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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Immunological Probes for the Bradykinin B2 Receptor. A Toolbox

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Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the immunological tools for bradykinin (BK) B 2 receptor. Receptors for kinins are classified as two major subtypes, B 1 and B 2 , although other subtypes may exist. B 1 receptors are activated by carboxyterminally truncated kinins, whereas BK and kallidin (Lys-BK) are B 2 receptor agonists. Molecular cloning has revealed the primary structures of B 1 and B 2 receptors and identified them as members of the G protein-coupled receptor family, characterized by seven membrane-spanning α-helices. In some tissues, B 1 receptor expression is induced by cytokines, such as interleukin-1, whereas the B 2 receptor is thought to be expressed constitutively and is ubiquitous. The signaling pathways of B 2 receptors are explored in the chapter. An immunological “toolbox” for the B 2 receptor contains four sets of gadgets: antiidiotypic antibodies that are cross-reactive with the receptor, antiligand antibodies for the cross-linked receptor-ligand complex, antipeptide antibodies to the predicted loops that cross-react with the receptor, and antibodies to the purified receptor. The chapter reviews the procedures that led to these specific immunological probes and their applications for the localization and functional analysis of the B 2 receptor.