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Related Concept Videos

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic01:15

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Upon activation, they cause a rapid increase in the permeability of cells to K+, Na+, and Ca2+, followed by depolarization and excitation. They are in the autonomic ganglia, skeletal neuromuscular junction, CNS, and adrenal medulla.
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...
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...
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: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:29

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

Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists are agents that interact with the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the synaptic cleft, preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine into choline and acetate. Consequently, the concentration of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft increases. These agonists can be classified into reversible and irreversible inhibitors based on their duration of action.
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...
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...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:29

Cholinergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Cholinergic antagonists bind to cholinergic receptors and limit the effects of acetylcholine and other cholinergic agonists. Based on the specific cholinergic receptor affinity, these antagonists are classified as muscarinic or nicotinic. Anticholinergics interrupt parasympathetic innervations while sympathetic innervations remain uninterrupted. Muscarinic antagonists are also called 'muscarinic antagonists', 'antimuscarinics', or 'parasympatholytics'. Nicotinic antagonists are called...

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Influence of the M3-M4 intracellular domain upon nicotinic acetylcholine receptor assembly, targeting and function.

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Identification of domains influencing assembly and ion channel properties in alpha 7 nicotinic receptor and 5-HT3 receptor subunit chimaeras.

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Assembly and subunit diversity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

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Inefficient cell-surface expression of hybrid complexes formed by the co-assembly of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and serotonin receptor subunits.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Localization of Plasma Membrane and Intracellular Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Using Quantitative Imaging in Mammalian Cells
09:06

Localization of Plasma Membrane and Intracellular Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Using Quantitative Imaging in Mammalian Cells

Published on: December 19, 2025

RIC-3: a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor chaperone.

N S Millar1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK. n.millar@ucl.ac.uk

British Journal of Pharmacology
|February 5, 2008
PubMed
Summary

RIC-3 acts as a molecular chaperone for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Its function in receptor expression varies by subtype and host cell, indicating a complex regulatory role.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • RIC-3 is a transmembrane protein functioning as a molecular chaperone.
  • It plays a critical role in the folding, assembly, and functional expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).
  • RIC-3 also influences the maturation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the history and function of RIC-3 as a molecular chaperone.
  • To explore the variable effects of RIC-3 on different nAChR subtypes and 5-HT(3)R.
  • To highlight the influence of host cell environment on RIC-3 chaperone activity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on RIC-3 function.
  • Analysis of research on RIC-3 interactions with various receptor subtypes.

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Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons
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Localization of Plasma Membrane and Intracellular Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Using Quantitative Imaging in Mammalian Cells
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Localization of Plasma Membrane and Intracellular Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Using Quantitative Imaging in Mammalian Cells

Published on: December 19, 2025

Utilizing pHluorin-tagged Receptors to Monitor Subcellular Localization and Trafficking
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Utilizing pHluorin-tagged Receptors to Monitor Subcellular Localization and Trafficking

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Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons

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  • Examination of evidence regarding host cell modulation of RIC-3 activity.

    • Main Results:

    • RIC-3 is essential for the expression of homomeric alpha7 neuronal nAChRs.
    • RIC-3 exhibits context-dependent effects on heteromeric alpha4beta2 nAChRs and 5-HT(3)R maturation.
    • Conflicting results on RIC-3 activity suggest modulation by other cellular factors.

    Conclusions:

    • RIC-3 acts as a crucial chaperone for nAChRs, with its precise role varying by receptor subtype.
    • The chaperone activity of RIC-3 is influenced by the cellular environment, indicating complex regulatory mechanisms.
    • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the modulators of RIC-3 function in different biological systems.