The HTR3E antibody targets the Serotonin Receptor 3E, a ligand-gated ion channel involved in neuronal signaling and serotonin-mediated responses . The antibody is typically derived from rabbit polyclonal immunoglobulins, ensuring broad epitope recognition. Key features include:
Immunogen: Synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 133–162 (Middle Region) of human HTR3E .
Reactivity: Primarily tested in human samples, with cross-reactivity reported in dog, rabbit, and horse models .
Purification: Affinity chromatography on Protein A ensures high specificity .
The HRP conjugation enhances the antibody's utility in detection assays by enabling enzymatic amplification of signals . HRP catalyzes the oxidation of chromogenic or chemiluminescent substrates, producing visible precipitates or light emission, respectively . This makes the antibody suitable for:
Western Blotting (WB): Chemiluminescent detection of HTR3E in protein lysates.
Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA): Quantitative measurement of HTR3E levels.
Immunofluorescence (IF): Visualizing receptor localization in tissues .
The HTR3E antibody has been employed in studies investigating serotonin receptor function in:
Neurological Disorders: Examining HTR3E expression in brain regions linked to migraine and nausea .
Cancer Research: Analyzing receptor role in tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis .
Pharmacology: Screening for drugs targeting serotonin signaling pathways .
Multiple HTR3E antibody variants exist, differing in epitope regions and conjugations:
HTR3E is a subunit E of the type 3 receptor for 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), a biogenic hormone that functions as a neurotransmitter, hormone, and mitogen. It belongs to the ligand-gated ion channel receptor superfamily and causes fast, depolarizing responses in neurons after activation. HTR3E is part of a gene cluster on chromosome 3 that includes subunits C and D, with alternative splice variants identified though not fully characterized . The HTR3E subunit combines with other 5-HT3 subunits, particularly 5-HT3A, to form functional heteromeric receptors that contribute to serotonergic signaling in various tissues, especially within the gastrointestinal system .
HTR3E antibodies are typically generated against specific regions of the protein, with commercial antibodies often targeting the central/middle region (amino acids 133-162) or other defined sequences (AA 126-154, AA 26-248, or AA 360-409) . Specificity is achieved through careful immunogen design, commonly using KLH-conjugated synthetic peptides from human 5HT3E sequences. Validation typically involves detection of correctly sized bands in Western blots from transfected cells expressing the target protein (~55 kDa for HTR3E) and demonstration of signal abolishment through peptide competition assays .
For ELISA applications using HTR3E antibody, HRP conjugated, the following protocol guidelines are recommended:
Coat plates with capture antigen (recombinant HTR3E or tissue lysate) at 1-10 μg/ml in carbonate buffer (pH 9.6) overnight at 4°C
Block with 3-5% BSA or non-fat milk in PBST for 1-2 hours at room temperature
Incubate with HTR3E antibody, HRP conjugated at 1:100-1:1000 dilution in blocking buffer for 1-2 hours at room temperature
Wash 4-5 times with PBST
Develop with TMB substrate and stop with H₂SO₄
Read absorbance at 450nm
Optimization should include antibody titration experiments to determine the optimal signal-to-noise ratio for your specific sample type .
When using HTR3E antibody, HRP conjugated for Western blotting:
Prepare protein samples with reducing buffer and heat at 95°C for 5 minutes
Separate proteins by SDS-PAGE (10-12% gel recommended)
Transfer to PVDF or nitrocellulose membrane
Block with 5% non-fat milk in TBST for 1 hour at room temperature
Incubate with HTR3E antibody, HRP conjugated at 1:500-1:1000 dilution in blocking buffer overnight at 4°C
Wash 3-4 times with TBST, 5-10 minutes each
Develop directly with enhanced chemiluminescence substrate
Note that unlike non-conjugated antibodies, no secondary antibody incubation is required. Expected molecular weight for HTR3E is approximately 55 kDa. Researchers may need to optimize exposure times to achieve ideal signal intensity without background .
For optimal detection of HTR3E in tissue samples:
Fresh tissue samples should be rapidly fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde or flash-frozen
For protein extraction, use RIPA buffer supplemented with protease inhibitors
Homogenize tissues thoroughly using mechanical disruption
Clarify lysates by centrifugation at 14,000g for 15 minutes at 4°C
Determine protein concentration using BCA or Bradford assay
Load 20-50 μg of total protein per lane for Western blotting
For immunohistochemistry, consider antigen retrieval with TE buffer (pH 9.0) as this has been shown to enhance detection of serotonin receptor family members
HTR3E is particularly enriched in gastrointestinal tissues, especially in myenteric neurons, which should be considered when selecting sample sources .
Differentiating between 5-HT3 receptor subunits requires careful experimental design:
Select antibodies with confirmed specificity for HTR3E with minimal cross-reactivity to other subunits
Use multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes of HTR3E to confirm findings
Include appropriate positive controls (transfected cells expressing only HTR3E) and negative controls
Consider co-immunoprecipitation experiments to assess subunit interactions
Complement protein detection with mRNA analysis using subunit-specific primers
For functional studies, use pharmacological agents with differential selectivity for receptor subtypes
Research has demonstrated that 5-HT3C, 5-HT3D, and 5-HT3E subunits are coexpressed with 5-HT3A in cell bodies of myenteric neurons, requiring careful experimental design to distinguish individual subunit contributions .
Rigorous validation of HTR3E antibody specificity should include:
Western blot analysis showing bands of expected molecular weight (~55 kDa)
Peptide competition assays demonstrating signal abolishment when antibody is pre-incubated with immunogenic peptide
Testing in cell lines with confirmed HTR3E expression (e.g., HEK293 or HT-29 cells transfected with HTR3E)
Knockdown experiments using siRNA targeting HTR3E to confirm signal reduction
Parallel testing with multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes
Cross-validation with mRNA expression data
Previous research has validated antibody specificity through immunoprecipitation experiments using lysates of HEK293 cells expressing HTR3E subunits, with immunoreactive bands at the expected size of ~55 kDa .
