Assembly and trafficking of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (Review)

Mol Membr Biol. 2008 May;25(4):279-92. doi: 10.1080/09687680802035675.

Abstract

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are members of an extensive super-family of neurotransmitter-gated ion channels. In humans, nAChRs are expressed within the nervous system and at the neuromuscular junction and are important targets for pharmaceutical drug discovery. They are also the site of action for neuroactive pesticides in insects and other invertebrates. Nicotinic receptors are complex pentameric transmembrane proteins which are assembled from a large family of subunits; seventeen nAChR subunits (alpha1-alpha10, beta1-beta4, gamma, delta and epsilon) have been identified in vertebrate species. This review will discuss nAChR subunit diversity and factors influencing receptor assembly and trafficking.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Protein Transport
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / genetics
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Protein Subunits
  • Receptors, Nicotinic