Immunochemical localization of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in mouse brain.
Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2, SLC18A2) is a transmembrane transporter protein that packages dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine into vesicles in preparation for neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic neuron. VMAT2 function and related vesicle dynamics have been linked to susceptibility to oxidative stress, exogenous toxicants, and Parkinson's disease. To address a recent depletion of commonly used antibodies to VMAT2, we generated and characterized a novel rabbit polyclonal antibody generated against a 19 amino acid epitope corresponding to an antigenic sequence within the C-terminal tail of mouse VMAT2. We used genetic models of altered VMAT2 expression to demonstrate that the antibody specifically recognizes VMAT2 and localizes to synaptic vesicles. Furthermore, immunohistochemical labeling using this VMAT2 antibody produces immunoreactivity that is consistent with expected VMAT2 regional distribution. We show the distribution of VMAT2 in monoaminergic brain regions of mouse brain, notably the midbrain, striatum, olfactory tubercle, dopaminergic paraventricular nuclei, tuberomammillary nucleus, raphe nucleus, and locus coeruleus. Normal neurotransmitter vesicle dynamics are critical for proper health and functioning of the nervous system, and this well-characterized VMAT2 antibody will be a useful tool in studying neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by vesicular dysfunction.
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States. Electronic address: rclibur@emory.edu.
Rachel A
RA
Cliburn
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
Amy R
AR
Dunn
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
Kristen A
KA
Stout
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
Carlie A
CA
Hoffman
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
Kelly M
KM
Lohr
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
Alison I
AI
Bernstein
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
Emily J
EJ
Winokur
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
James
J
Burkett
Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY 10032, United States.
Yvonne
Y
Schmitz
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
William M
WM
Caudle
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Pharmacology, Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States. Electronic address: gary.miller@emory.edu.
Gary W
GW
Miller
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D011817:Rabbits; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000906:Antibodies; C493453:Slc18a2 protein, mouse; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins
Antibody; Brain; Immunochemistry; Localization; Monoamine; VMAT2; Vesicle; Vesicular monoamine transporter 2