When analyzing HTR3E expression differences between disease and healthy states:
Quantify expression using multiple methodologies (qPCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry)
Normalize expression data to appropriate housekeeping genes/proteins
Consider post-translational modifications that may affect antibody recognition
Evaluate expression in context of other 5-HT3 receptor subunits
Correlate findings with functional outcomes in disease models
Examine potential regulatory mechanisms (e.g., miRNA regulation)
Research has shown increased HTR3E expression in colonic mucosal tissue of patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) compared to controls, associated with decreased miR-510 expression. Additionally, HTR3E expression was significantly higher in patients with the GA genotype (rs56109847) compared to those with the GG genotype .
Common challenges and solutions include:
| Challenge | Troubleshooting Approach |
|---|---|
| High background signal | 1. Increase blocking time/concentration 2. Optimize antibody dilution (typically 1:1000-1:5000) 3. Increase wash frequency and duration 4. Use alternative blocking agents (BSA vs. milk) 5. Include 0.05% Tween-20 in washing buffers |
| Weak or no signal | 1. Verify target expression in sample 2. Decrease antibody dilution 3. Extend incubation time 4. Enhance detection system (e.g., super-signal ECL) 5. Ensure proper sample preparation and protein denaturation |
| Non-specific bands | 1. Optimize antibody dilution 2. Adjust blocking conditions 3. Perform peptide competition assay 4. Use freshly prepared samples 5. Include protease inhibitors during extraction |
| Variable results | 1. Standardize protein loading 2. Maintain consistent incubation times/temperatures 3. Use freshly prepared reagents 4. Aliquot antibody to avoid freeze-thaw cycles 5. Include positive controls in each experiment |
Optimization should be performed systematically, changing one variable at a time .
For quantitative analysis of HTR3E expression:
For Western blots:
Use image analysis software (ImageJ, Image Lab)
Normalize band intensity to loading controls (β-actin, GAPDH)
Include standard curves with known quantities when possible
Analyze 3-5 independent biological replicates
For ELISA:
Generate standard curves using recombinant HTR3E protein
Ensure measurements fall within linear range of detection
Run samples in technical triplicates
Apply appropriate statistical tests (t-test, ANOVA)
For RT-PCR:
Use validated reference genes for normalization
Apply 2^(-ΔΔCt) method for relative quantification
Validate primers for specificity and efficiency
Include appropriate statistical analysis and report both mean values and measures of variance .
When studying genetic variations affecting HTR3E:
Design genotyping methods that reliably distinguish variants:
PCR followed by restriction enzyme digestion (e.g., Hpy188III for rs56109847)
Confirm genotypes through nucleotide sequencing
Use appropriate controls for each genotype
For functional analysis of variants:
Construct expression vectors containing variant sequences
Use dual-luciferase reporter assays to quantify effects
Transfect into relevant cell lines (HEK293, HT-29)
Include appropriate controls (empty vectors, irrelevant miRNAs)
Correlate genotype with phenotype:
Consider population stratification
Adjust for covariates in statistical analysis
Validate findings in independent cohorts
Research has demonstrated that the rs56109847 variant disrupts the binding site of miR-510 and significantly upregulates luciferase expression in HEK293 and HT-29 cells, potentially explaining its association with IBS-D .
For multiplexed detection of serotonin receptor subunits:
Select antibodies raised in different host species to enable simultaneous detection
Alternatively, use directly conjugated antibodies with different fluorophores or enzymes
Validate absence of cross-reactivity between antibodies
Optimize signal-to-noise ratio for each antibody individually before multiplexing
Consider spectral overlap when selecting fluorophores
Include appropriate single-stained controls for compensation in flow cytometry
For immunohistochemistry, use sequential staining protocols with thorough washing between antibodies
This approach is particularly valuable for studying coexpression patterns of HTR3A, HTR3C, HTR3D, and HTR3E in tissues like the human colon, where these subunits have been shown to colocalize in myenteric neurons .
To investigate HTR3E functional significance:
Design gene silencing experiments:
Use siRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 to knock down HTR3E
Validate knockdown efficiency at protein and mRNA levels
Assess functional consequences on calcium flux, membrane potential, or cell signaling
Develop pharmacological approaches:
Use subtype-selective agonists/antagonists
Perform dose-response studies
Measure functional outputs (electrophysiology, calcium imaging)
Analyze protein-protein interactions:
Co-immunoprecipitation of HTR3E with other subunits
Proximity ligation assays to detect in situ interactions
FRET/BRET analysis for real-time interaction studies
Investigate trafficking and localization:
Use confocal microscopy with subcellular markers
Perform surface biotinylation assays
Analyze receptor internalization dynamics
These approaches can help determine how HTR3E contributes to receptor function, particularly in heteromeric complexes with HTR3A .
For investigating HTR3E as a therapeutic target:
Design preclinical studies:
Select appropriate disease models (IBS-D animal models, organoids)
Evaluate HTR3E expression in diseased vs. normal tissues
Assess correlation between HTR3E expression/function and disease phenotypes
Develop targeting strategies:
Screen for HTR3E-selective compounds
Design antibodies for receptor modulation rather than detection
Explore gene therapy approaches to modulate expression
Establish functional readouts:
Measure gastrointestinal motility (transit assays)
Evaluate secretory functions (Ussing chamber)
Assess pain sensitivity in animal models
Quantify inflammatory markers
Investigate genetic associations:
Expand on known associations like rs56109847
Perform genotype-phenotype correlations
Design personalized therapeutic approaches based on genetic profiles