Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic01:25

Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic

The pharmacological actions of acetylcholine are elicited via its binding to two families of cholinergic receptors or cholinoceptors, namely, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Muscarinic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors and have five subtypes, M1–M5. All mAChR subtypes are activated by acetylcholine and blocked by the antagonist, atropine. 
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+. Activation...
Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane01:27

Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane

The ER synthesizes lipids for building cell membranes and performing cellular functions such as energy storage and signaling. The lipid synthesis machinery embedded in the ER membrane primarily collects all reactants from the cytosol. Following synthesis, the secretory pathway and the ER contact sites distribute these lipids to other cellular organelles. Additionally, the energy-rich triacylglycerides are transported from the ER via lipid droplets.
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:23

Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Cholinergic neurotransmission involves the synthesis and the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in order to transmit nerve impulses across the synapse. The process begins with the synthesis of acetyl CoA, a precursor for ACh, from ATP, acetate, and coenzyme A in the mitochondria. Choline, another vital precursor, is transported inside the neuron through choline transporters, including high-affinity choline transporter CHT1, low-affinity choline transporter CTL1, and lower-affinity choline...
Cholinesterases: Distribution and Function01:22

Cholinesterases: Distribution and Function

Cholinesterases are a group of serine hydrolase enzymes that play a crucial role in the breakdown of choline esters. The two primary types of cholinesterases are acetylcholinesterases (AChEs) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChEs), which differ in their distribution, function, and substrate specificity. AChEs, also known as true cholinesterases, specifically hydrolyze acetylcholine, while BuChEs, often referred to as pseudocholinesterases, can hydrolyze various choline esters, including...
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:22

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Cholinergic agonists or cholinomimetics mimic the action of acetylcholine to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They are categorized into direct-acting and indirect-acting agents. The direct-acting cholinergic drugs induce the parasympathetic response by directly binding to the muscarinic or nicotine receptors. In comparison, the indirect-acting cholinergic drugs prevent acetylcholine hydrolysis, indirectly contributing to the extended parasympathetic response.
The direct-acting...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions01:30

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions

Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists, also known as anticholinesterases, exert their pharmacological effects by enhancing cholinergic transmission in various body parts, including the neuromuscular junction, autonomic cholinergic synapses, and the brain.
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Environmental Enrichment in Murine Models and Its Translation to Human Factors Improving Conditions in Alzheimer Disease.

The journal of prevention of Alzheimer's disease·2023
Same author

Corticosterone affects the differentiation of a neuronal cerebral cortex-derived cell line through modulation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Neuroscience·2014
Same author

High levels of phosphorylation in minor phospholipids of Discopyge tschudii electrocyte membranes.

Neurochemistry international·2010
Same author

Interactions of fluorescent cholinergic antagonists with the membrane-bound acetylcholine receptor.

Neurochemistry international·2010
Same author

Effects of periodate oxidation and glycosidases on structural and functional properties of the acetylcholine receptor and the non-receptor, peripheral ?-polypeptide (M(r) 43,000).

Neurochemistry international·2010
Same author

Boundary lipids in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor microenvironment.

Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN·2009

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Cholinergic Ligand–dependent Modulation of Oxidative Phosphorylation Coupling in Digitonin-permeabilized BE(2)-C Neuroblastoma Cells
14:39

Cholinergic Ligand–dependent Modulation of Oxidative Phosphorylation Coupling in Digitonin-permeabilized BE(2)-C Neuroblastoma Cells

Published on: April 28, 2026

Ceramides modulate cell-surface acetylcholine receptor levels.

C E Gallegos1, M F Pediconi, F J Barrantes

  • 1UNESCO Chair of Biophysics and Molecular Neurobiology and Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|November 21, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Ceramides (Cer) influence nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) cell surface levels. Low ceramide concentrations increase surface AChRs, while high concentrations decrease them, affecting receptor stability.

More Related Videos

Quantitative Analysis of Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane (MAM) Stabilization in a Neural Model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
06:41

Quantitative Analysis of Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane (MAM) Stabilization in a Neural Model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

Published on: January 10, 2025

Lipid Vesicle-mediated Affinity Chromatography using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (LIMACS): a Novel Method to Analyze Protein-lipid Interaction
07:33

Lipid Vesicle-mediated Affinity Chromatography using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (LIMACS): a Novel Method to Analyze Protein-lipid Interaction

Published on: April 26, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Cholinergic Ligand–dependent Modulation of Oxidative Phosphorylation Coupling in Digitonin-permeabilized BE(2)-C Neuroblastoma Cells
14:39

Cholinergic Ligand–dependent Modulation of Oxidative Phosphorylation Coupling in Digitonin-permeabilized BE(2)-C Neuroblastoma Cells

Published on: April 28, 2026

Quantitative Analysis of Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane (MAM) Stabilization in a Neural Model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
06:41

Quantitative Analysis of Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane (MAM) Stabilization in a Neural Model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

Published on: January 10, 2025

Lipid Vesicle-mediated Affinity Chromatography using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (LIMACS): a Novel Method to Analyze Protein-lipid Interaction
07:33

Lipid Vesicle-mediated Affinity Chromatography using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (LIMACS): a Novel Method to Analyze Protein-lipid Interaction

Published on: April 26, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are crucial for neurotransmission.
  • Ceramides (Cer) are bioactive lipids involved in various cellular processes.
  • Understanding receptor trafficking is key to neurological function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of ceramides (Cer) on the trafficking and cell surface stability of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs).
  • To determine if ceramide-mediated effects on AChR are specific or a general mechanism for membrane proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized CHO-K1/A5 cells expressing murine AChRs.
  • Incubated cells with varying concentrations of short-chain (C6-Cer) and long-chain (brain-Cer) ceramides.
  • Assessed cell-surface and intracellular AChR levels using [125I]-alpha-bungarotoxin binding.
  • Examined the effect on Vesicular Stomatitis Virus protein (VSVG-GFP) surface expression.
  • Investigated colocalization with trans-Golgi/TGN markers.
  • Studied effects of endogenous ceramide generation via sphingomyelinase.

Main Results:

  • Low ceramide concentrations increased cell-surface AChRs and decreased intracellular pools.
  • High ceramide concentrations reversed this effect, decreasing surface AChRs and increasing intracellular pools.
  • Ceramide effects were specific to AChRs, as VSVG-GFP surface expression remained unaffected.
  • High ceramide concentrations led to increased AChR affinity for [125I]-alpha-bungarotoxin and colocalization with TGN markers.
  • Endogenous ceramide generation also reduced cell-surface AChRs.
  • These effects were independent of protein kinase C zeta and protein phosphatase 2A.

Conclusions:

  • Ceramides (Cer) play a significant role in modulating the trafficking and cell surface stability of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs).
  • Ceramide concentration dictates whether AChR surface expression is increased or decreased.
  • The findings suggest a specific mechanism for ceramide regulation of AChR localization, not a general effect on membrane protein trafficking.