Reduced α4 subunit expression in α4^+- and α4^+- /β2^+- nicotinic acetylcholine receptors alters α4β2 subtype up-regulation following chronic nicotine treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Genomic analysis has shown many variants in both CHRNA4 and CHRNB2, genes which encode the α4 and β2 subunits of nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChR) respectively. Some variants influence receptor expression, raising the possibility that CHRNA4 variants may affect response to tobacco use in humans. Chronic exposure to nicotine increases expression of nAChRs, particularly α4β2-nAChRs, in humans and laboratory animals. Here, we have evaluated whether the initial level of receptor expression affects the increase in expression.

Experimental approach

Mice differing in expression of α4 and/or β2 nAChR subunits were chronically treated with saline, 0.25, 1.0 or 4.0 mg·kg^-1 ·h^-1 nicotine. Brain preparations were analysed autoradiographically b

SUBMITTER: Moretti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5980142 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature