other dopamine receptors (e.g., DOP-1, DOP-3) due to conserved epitopes .
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Expression Specificity: Low fluorescence intensity in reporter constructs complicates neuronal mapping .
Future Directions
Product Specs
Constituents: 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4
Target Background
- A high-throughput learning assay was developed using real-time computer vision software for behavioral tracking and optogenetics for stimulation of the C. elegans polymodal nociceptor, ASH. Food and dopamine signaling were found to slow habituation downstream from ASH excitation via the D1-like dopamine receptor, DOP-4. This assay enables large-scale genetic and drug screens to investigate mechanisms of nociception modulation. PMID: 27634141
- DOP-4 exhibits high sequence homology with D1-like dopamine receptors specific to invertebrates, distinct from mammalian D1-like dopamine receptors. A reporter gene assay demonstrated that DOP-4 stimulates cAMP accumulation in response to dopamine stimulation. PMID: 16001968
