Calretinin, encoded by the CALB2 gene, represents a calcium-binding protein predominantly expressed in neuronal populations throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. This selective neuronal expression pattern makes calretinin an invaluable biomarker for neurological research, enabling identification and characterization of specific neuron subpopulations. Anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody provides researchers with high-specificity tools for detecting calretinin-expressing neurons, facilitating investigations into neurodevelopment, neurodegeneration, and neuronal function.
Calretinin’s expression in inhibitory GABAergic interneurons, sensory neurons, and distinct projection neuron populations enables circuit-level neurological investigations impossible without reliable detection methodologies. High-quality anti-rat calretinin antibodies represent essential reagents for contemporary neuroscience research.
Neurobiological Functions and Expression Patterns
- Calcium Homeostasis and Neuroprotection
Calretinin functions as a calcium-buffering protein regulating intracellular calcium concentrations, protecting neurons from excitotoxic injury and calcium-mediated apoptosis. Expression in specific neuron populations suggests selective calcium-buffering requirements supporting unique physiological functions. Understanding calretinin distribution through anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody staining reveals neuronal populations requiring enhanced calcium protection.
- GABAergic Interneuron Identification
Calretinin expression marks distinct GABAergic interneuron subpopulations, particularly basket cells and chandelier cells comprising inhibitory circuits. Identifying calretinin-positive interneurons through antibody staining enables circuit mapping, revealing inhibitory connectivity patterns and functional roles in neural circuit dynamics. Anti-rat calretinin antibodies support the identification of these functionally distinct neuron populations.
- Sensory Neuron Characterization
Peripheral sensory neurons exhibit selective calretinin expression, particularly low-threshold mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. Calretinin expression patterns define sensory neuron subpopulations with distinct receptive properties and functional roles. Anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody enables sensory neuron classification supporting pain research and somatosensory system investigations.
Research Applications of Anti-Rat Calretinin Antibodies
- Immunohistochemistry and Circuit Mapping
Immunohistochemical staining with anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody reveals calretinin-positive neuron distributions throughout brain regions and spinal cord. Detailed circuit mapping identifies calretinin-expressing populations, determines projection patterns, and characterizes morphological features. High antibody specificity ensures accurate neuron identification without non-specific background staining.
- Immunofluorescence and Multiplex Analysis
Multiplexed immunofluorescence combining anti-rat calretinin antibodies with markers for other neuronal populations enables simultaneous detection of multiple cell types within complex tissue samples. Multi-color imaging reveals co-expression patterns, organizational principles, and functional relationships between neuronal populations.
- Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting
Fluorescence-conjugated anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody enables flow cytometric identification and sorting of calretinin-expressing neurons from tissue dissociates. Sorted populations support downstream analyses—transcriptomics, proteomics, electrophysiology—examining calretinin-positive neuron characteristics. Cell sorting enables functional studies of purified neuron populations.
- Western Blotting and Protein Quantification
Anti-rat calretinin antibodies detect full-length calretinin protein in Western blot analyses, enabling quantification of expression changes across developmental stages, disease conditions, or experimental manipulations. Protein quantification supports the investigation of calretinin regulation and the functional implications of expression changes.
- Pathological Investigation and Neurodegenerative Disease Research
Calretinin expression changes characterize various neurological conditions—Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, epilepsy—where selective neuron loss or dysfunction occurs. Anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody enables detailed pathological characterization, identifying calretinin-expressing neuron vulnerability and surviving populations in disease contexts.
Antibody Characteristics and Quality Specifications
- Specificity and Cross-Reactivity
High-quality anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody demonstrates selective recognition of calretinin without cross-reacting with other calcium-binding proteins (parvalbumin, calbindin). Antibody specificity validation through Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and knockout tissue ensures reliable target identification.
- Affinity and Binding Kinetics
Polyclonal antibodies offer multiple epitope recognition, enhancing binding avidity and detection sensitivity. Anti-rat calretinin antibodies demonstrate robust binding affinity ensuring reliable target quantification across diverse applications.
- Antibody Titer and Concentration
High-titer anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody preparations enable sensitive detection at moderate dilutions, reducing assay costs while maintaining analytical performance. Precise concentration standardization ensures reproducibility across experiments.
Optimizing Antibody Use in Research
Protocol Standardization and Validation
Successful anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody application requires method-specific optimization—antibody dilutions, incubation conditions, detection sensitivities. Establishing validated protocols ensures reproducible results, facilitates troubleshooting, and supports rigorous research outcomes.
Controls and Specificity Verification
Appropriate negative controls—knockout tissue, pre-absorption controls, secondary antibody-only samples—verify antibody specificity and eliminate false-positive results. Rigorous control implementation strengthens experimental conclusions.
Conclusion
Anti-Rat Calretinin Polyclonal Antibody represents essential research reagents enabling detailed characterization of calretinin-expressing neuronal populations across development, physiology, and pathology. High-quality antibodies supporting immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and biochemical analyses facilitate comprehensive neurological investigations. By utilizing well-characterized anti-rat calretinin antibodies with appropriate experimental validation, researchers advance understanding of neuronal circuit organization, function, and dysfunction, supporting neuroscience progress.
