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Related Concept Videos

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants01:23

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...
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...
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
Regulation of Metabolism01:19

Regulation of Metabolism

Cellular needs and conditions vary from cell to cell and change within individual cells over time. For example, the required enzymes and energetic demands of stomach cells are different from those of fat storage cells, skin cells, blood cells, and nerve cells. Furthermore, a digestive cell works much harder to process and break down nutrients during the time that closely follows a meal compared with many hours after a meal. As these cellular demands and conditions vary, so do the amounts and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration
08:47

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration

Published on: February 10, 2012

A metabolon channels nicotine biosynthesis.

Hao Zhang1, Benke Hong1

  • 1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules, Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|July 2, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Researchers identified key enzymes and intermediates in nicotine biosynthesis. These components form a complex that enhances nicotine production and accumulation in plants.

Keywords:
biosynthesismetabolic engineeringmetabolite channelingmetabolonnicotine

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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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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration
08:47

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration

Published on: February 10, 2012

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

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Plant Biology
  • Metabolic Engineering

Background:

  • Nicotine biosynthesis is a complex metabolic pathway in plants.
  • Key enzymes and intermediates involved in this pathway have remained elusive.
  • Understanding nicotine production is crucial for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the complete pathway of nicotine biosynthesis.
  • To identify previously unknown enzymes and intermediates.
  • To investigate the structural organization of nicotine biosynthetic enzymes.

Main Methods:

  • Biochemical assays to characterize enzyme activity.
  • Proteomics to identify protein complexes.
  • Genetic analysis to confirm enzyme function.
  • Subcellular localization studies using microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Discovery of cryptic glycosylated intermediates in nicotine biosynthesis.
  • Identification of novel enzymes completing the nicotine biosynthetic pathway.
  • Demonstration of nicotine biosynthetic enzymes and a transporter forming a vacuolar membrane metabolon.
  • Evidence of substrate channeling and enhanced pathway efficiency due to metabolon formation.
  • Correlation between metabolon assembly and increased nicotine accumulation.

Conclusions:

  • The study reveals a complete picture of nicotine biosynthesis.
  • Enzymes and transporters form a functional metabolon, optimizing nicotine production.
  • This finding has significant implications for metabolic engineering of nicotine in plants.