Molecular Events in the Synthesis and Assembly of a Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Abstract

The acetylcholine receptor (AChR) has proven the most accessible model system for structure-function studies of a transmitter-activated ion channel (Karlin 1980; Conti-Tronconi and Raftery 1982). However, it also presents a good opportunity to study molecular events in the assembly of a multi-subunit integral membrane protein. Moreover, the synthesis of AChR is regulated during development, both by trophic factors (Jessel et al, 1979) and by activity (Brockes and Hall 1975). To understand the mechanistic bases of these regulatory influences, it would be helpful to know all the molecular events and intermediates in AChR biogenesis. We can presume that these events encompass gene transcription, mRNA processing and transport out of the nucleus, translation, subunit assembly, and intracellular transport of the subunits. The following discussion will concern what we have learned about the stages including and following mRNA translation.

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