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Insights into channel function via channel dysfunction

Leite, John F. and Rodrigues-Pinguet, Nivalda and Lester, Henry A. (2003) Insights into channel function via channel dysfunction. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 111 (4). pp. 436-437. ISSN 0021-9738. PMCID PMC151932. doi:10.1172/JCI200317882. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20111011-100601324

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Abstract

The nicotinic synapse has been a touchstone for advances in neuroscience ever since Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal, sent some tobacco seeds home to Paris in 1550 with a note that the New World plant had interesting effects when smoked. Now the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a well-studied example of ligand-gated ion channels. After a motor neuron is stimulated, the nerve impulse reaches the presynaptic terminal, where it evokes release of acetylcholine (ACh) into the synapse. The nAChR depolarizes the postsynaptic muscle and triggers muscle action potentials; muscle contraction follows. To date, several nAChR subtypes have been successfully isolated, purified, imaged, and expressed, and unitary currents have been recorded from these channels (1). Researchers continue to unravel the molecular mechanisms of these macromolecules that are embedded in membranes at vertebrate nerve-muscle synapses, at invertebrate nicotinic synapses (which explains why nicotine-producing tobacco plants have a select advantage against invertebrate pests), and in the vertebrate central system (which explains Jean Nicot’s fascination with those leaves). However, the precise structural events that trigger channel opening or "gating" remain mostly unknown.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/JCI200317882DOIArticle
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC151932/PubMed CentralArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Lester, Henry A.0000-0002-5470-5255
Additional Information:© 2003 American Society for Clinical Investigation. Published February 15, 2003.
Issue or Number:4
PubMed Central ID:PMC151932
DOI:10.1172/JCI200317882
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20111011-100601324
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20111011-100601324
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:27156
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:11 Oct 2011 21:56
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 16:46

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