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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...
Adrenergic Receptors: ɑ Subtype01:31

Adrenergic Receptors: ɑ Subtype

Adrenoceptors are classified into α and ꞵ classes based on their potencies to catecholamine agonists. α-adrenoceptors show the following order of catecholamine potency:
Adrenaline ≥ Noradrenaline >> Isoprenaline
α-adrenoceptors are further divided into α1 and α2-adrenoceptors.
α1-Adrenoceptors: These receptors are located postsynaptically on the effector organs and cause constriction of smooth muscle mediated by activation of phospholipase C—inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate...
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...
Adrenergic Receptors (Adrenoceptors): Classification01:27

Adrenergic Receptors (Adrenoceptors): Classification

Adrenergic receptors, or adrenoceptors, respond to the autonomic neurotransmitter noradrenaline and other endogenous catecholamine agonists. They are classified into two main families, α and β, based on their pharmacological response and are further subdivided depending on their location, elicited response, and affinity to specific agonists or antagonists.
α-Adrenoceptors
α-Adrenoceptors are classified into two main subtypes: α1 and α2. The α1 adrenoceptors, which are found on postsynaptic...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 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

Naturally-expressed nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes.

Jie Wu1, Ronald J Lukas

  • 1Division of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 West Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013, United States. jie.wu@chw.edu

Biochemical Pharmacology
|July 27, 2011
PubMed
Summary

New research reveals novel subtypes and isoforms of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with distinct properties and distributions, challenging existing assembly rules and impacting our understanding of brain function and neurological disorders.

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

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are crucial for brain and body functions.
  • nAChRs are implicated in neurological and psychiatric disorders, including nicotine dependence.
  • nAChRs comprise diverse subtypes with varied properties and distributions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on nAChR isoforms with unexpected properties.
  • To summarize novel nAChR subtypes and their distributions.
  • To re-evaluate the roles of nAChRs in health and disease based on new data.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent findings on nAChR assembly and function.
  • Summary of original research investigating novel nAChR subtypes and distributions.
  • Analysis of implications for understanding nAChR roles.

Main Results:

  • Emerging evidence shows nAChR isoforms with similar major subunits possess different properties.
  • Novel nAChR subtypes and previously undescribed distributions have been identified.
  • These findings challenge established nAChR assembly rules.

Conclusions:

  • The existence of novel nAChR isoforms and subtypes necessitates a revised understanding of their function.
  • New insights into nAChR distributions and properties impact our view of their roles in health and disease.
  • Further research is required to fully elucidate the significance of these newly identified nAChRs.