Acetylcholine binding protein
From Proteopedia
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For additional information, see: [[Alzheimer's Disease]] | For additional information, see: [[Alzheimer's Disease]] | ||
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Revision as of 07:54, 25 October 2015
Contents |
Function
Acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP) is secreted by snails into cholinergic synapses, where it modulates transmission by binding acetylcholine (ACh). Sequence alignment revealed high similarity to the extracellular domains of the ligand-binding subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR).
Structural highlights
The crystal structure of the AChBP homopentamer indeed provides a valuable model for identifying the nature of the ligand-binding domains and of the subunit interfaces of the nAChR. Furthermore, crystal structures of complexes of AChBP with various agonists and antagonists have provided detailed insight into the neurotransmitter binding site of nAChRs. The image on the right correspond to one representative AChBP structure, i.e. the Acetylcholine binding protein from Aplysia californica (2byn).
Relevance
Like the nAChR, AChBP - with ca. 20% sequence similarity - binds agonists and antagonists like ACh, nicotine, α-bungarotoxin, epibatidine with similar affinities hence it is a useful tool for understanding nAChR activity. Both receptors contain a Cys-Cys loop at the subunits interface as well as conserved residues at the ACh binding site.
3D Structures of Acetylcholine binding protein
Updated on 25-October-2015
Additional Resources
For additional information, see: Alzheimer's Disease
Proteopedia Page Contributors and Editors (what is this?)
Michal Harel, Alexander Berchansky, Joel L. Sussman, David Canner
