The ADRA1A antibody targets the alpha-1A adrenergic receptor (ADRA1A), a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family that mediates physiological responses to catecholamines like norepinephrine and epinephrine. ADRA1A is primarily involved in smooth muscle contraction, neurotransmission, and regulation of blood pressure. It is expressed in various tissues, including the heart, blood vessels, prostate, and central nervous system. Research on ADRA1A has been pivotal in understanding cardiovascular diseases, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and neurological disorders, as its activation influences vascular tone, urinary retention, and cognitive functions.
ADRA1A antibodies are essential tools for detecting and quantifying receptor expression in experimental models. They are widely used in techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to study receptor localization, regulation, and signaling pathways. Specificity and validation of these antibodies are critical, as cross-reactivity with other adrenergic receptor subtypes (e.g., ADRA1B or ADRA1D) can lead to misleading results. Many commercially available ADRA1A antibodies are raised against synthetic peptides corresponding to specific extracellular or intracellular domains, with host species (e.g., rabbit, mouse) and clonal diversity (monoclonal vs. polyclonal) offering flexibility for experimental design. Recent advances in structural biology, including cryo-EM studies of ADRA1A, have further refined antibody development by identifying conformational epitopes, enhancing specificity for functional studies. These antibodies continue to support drug discovery efforts targeting ADRA1A for conditions like hypertension and overactive bladder.