25.11.2020 - A deep-dive into Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
AChR - Acetylcholine Receptors
Summary:
The family has been devided into nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (ionotropic channels) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (metabotropic G-protein coupled receptors). Both subgroups are sensitive to acetylcholine. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a member of the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily which includes GABAA, 5HT3, NMDA and glycine receptors.
Topology:
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: As typical cys-loop receptors, acetylcholine receptor subunits contain four transmembrane spanning domains TM1-TM4. Five subunits form a pore, homomeric and heteromeric combinations are possible.17 vertebrate subunits have been identified: α genes: CHRNA1 - CHRNA10; β genes: CHRNB1 . CHRNB4, as well as CHRND (delta), CHRNE (epsilon), CHRNG (gamma)