SLC6A1. also known as the sodium- and chloride-dependent GABA transporter 1 (GAT1), is a protein encoded by the SLC6A1 gene. It belongs to the solute carrier family 6 (SLC6) of neurotransmitter transporters and plays a critical role in regulating synaptic levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. By mediating GABA reuptake from the synaptic cleft into presynaptic neurons and glial cells, SLC6A1 ensures precise control of GABAergic signaling, which is essential for maintaining neuronal excitability and preventing neurological hyperexcitability disorders.
Antibodies targeting SLC6A1 are widely used in neuroscience research to study the expression, localization, and function of this transporter. These antibodies enable techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to visualize SLC6A1 distribution in brain tissues, cellular models, or experimental organisms. Specificity and validation of SLC6A1 antibodies are crucial, as cross-reactivity with related transporters (e.g., GAT2. GAT3) may occur.
Mutations in SLC6A1 are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability. Research using SLC6A1 antibodies has advanced understanding of disease mechanisms, such as altered GABA homeostasis in SLC6A1-related encephalopathies. Additionally, these antibodies aid in evaluating therapeutic strategies targeting GABA transport, such as inhibitor drugs or gene therapies. Reliable SLC6A1 antibodies are thus vital tools for both basic research and translational studies in neuropharmacology and neuropathology.