Immunochemical localization of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in mouse brain

Publication date: Available online 9 November 2016 Source:Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy Author(s): Rachel A. Cliburn, Amy R. Dunn, Kristen A. Stout, Carlie A. Hoffman, Kelly M. Lohr, Alison I. Bernstein, Emily J. Winokur, James Burkett, Yvonne Shmitz, William M. Caudle, Gary W. Miller 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 neuro...
Source: Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research