Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and cancer.
Nicotine, the primary addictive constituent of cigarettes, is believed to contribute to cancer promotion and progression through the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are membrane ligand-gated cation channels. nAChRs activation can be triggered by the neurotransmitter Ach, or certain other biological compounds, such as nicotine. In recent years, genome-wide association studies have indicated that allelic variation in the α5-α3-β4 nAChR cluster on chromosome 15q24-15q25.1 is associated with lung cancer risk. The role of nAChRs in other types of cancer has also been reported. The present review highlights the role of nAChRs in types of human cancer.
Department of Dermatology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China.
Ningning
N
Dang
Department of Dermatology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China.
Xianguang
X
Meng
Department of Dermatology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China.
Haiyan
H
Song
cancer; nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; tobacco