GABRE Antibody
Description
Introduction
The GABRE antibody is a class of immunoglobulins designed to target the epsilon subunit of the GABA_A receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel critical for synaptic inhibition in the nervous system. GABRE (Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit epsilon) is encoded by the GABRE gene located on the X chromosome (Xq28) and is expressed in tissues such as the heart, placenta, and brain regions involved in thermoregulation and cardiovascular control . This article synthesizes data on the antibody's structure, experimental uses, and clinical relevance, drawing from peer-reviewed studies and commercial antibody databases.
Structure and Function
Antibodies, including those targeting GABRE, adopt a Y-shaped structure composed of two heavy chains and two light chains. The Fab fragment (fragment antigen-binding) mediates specific binding to the GABRE protein, while the Fc region interacts with immune effector molecules . GABRE antibodies are used in research to study:
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GABA_A receptor assembly: GABRE is a distinct subunit that modifies receptor pharmacology, conferring resistance to anesthetics and shaping synaptic plasticity .
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Neuronal subsets: GABRE-expressing neurons in the preoptic area regulate body temperature and heart rate, as demonstrated by chemogenetic activation experiments .
3.1. Thermoregulation and Cardiovascular Studies
Chemogenetic modulation of GABRE neurons in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) revealed:
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Activation reduces rectal and surface temperatures via mechanisms independent of TRPM2-expressing warm-sensitive neurons .
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Inhibition during general anesthesia decreases heart rate by ~20%, indicating baseline GABRE neuronal activity maintains cardiovascular stability .
3.2. Autoimmune Encephalitis
While GABRE antibodies are not implicated in autoimmune encephalitis, studies on anti-GABA_A receptor encephalitis highlight the broader role of GABA_A receptor subunits in neuroinflammation. Patients with anti-α1/β3 subunit antibodies exhibit seizures, cognitive deficits, and MRI abnormalities, underscoring the receptor's critical role in neuronal function .
Clinical Relevance
Product Specs
Target Background
- This research revealed that in male cohorts, GABRE expression was generally lower in individuals with schizophrenia compared to control groups. PMID: 25660468
- Data suggest that the GABA(A) receptor subunit epsilon (GABRE) along with the miR-452 and miR-224 locus are downregulated and hypermethylated in prostate cancer. This finding positions this locus as a promising epigenetic biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer. PMID: 24737792
- GABRE protein levels were found to be significantly elevated in the lateral cerebellum of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder when compared to controls. PMID: 24022508
- Utilizing published data on alpha subunits, we identified two principal components, designated 'Decreasing' (alpha2, alpha5, beta1, gamma1, and gamma3) and 'Dynamic' (alpha1, alpha4, beta2, and gamma2). These components account for 84% of the variation in GABA(A)R subunit development. PMID: 20609421
- An analysis of inter-patient variability in eleven highly expressed GABAAR subunit mRNAs revealed variations in seven of the subunits among individuals with epilepsy, as well as variations in whole-cell GABAAR currents. PMID: 15755675
- Our findings indicate that the GABA-activated current can be potentiated at pH 8.4 for both alphabeta and alphabeta gamma subunit-containing receptors, but only at GABA concentrations below the EC40. PMID: 15946973
- We infer that activation by anesthetics and GABA induces a similar conformational change at the M2 segment 6' position, which is associated with channel opening. PMID: 17293408
- Increased intracortical excitability is observed in individuals with the GABA A receptor gamma 2 subunit (GABRG2 Arg43Glu) mutation. These findings likely provide crucial insights into the mechanisms linking this genetic defect to the epilepsy phenotype. PMID: 17615250
- Elevated expression of epsilon, in conjunction with alpha2 and beta3 subunits, results in the expression of GABAA receptors with corresponding alterations in rectification, deactivation, and spontaneous opening levels. However, this does not lead to an increase in total current density. PMID: 17714454
- While GABRE genes did not exhibit positive association, further research is necessary to consider the role of other GABA receptor genes in migraine susceptibility. PMID: 19087248
