Immunodetection of serotonin transporter from mouse brain.

A DNA fragment encoding amino acid sequences from the amino terminal region of the mouse serotonin transporter was isolated and sequenced. This transporter is widely distributed throughout the mouse brain, as deduced by heminested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. To identify the serotonin transporter protein, we have developed specific antibodies against a fusion protein containing its amino terminal region, a domain which shows a low degree of homology between the different neurotransmitter transporters. Western blot analysis of mouse brain membranes detected the serotonin transporter as a 71 kDa polypeptide.