Description_x000D_ General description_x000D_ The amino acids L-glutamate (Glu) and L-aspartate (Asp) are considered the major excitatory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS) and represent the most abundant mammalian neurotransmitter class. Both L-glutamate and L-aspartate are present in the brain at high concentrations and are distributed in most excitatory pathways in the CNS. Glu- and Asp-immunoreactivities are localized in high concentrations in synaptic terminals. In nerve terminals, L-glutamate is formed by deamidation of its major precursor, L-glutamine, by the enzyme glutaminase._x000D_ The actions of the excitatory amino acids on neurons are mediated by different receptor subtypes. These receptors are coupled to integral ion channels or to a second messenger system which utilizes inositol triphosphate (IP3). L-glutamate and L-aspartate may play an important role in the pathogenesis of certain neurological disorders such as Huntington′s disease, Alzheimer′s disease, epilepsy and brain ischemia. The excitoxic and neurotoxic effects of L-glutamate, leading to extensive neuronal damage, appear to be mediated by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtype._x000D_ Specificity_x000D_ The antiserum is evaluated for activity and specificity by dot-blot immunoassay. The antiserum recognizes L-glutamic acid immobilized on an affinity membrane. No cross-reaction is observed with L-aspartic acid, L-glutamine, L-asparagine, and L-alanine. Weak cross-reactivity is observed with Gly-Asp, GABA, β-alanine, glycine and 5-aminovaleric acid (amino acid concentration 5-10 mM). Weak to moderate reaction is observed with L-glutamic acid-containing dipeptides Asp-Glu and Gly-Glu. The antibody may be used to localize glutamate in cell bodies, axons, and terminals of glutamatergic neurons in the CNS._x000D_ Immunogen_x000D_ L-glutamic acid (Glu)._x000D_ Application_x000D_ Applications in which this antibody has been used successfully, and the associated peer-reviewed papers, are given below._x000D_ Immunohistochemistry (1 paper)_x000D_ Rabbit polyclonal antiserum to L-glutamate may be used in immunohistochemical techniques on formalin- or glutaraldehyde-fixed, vibratome or frozen sections of human or animal tissues. Immunohistochemical methods provide increased anatomical resolution over conventional biochemical methods._x000D_ Disclaimer_x000D_ Unless otherwise stated in our catalog or other company documentation accompanying the product(s), our products are intended for research use only and are not to be used for any other purpose, which includes but is not limited to, unauthorized commercial uses, in vitro diagnostic uses, ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic uses or any type of consumption or application to humans or animals.