Pain Research

Opioid Receptors are found throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems; and are often important targets in pain and addiction research. 

The study of Neurotransmitters underpins most Neuroscience Research.  They regulate our moods and perceptions. Dysfunctional Neurotransmission plays a root role in many Neurological Diseases.

Extracellular ATP interacts with specific ionotropic (P2X) or metabotropic (P2Y) membrane receptors having different molecular characteristics. Discrete cell-specific expression of various subtypes of ATP receptors allows specificity and selectivity of purinergic responses in many body organs. At single cell level, the ATP effects are susceptible to modulation by crosstalk with other receptors and by intracellular molecular pathways, allowing refinement and plasticity of cell responses. ATP and related nucleotides are now recognized key players in many tissue and cell responses during physiological states or disease conditions, like in chronic pain, inflammation, neurologic disorders and cancer. By Elsa Fabbretti, University of Nova Gorica and user of these antibodies. 

The acid-sensing ion channel family (ASIC) comprises six discrete ASIC subunits (ASIC 1A, ASIC 1B, ASIC 2A, ASIC 2B, ASIC 3, ASIC 4) that detect tissue acidosis (i.e. a decrease in pH). This acidosis phenomenon is a response to tissue injury, pain and inflammation.

The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are G-protein coupled receptors that bind with glutamate to activate neurotransmission. The are expressed in neurons, glia and astrocytes.

They are involved in learning, memory, anxiety, and the perception of pain. mGluRs are found in synapses of the hippocampus, cerebellum, and the cerebral cortex, as well as other parts of the brain and in peripheral tissues.

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc metalloendopeptidases secreted by cells, and are responsible for much of the turnover of matrix components. They are produced as zymogens, with a signal sequence and propeptide segment that must be removed during activation. In general, This signal sequence and propeptide plus a catalytic domain (containing the highly conserved zinc binding site) characterizes the structure of the MMPs.

MMPs are considered to play an important role in wound healing, apoptosis, bone elongation, embryo development, uterine involution, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, and in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, malignant gliomas, lupus, arthritis, periodontis, glumerulonephritis, atherosclerosis, tissue ulceration, and in cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

Neuropeptides are neuronal signaling molecules, influence the activity of the brain in specific ways and are thus involved in particular brain functions, like analgesia, reward, food intake, learning and memory.

Neurotensin is a 13-amino acid neuropeptide involved in neurotransmission in the CNS and PNS. The neurotensin receptors (NTS or NTSRs) are transmembrane receptors that bind neurotensin. NTSR1 and NTSR2 contain seven transmembrane helices and are G protein coupled whereas NTSR3 has a single transmembrane domain.

By selective targeting or blockade of specific neurotensin receptors, investigators have identified potential drugs for use in the treatment of schizophrenia, alcoholism, chronic pain, or cancer.

More antibodies for the pain research.