title: Subunit requirements for Torpedo AChR channel expression: a specific role for the delta-subunit in voltage-dependent gating.
abstract: This study examines the subunit requirement for Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR) channel expression and the influence of non-alpha-subunit deletions on single AChR-channel currents. Xenopus oocytes injected with subunit combinations deficient in single non-alpha-subunit mRNA transcripts display the following order of ACh sensitivity: beta-less > gamma-less > delta-less. Oocytes injected with only the alpha-subunit and one non-alpha-subunit display the order: alpha delta > alpha gamma > alpha beta. These sequences indicate the effectiveness of non-alpha-subunit substitution is delta > gamma > beta. Single AChR-channel currents measured in oocytes deficient in either beta or gamma display conductance and voltage-sensitive burst kinetics similar to the wild-type channel. In contrast, the delta-less combination express channels with burst kinetics that are relatively faster and voltage insensitive. These results indicate that either a specific structural domain in the delta-subunit or its specific interactions with the alpha-subunit contribute to the voltage-dependent gating of the Torpedo AChR channel.
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Golino
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Hamill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014101:Torpedo; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins