GLR1.3 Antibody

Introduction to GLRAntibody

The GLR1.3 antibody is a specialized tool used to detect and study the glutamate receptor-like protein 1.3 (GLR1.3), a member of the ionotropic glutamate receptor family. These receptors play critical roles in neurotransmission in animals and stress responses in plants. Antibodies targeting GLR1.3 enable researchers to investigate its expression, localization, and function in diverse biological contexts, from neurological disorders to plant cold tolerance mechanisms .

Target Protein Overview

• In mammals: GLR1.3 (also termed GluA3 or GluR3) is a subunit of AMPA-type glutamate receptors, which mediate fast synaptic signaling in the central nervous system. It contains extracellular ligand-binding domains, transmembrane regions, and intracellular C-terminal domains involved in trafficking .

• In plants: Arabidopsis thaliana GLR1.3 (AtGLR1.3) is a homolog of animal glutamate receptors, implicated in jasmonate signaling and cold stress responses .

Antibody Design

The GLR1.3 antibody (e.g., Alomone Labs #AGC-010) targets an extracellular epitope of the rat GluR3 subunit, corresponding to residues 60–73 (CEKPFHLNYHVDHLD) . Its specificity has been validated in:

Neurological Disorders

Autoantibodies against GluR3 (GLR1.3) are implicated in Rasmussen’s encephalitis, a rare pediatric autoimmune disorder characterized by severe epilepsy and brain inflammation :

• Key evidence: Immunization of rabbits with GluR3 protein induced seizure-like behaviors and histopathological features resembling Rasmussen’s encephalitis .

• Clinical relevance: Plasma exchange in patients reduced GluR3 antibody titers and improved neurological function transiently .

Plant Biology

In Arabidopsis, AtGLR1.3 regulates cold tolerance through jasmonate signaling:

Specificity Controls

• Preabsorption assays: Preincubation with GluR3 blocking peptide abolishes signal in Western blots and immunohistochemistry .

• Cross-reactivity: The antibody shows no reactivity with unrelated glutamate receptor subunits (e.g., GluR1 or GluR2) .

Experimental Workflows

1. Sample preparation: Use fresh or frozen tissues (e.g., rodent cerebellum) for optimal antigen preservation .

2. Dilution optimization: Typical working dilutions range from 1:400 (Western blot) to 1:100 (immunohistochemistry) .

3. Data quantification: Normalize signals using housekeeping proteins (e.g., β-tubulin) to account for loading variability .

Emerging Insights and Future Directions

• Therapeutic potential: Targeting GluR3 autoantibodies could offer novel strategies for managing Rasmussen’s encephalitis .

• Agricultural relevance: Modulating AtGLR1.3 in crops may enhance cold tolerance, improving yield under stress .