CHRNA7抗体

The CHRNA7 antibody targets the α7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), a ligand-gated ion channel critical for cholinergic signaling in the nervous and immune systems. The CHRNA7 gene encodes this subunit, which forms homopentameric receptors permeable to calcium and involved in modulating neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and anti-inflammatory responses. Dysregulation of α7 nAChR is implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease), epilepsy, and chronic inflammation. CHRNA7 antibodies are essential tools for studying receptor expression, localization, and function in tissues or cell models. They are widely used in techniques like Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry to explore receptor alterations in disease models or genetic variants. Additionally, therapeutic antibodies targeting α7 nAChR are under investigation for their potential to modulate neuroinflammation or cognitive deficits. However, challenges persist due to the receptor’s low abundance, structural complexity, and homology with the partially duplicated CHRFAM7A gene in humans, which may complicate antibody specificity. Research continues to refine antibody validation methods and explore clinical applications, including biomarker development and targeted therapies for neurological and immune-mediated conditions.