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Acetylcholine Binding Protein modulates synaptic transmission of acetylcholine in snails. The protein described in this page, a humanized chimera of the protein found in snails, is the α7 acetylcholine binding protein complexed with the lobeline ligand.

Function

Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that act in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Acetylcholine is released in motor neurons and functions to cause muscles to be activated. Lobeline by itself can either activate or inhibit nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the both CNS and PNS. Acetylcholine Binding Protein, on the other hand, binds acetylcholine, modulating its transmission through ligand-gated ion channels. Combined with Lobeline, this can cause a significant decrease in the activity of acetylcholine receptors by inhibiting receptor activity while also modulating transmission through such receptors.

Disease

The protein is associated with the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which is associated with neurodegenerative effects in Alzheimer's Disease and Schizophrenia. Possible pharmaceuticals targeting the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor involving the α7-acetylcholine binding protein and lobeline complex could be developed, which would have particular signficance in their ability to mediate ion channels without affecting neurotransmitter release. Lobeline by itself is sold as a smoking aid due to its activity blocking the uptake of nicotine and its subsequent binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

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Structural highlights

The acetylcholine binding protein and lobeline complex consists of the overall acetylcholine binding protein structure with five ligands. There are also four ligands and five ligands, one of which consists of 2 bonded N-acetylglucosamine molecules bonded to beta-D-mannose which is bonded to alpha-D-mannose.