The habit of smoking tobacco products creates major health problems in the U.S. Because of the significant behavioral and psychological effects of nicotine, this research focuses on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) from the central nervous system. The goals of this research are (1) to characterize the permeation of calcium ions through neuronal nAChRs, (2) determine how intracellular Ca regulates the activity of neuronal nAChRs, and (3) evaluate how mutations of the pore-lining amino acids change ion permeation, receptor desensitization, and pharmacological properties. The research will focus on the alpha7 neuronal nAChR because they are localized at presynaptic terminals and are sensitive to a-bungarotoxin, suggesting their importance in regulating neurotransmitter release. Several complimentary experimental approaches will be used. AChRs will be expressed in Xenopus oocytes to evaluate channel viability, macroscopic receptor desensitization rates, and pharmacological properties. Alpha7 nAChRs will be reconstituted from oocyte surface membranes into planar lipid bilayer where we can control the ionic and regulatory environment of the channels. Single-channel electrophysiological approaches will be used to study (a) the affinity of permeant ion interactions with the pore, (b) the permeation of Ca through the pore, and (c) the regulation of the channel activity by intracellular Ca. In addition, nAChRs will be synthesized in vitro using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system supplemented with endoplasmic reticulum microsomes. PAGE, density gradients, and ligand binding techniques will be used to study the biochemical properties of the synthesized AChRs. The in vitro synthesized nAChRs will be reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers to characterize their functional properties in the absence of other membrane proteins that may act as allosteric regulators. The detailed analysis of the biochemical and functional properties of several forms of alpha7 nAChRs will provide valuable information about these nicotinic receptors, the molecular basis of nicotine addiction, and perhaps the basis for the death of cholinergic neurons in Alzheimer's disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS037317-01
Application #
2561323
Study Section
Neurological Sciences Subcommittee 1 (NLS)
Program Officer
Baughman, Robert W
Project Start
1998-04-01
Project End
2002-02-28
Budget Start
1998-04-01
Budget End
1999-02-28
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Lyford, Lisa K; Sproul, Adrian D; Eddins, Donnie et al. (2003) Agonist-induced conformational changes in the extracellular domain of alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Mol Pharmacol 64:650-8
Eddins, Donnie; Lyford, Lisa K; Lee, Jung Weon et al. (2002) Permeant but not impermeant divalent cations enhance activation of nondesensitizing alpha(7) nicotinic receptors. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 282:C796-804
Eddins, Donnie; Sproul, Adrian D; Lyford, Lisa K et al. (2002) Glutamate 172, essential for modulation of L247T alpha7 ACh receptors by Ca2+, lines the extracellular vestibule. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 283:C1454-60
Lyford, L K; Lee, J W; Rosenberg, R L (2002) Low-affinity Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) binding sites in the pore of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Biochim Biophys Acta 1559:69-78
Lyford, L K; Rosenberg, R L (1999) Cell-free expression and functional reconstitution of homo-oligomeric alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors into planar lipid bilayers. J Biol Chem 274:25675-81