Nicotinic receptors in non-human primates: Analysis of genetic and functional conservation with humans.

ABSTRACT: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are highly conserved between humans and non-human primates. Conservation exists at the level of genomic structure, protein structure and epigenetics. Overall homology of nAChRs at the protein level is 98% in macaques versus 89% in mice, which is highly relevant for evaluating subtype-specific ligands that have different affinities in humans versus rodents. In addition to conservation at the protein level, there is high conservation of genomic structure in terms of intron and exon size and placement of CpG sites that play a key role in epigenetic regulation. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) shows that while the majority of SNPs are not conserved between humans and macaques, some functional polymorphisms are. Most significantly, cy

SUBMITTER: Shorey-Kendrick LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4486519 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature