Rabbit anti Rat MUNC-18 (pSer515) antibody recognizes MUNC-18, also known as syntaxin-binding protein 1, N-Sec1, protein unc-18 homolog 1 (Unc18-1) and p67, when phosphorylated at serine 515. MUNC-18 is a ~67 kDa member of the STXBP/UNC-18/SEC1 family. It is neural specific, expressed in the brain, spinal cord and at very high levels in axons. Munc-18 is crucial to calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release, facilitating synaptic vesicle docking and fusion. It inhibits the formation of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex by binding syntaxin 1 preventing the other components (synaptobrevin and synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25)) from binding. The function of Munc-18 is regulated by the phosphorylation of serine 515 by protein kinase C.Munc-18 is also involved in the onset of female puberty through its regulation of glutamate release (
Kim et al. 2006).