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Evaluation of membrane potential assay kit using the FDSS/µCELL imaging plate reader: Detection ion channel in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs)

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Evaluation of membrane potential assay kit using the FDSS/µCELL imaging plate reader: Detection ion channel in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs)

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Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels. nAChRs are normally triggered by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), but they may also be triggered by nicotine. Nicotinic receptors do not operate with a second messenger, but open themselves forming an ion channel. Opening of the channel allows positively charged ions to enter or leave the cell. The nAChR are permeable to Ca2+, but also to Na+ and K+ which will flow according to their concentration gradients. The neuronal nAChR subunit family includes nine α subunits, designated (alpha)2-(alpha)10 and three β subunits designated β2-β4. The α4β2 nAChR is the most abundant nAChR subtype expressed in the brain, and studies have demonstrated that this receptor subtype is located presynaptically on GABAergic and dopaminergic terminals.

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