The fall and rise of neuronal alpha-bungarotoxin binding proteins.
Although neuronal [125I]-alpha-bungarotoxin binding proteins are similar in many respects to muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, their functional significance has eluded researchers for the past fifteen years. Over this period, their status became increasingly doubtful, as almost all attempts failed to demonstrate that alpha-bungarotoxin could block neuronal nicotinic responses. Recently, these enigmatic proteins have been cloned and expressed in oocytes, and have been examined afresh in their native state. As Paul Clarke explains, it is time to recognize neuronal alpha-bungarotoxin binding proteins as distinct members of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene family, even if perhaps they do not function quite like other members.
Clarke
P B
PB
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
D002038:Bungarotoxins; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor