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Structure of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors

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The Neurobiology and Genetics of Nicotine and Tobacco

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 23))

Abstract

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a critical component of the brain’s cholinergic neurotransmission system that modulates important physiological processes and whose dysfunction has been observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and mental illness. nAChRs are a heterogeneous family of receptor subtypes consisting of pentameric combinations of α and β subunits, and are widely expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. nAChR subtypes share a common basic structure but their biophysical and pharmacological properties depend on their subunit composition , which is therefore central to understanding receptor function in the nervous system and discovering new subtype-selective drugs. We briefly review some recent findings concerning the structure and function of nAChRs, particularly the native subtypes.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The native subtypes are identified by their known subunits; if these are followed by an asterisk, it means that other unidentified subunits may also be present.

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Acknowledgments

Francesca Fasoli is a Ph.D. student supported by the Fondazione Vollaro.

Funding was received from the CNR Research Project on Aging, Regione Lombardia Projects NUTEC ID 30263049 and MbMM-convenzione n°18099/RCC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129, Milan, Italy

    Francesca Fasoli & Cecilia Gotti

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  1. Francesca Fasoli
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  2. Cecilia Gotti
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Correspondence to Cecilia Gotti .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom

    David J.K. Balfour

  2. School of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom

    Marcus R. Munafò

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Fasoli, F., Gotti, C. (2015). Structure of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors. In: Balfour, D., Munafò, M. (eds) The Neurobiology and Genetics of Nicotine and Tobacco. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 23. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13665-3_1

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