Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed in muscle cells and neurons, as well as in an increasing number of other cell types. The nAChR channels are permeable to cations, including Ca2+. Ca2+ entry through nAChR channels has been shown to modulate several Ca2+-dependent cellular processes, such as neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and cell motility. The value of Ca2+ permeability associated to a particular nAChR subtype thus represents an important indication for its physiological role. This review summarizes the quantitative data on Ca2+ permeability obtained from several nAChR subtypes in native and heterologous systems. Different experimental approaches are compared, and the structural determinants of Ca2+ permeability are discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ca2+ permeability of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors / Fucile, Sergio. - In: CELL CALCIUM. - ISSN 0143-4160. - STAMPA. - 35:1(2004), pp. 1-8. [10.1016/j.ceca.2003.08.006]
Ca2+ permeability of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
FUCILE, Sergio
2004
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed in muscle cells and neurons, as well as in an increasing number of other cell types. The nAChR channels are permeable to cations, including Ca2+. Ca2+ entry through nAChR channels has been shown to modulate several Ca2+-dependent cellular processes, such as neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and cell motility. The value of Ca2+ permeability associated to a particular nAChR subtype thus represents an important indication for its physiological role. This review summarizes the quantitative data on Ca2+ permeability obtained from several nAChR subtypes in native and heterologous systems. Different experimental approaches are compared, and the structural determinants of Ca2+ permeability are discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
