Synaptic Markers Antibody Sampler Pack

Synaptic Markers Antibody Sampler Pack

The Synaptic Markers Antibody Sampler Pack from Assay Genie brings together 8 rigorously validated antibodies spanning the key nodes of this pathway, supplied in a convenient 20µL trial size. It lets researchers screen an entire signalling axis in a single, cost-effective pack — validated for applications including ELISA, IF/ICC, IHC-P, IP, WB — before committing to full-size vials. Each antibody is also available individually in a full 100µL size.

The synapse is the fundamental unit of neuronal communication, and its molecular architecture is organized into distinct presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments whose components can be detected as markers of synapse number, identity, and integrity. On the presynaptic side, neurotransmitter release depends on a coordinated machinery of vesicle proteins. Synaptophysin is an abundant integral membrane glycoprotein of synaptic vesicles widely used as a general marker of presynaptic terminals and synaptic density. Synapsin-1 tethers vesicles to the actin cytoskeleton and regulates their mobilization into the readily releasable pool, while Synaptotagmin functions as the calcium sensor that triggers fast, synchronous vesicle fusion. The fusion event itself is mediated by SNARE proteins, including SNAP25, which assembles with syntaxin and VAMP to drive membrane merger during exocytosis. Excitatory glutamatergic terminals are specifically identified by VGLUT1, the vesicular glutamate transporter that loads glutamate into synaptic vesicles. Across the cleft, the postsynaptic density organizes receptor clustering and downstream signaling. PSD-95 is the principal scaffolding protein of excitatory postsynaptic densities, anchoring glutamate receptors and linking them to signaling complexes, and Homer1 further scaffolds metabotropic glutamate receptors and couples them to intracellular calcium stores. Inhibitory synapses are defined by a distinct scaffold, Gephyrin, which clusters glycine and GABA-A receptors at the postsynaptic membrane. Together these proteins allow the discrimination of excitatory versus inhibitory contacts and the quantification of synaptic loss, a feature common to neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and psychiatric disorders where synapse dysfunction often precedes neuronal death. This pack brings together validated antibodies against Synaptophysin, PSD-95, Synapsin-1, SNAP25, Synaptotagmin, VGLUT1, Gephyrin, and Homer1 to support comprehensive analysis of synaptic structure and function.