title: Chaperoning α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
abstract: The α7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) is one of the most abundant members of the Cys-loop family of receptors present in the central nervous system. It participates in various physiological processes and has received much attention as a potential therapeutic target for a variety of pathologies. The importance of understanding the mechanisms controlling AChR assembly and cell-surface delivery lies in the fact that these two processes are key to determining the functional pool of receptors actively engaged in synaptic transmission. Here we review recent studies showing that RIC-3, a protein originally identified in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, modulates the expression of α7 AChRs in a subtype-specific manner. Potentiation of AChR expression by post-transcriptional events is also critically assessed.
authors: Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
authors: Ana S
authors: AS
authors: Vallés
authors: Francisco J
authors: FJ
authors: Barrantes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C579167:Chrna7 protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; C496701:RIC3 protein, human; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; C454141:ric-3 protein, C elegans