title: Nicotinic cholinergic intercellular communication: implications for the developing auditory system.
abstract: In this paper, research on the temporal and spatial distribution of cholinergic-related molecules in the lower auditory brainstem, with an emphasis on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), is reviewed. The possible functions of acetylcholine (ACh) in driving selective auditory neurons before the onset of hearing, inducing glutamate receptor gene expression, synaptogenesis, differentiation, and cell survival are discussed. Experiments conducted in other neuronal and non-neuronal systems are drawn on extensively to discuss putative functions of ACh and nAChRs. Data from other systems may provide insight into the functions of ACh and nAChRs in auditory processing. The mismatch of presynaptic and postsynaptic markers and novel endogenous agonists of nAChRs are discussed in the context of non-classical interneuronal communication. The molecular mechanism that may underlie the many functions of ACh and its agonists is the regulation of intracellular calcium through nAChRs. The possible reorganization that may take place in the auditory system by the exposure to nicotine during critical developmental periods is also briefly considered.
authors.affiliation: Boys Town National Research Hospital, Neurochemistry Laboratory, 555 North 30th Street, Omaha, NE 68131, USA. morely@boystown.org
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Morley
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
chemical_list: C579167:Chrna7 protein, human; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; D000109:Acetylcholine; D002118:Calcium