Localization of Nicotinic Receptors

Creative Bioarray focuses on providing clients with services for the localization and expression analysis of nAChRs during neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development and in the central nervous system. Our dedicated scientific team is capable of tailoring efficient strategies to meet the needs of our clients, ensuring that reliable and detailed data are available within a short time frame.

Background

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), also commonly called ionotropic acetylcholine receptors, respond specifically to nicotine. nAChRs are ligand-gated ion channels consisting of five protein subunits and these subunits are symmetrically arranged in a barrel-like structure. Moreover, nAChRs are non-selective cation channels that allow the passage of sodium, potassium and, in some cases, calcium ions.

nAChRs are found in many parts of the body, including the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the central nervous system, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors regulate the chemical pathways that assist in brain arousal, and acetylcholine receptors in the brain normally inhibit the activation of neuronal populations in these pathways. In the peripheral nervous system, nAChRs are located on nerves that form neuromuscular connections with skeletal muscle and regulate the movement of skeletal muscle. Assessing the localization and/or expression levels of nAChRs at different sites helps to achieve elucidation of the functions they regulate under physiological and pathological conditions.

Fig. 1 Chemical structures of imaging probes targeting α4β2 nAChRs. (Ueda, 2018)

Our Services

We are committed to developing a variety of strategies to help our clients localize and quantify the expression of nAChRs in different tissues. Our services include but are not limited to:

• Fluorescence imaging of AChRs during NMJ development.
  The NMJ development is marked by the temporal and spatial registration of vesicle release mechanisms and postsynaptic AChR clustering. We use fluorescently conjugated α-bungarotoxin (BTX) as a probe to map the distribution of nAChRs in skeletal muscle cells. In addition, we combined BTX with highly fluorescent-labeled molecules or microspheres to achieve detailed mapping of AChR movement on the surface of cultured muscle cells.
• Quantitative molecular imaging of brain neuronal nAChRs.
  The nAChRs are one of the attractive therapeutic targets for a range of cognitive functions as well as psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. We help our clients to assess the localization and/or density of nAChRs in the brain of transgenic mouse strains in a non-invasive manner through molecular imaging techniques targeting nAChRs.
• Development of nAChRs imaging probes, such as PET and SPECT probes for α4β2 nAChRs and imaging probes for α7 subtypes.

Applications

• Exploration of AChR cluster formation that accompanies NMJ development
• Pathophysiological study of diseases related to nAChR
• Improvement of early and specific diagnosis
• Development of specific therapies for individual patients

Creative Bioarray is committed to providing imaging services for nicotinic receptors to help clients obtain detailed localization and expression information on nAChRs. If you are interested in our scientific services and technical support, please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Ueda, M.; et al. In vivo imaging of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling in Neuroprotection, 2018: 17-44.