The GRIN3B antibody is a crucial tool for studying the GluN3B subunit, a component of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are ionotropic glutamate receptors vital for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. GRIN3B (glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 3B), encoded by the GRIN3B gene, forms heteromeric complexes primarily with GRIN1 and other subunits, creating receptors with distinct biophysical and pharmacological properties. Unlike conventional NMDA receptors, those incorporating GluN3B exhibit reduced magnesium sensitivity and calcium permeability, influencing neuronal development and circuit refinement.
GRIN3B antibodies are used to detect and quantify GluN3B expression in tissues, often via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence. These antibodies help investigate the subunit’s distribution in the central nervous system, particularly in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, and its role in neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegeneration, and psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. Research highlights GRIN3B’s involvement in synaptic pruning and its potential dysregulation in Alzheimer’s disease.
Validated GRIN3B antibodies are essential for specificity, as cross-reactivity with other NMDA subunits (e.g., GRIN3A) must be excluded. Epitope regions, such as the extracellular N-terminal domain or intracellular C-terminal tail, are common targets. Studies leveraging these antibodies contribute to understanding GluN3B’s modulatory effects on receptor kinetics and its therapeutic relevance in neurological diseases. Proper antibody validation using knockout controls or recombinant proteins ensures reliability in experimental models, from cell lines to human postmortem brain tissues.