title: Are nicotinic acetylcholine receptors coupled to G proteins?
abstract: It was, until recently, accepted that the two classes of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors are distinct in an important sense: muscarinic ACh receptors signal via heterotrimeric GTP binding proteins (G proteins), whereas nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) open to allow flux of Na+, Ca2+, and K+ ions into the cell after activation. Here we present evidence of direct coupling between G proteins and nAChRs in neurons. Based on proteomic, biophysical, and functional evidence, we hypothesize that binding to G proteins modulates the activity and signaling of nAChRs in cells. It is important to note that while this hypothesis is new for the nAChR, it is consistent with known interactions between G proteins and structurally related ligand-gated ion channels. Therefore, it underscores an evolutionarily conserved metabotropic mechanism of G protein signaling via nAChR channels.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kabbani
authors.forename: Jacob C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Nordman
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Corgiat
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Veltri
authors.forename: Amarda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shehu
authors.forename: Victoria A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Seymour
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins