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Localization of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors on Somatic Spines of Chick Ciliary Ganglion Neurons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

R. Shoop ,
M. Martone ,
N. Yamada ,
M. Ellisman  and
D. Berg
R. Shoop
Affiliation:
Department of Biology; University of California, San Diego; La Jolla, California92093
M. Martone
Affiliation:
National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research; University of California, San Diego; La Jolla, California92093
N. Yamada
Affiliation:
National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research; University of California, San Diego; La Jolla, California92093
M. Ellisman
Affiliation:
National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research; University of California, San Diego; La Jolla, California92093
D. Berg
Affiliation:
Department of Biology; University of California, San Diego; La Jolla, California92093
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Extract

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric membrane proteins that function as cation selective, ligand-gated ion channels and are widely distributed throughout the vertebrate nervous system. One of the most abundant nAChRs is a species that contains the α7 gene product (α7-AChRs), binds the snake venom oc-bungarotoxin, and rapidly desensitizes. These receptors have been shown to function at presynaptic sites to modulate transmitter release, as well as on postsynaptic cells where they mediate transmission. Interestingly, these receptors have an exceptionally high relative permeability to calcium.

In the chick ciliary ganglion, the α 7-AChRs play a prominent role, by generating large synaptic currents, but the receptors appear to be excluded from postysnaptic densities on the cell. Immunohistochemical studies have shown that the receptors form large clusters on the surface of the ciliary ganglion neurons. We have recently shown that the α 7-containing receptors are concentrated on mats of somatic spines in close proximity to putative sites of presynaptic transmitter release.

Type
Structural Approaches to the Study of Cell Cell Interactions In Three Dimensions
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 5 , Issue S2: Proceedings: Microscopy & Microanalysis '99, Microscopy Society of America 57th Annual Meeting, Microbeam Analysis Society 33rd Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon August 1-5, 1999 , August 1999 , pp. 1028 - 1029
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America

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