Insights Into Nicotinic Receptor Signaling in Nicotine Addiction: Implications for Prevention and Treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) belong to the Cys-loop ligandgated ion-channel (LGIC) superfamily, which also includes the GABA, glycine, and serotonin receptors. Many nAChR subunits have been identified and shown to be involved in signal transduction on binding to them of either the neurotransmitter acetylcholine or exogenous ligands such as nicotine. The nAChRs are pentameric assemblies of homologous subunits surrounding a central pore that gates cation flux, and they are expressed at neuromuscular junctions throughout the nervous system.

Methods and results

Because different nAChR subunits assemble into a variety of pharmacologically distinct receptor subtypes, and different nAChRs are implicated in various physiological functions and pathophysiologi

SUBMITTER: Liu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6018190 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature