The SLC17A8 antibody targets the solute carrier family 17 member 8 (SLC17A8) protein, a vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT3) critical for neurotransmitter packaging and synaptic signaling. SLC17A8/VGLUT3 facilitates the transport of glutamate into synaptic vesicles in neurons, enabling glutamate release at synapses. Unlike other VGLUT isoforms (VGLUT1/2), SLC17A8 is expressed in specialized neural circuits, including auditory pathways, retinal amacrine cells, and subsets of glutamatergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic neurons. Its unique distribution suggests roles in sensory processing, particularly hearing, as SLC17A8 mutations are linked to autosomal dominant deafness.
Antibodies against SLC17A8 are widely used in neuroscience and auditory research to map protein expression, study synaptic mechanisms, and investigate pathologies like hearing loss. They enable techniques such as immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and flow cytometry to visualize SLC17A8 localization in tissues or quantify its expression. Validation often includes knockout controls to confirm specificity. Research using these antibodies has clarified SLC17A8's involvement in maintaining glutamate homeostasis and its dysfunction in neurodegenerative or sensory disorders. Commercial antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice, targeting epitopes within the protein’s C-terminal or central regions. Proper validation remains essential due to potential cross-reactivity with other VGLUT isoforms.