title: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: a structural model for alpha-subunit peptide 188-201, the putative binding site for cholinergic agents.
abstract: A peptide corresponding to amino acid sequence 188-201 of the alpha-subunit of Torpedo AChR binds alpha-Bgtx. The S-S bridge between Cys 192 and 193 is essential for the binding as Tyr in position 189. The same sequence 188-201 corresponding to human AChR, which instead of Tyr has a Thr in position 189, binds alpha-Bgtx with a much lower efficiency. Monoclonal antibodies raised against Torpedo peptide 188-201 recognize Torpedo AChR and antibodies against Torpedo AChR recognize peptide 188-201 indicating that the synthetic peptide and the corresponding sequence in the native molecule share some immunological epitopes. With computer graphics and energy refinement a molecular model of this peptide has been elaborated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gotti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Frigerio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolognesi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Longhi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Racchetti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Clementi
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001665:Binding Sites; D002038:Bungarotoxins; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology; D014101:Torpedo
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002038:Bungarotoxins; D010455:Peptides; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic