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Functional contributions of α5 subunit to neuronal acetylcholine receptor channels

LIGAND-GATED ion channels are multi-subunit complexes where each subunit-type is encoded by several related genes. Hetero-logous expression of any one of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) α-type subunits, either alone or with any β-type subunit, typically yields functional nAChR...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1996-03, Vol.380 (6572), p.347-351
Main Authors: Ramirez-Latorre, J, Yu, C. R, Qu, X, Perin, F, Karlin, A, Role, L
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:LIGAND-GATED ion channels are multi-subunit complexes where each subunit-type is encoded by several related genes. Hetero-logous expression of any one of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) α-type subunits, either alone or with any β-type subunit, typically yields functional nAChR channels1–5. A striking exception is the nAChR α5 subunit: although apparently complexed with β2 and α4 nAChR subunits in neurons 6–8 , and expressed in a subset of neurons within the central and peripheral nervous systems 9,10 , heterologous expression of α5, either alone or with any P-type subunit has failed to yield functional channels 1,11 . We demonstrate here that α5 does participate in nAChRs expressed in heterologous systems and in primary neurons, and further that α5 contributes to the lining of functionally unique nAChR channels, but only if coexpressed with both another α- and β-type subunit. Furthermore, channels containing the α5 subunit are potently activated and desensitized by nanomolar concentrations of nicotine.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/380347a0