Structure of neuronal nicotinic receptors

Abstract

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a critical component of the brain’s cholinergic neurotransmission system that modulates important physiological processes and whose dysfunction has been observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and mental illness. nAChRs are a heterogeneous family of receptor subtypes consisting of pentameric combinations of a and P subunits, and are widely expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. nAChR subtypes share a common basic structure but their biophysical and pharmacological properties depend on their subunit composition, which is therefore central to understanding receptor function in the nervous system and discovering new subtype-selective drugs. We briefly review some recent findings concerning the structure and function of nAChRs, particularly the native subtypes.