Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Local Application of Drugs to Study Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices
Published on: October 29, 2012
Nicotine withdrawal up-regulates c-Fos transcription in pheochromocytoma cells
N Ichino1, H Ishiguro, K Yamada
1Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.
Abstract:
The influence of nicotine on the expression of Fos family proteins, which specifically formed complexes with the AP-1 sequence, was assessed. mRNA for c-Fos, c-jun and jun-B were up-regulated at 0.5 h after nicotine treatment, elevated c-Fos also being apparent after withdrawal. Although nicotine failed to up-regulate the mRNA level of the fra-1 gene, the Fra- protein was highly expressed after both treatment and withdrawal. These results indicate that nicotine treatment may affect the transcriptional activity of many genes through c-Fos and c-Jun protein expression in neural cells, and that Fra-1 protein may make a contribution. These changes in immediately early genes (IEGs) may be associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...
Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...
Adrenergic Receptors: β Subtype
Isoprenaline > Adrenaline > Noradrenaline
Neurotransmitter binding to these receptors causes activation of adenylyl cyclase resulting in increased concentrations of cAMP and modulation of calcium ion channels within the cell. They are further classified into β1, β2, and β3 subtypes.
β1-adrenoceptors: β1-adrenoceptors have equal affinities for...

