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XB-ART-4671
J Neurosci 2003 Sep 17;2324:8445-52.
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Alpha-conotoxin PIA is selective for alpha6 subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Dowell C , Olivera BM , Garrett JE , Staheli ST , Watkins M , Kuryatov A , Yoshikami D , Lindstrom JM , McIntosh JM .


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Until now, there have been no antagonists to discriminate between heteromeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) containing the very closely related alpha6 and alpha3 subunits. nAChRs containing alpha3, alpha4, or alpha6 subunits in combination with beta2, occasionally beta4, and sometimes beta3 or alpha5 subunits, are thought to play important roles in cognitive function, pain perception, and the reinforcing properties of nicotine. We cloned a novel gene from the predatory marine snail Conus purpurascens. The predicted peptide, alpha-conotoxin PIA, potently blocks the chimeric alpha6/alpha3beta2beta3 subunit combination as expressed in oocytes but neither the muscle nor the major neuronal nAChR alpha4beta2. Additionally, this toxin is the first described ligand to discriminate between nAChRs containing alpha6 and alpha3 subunits. Exploiting the unusual intron conservation of conotoxin genes may represent a more general approach for defining conotoxin ligand scaffolds to discriminate among closely related receptor populations.

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Species referenced: Xenopus
Genes referenced: snai1

References [+] :
Azam, Expression of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit mRNAs within midbrain dopamine neurons. 2002, Pubmed