Roles for N-terminal extracellular domains of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ?3 subunits in enhanced functional expression of mouse ?6?2?3- and ?6?4?3-nAChRs.
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ABSTRACT: Functional heterologous expression of naturally expressed mouse ?6*-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (m?6*-nAChRs; where "*" indicates the presence of additional subunits) has been difficult. Here we expressed and characterized wild-type (WT), gain-of-function, chimeric, or gain-of-function chimeric nAChR subunits, sometimes as hybrid nAChRs containing both human (h) and mouse (m) subunits, in Xenopus oocytes. Hybrid m?6m?4h?3- (? 5-8-fold) or WT m?6m?4m?3-nAChRs (? 2-fold) yielded higher function than m?6m?4-nAChRs. Function was not detected when m?6 and m?2 subunits were expressed together or in the additional presence of h?3 or m?3 subunits. However, function emerged upon expression of m?6m?2m?3(V9'S)-nAChRs containing ?3 subunits having gain-of-function V9'S (valine to serine at the 9'-position) mutations in transmembrane domain II and was further elevated 9-fold when h?3(V9'S) subunits were substituted for m?3(V9'S) subunits. Studies involving WT or gain-of-function chimeric mouse/human ?3 subunits narrowed the search for domains that influence functional expression of m?6*-nAChRs. Using h?3 subunits as templates for site-directed mutagenesis studies, substitution with m?3 subunit residues in extracellular N-terminal domain loops "C" (Glu(221) and Phe(223)), "E" (Ser(144) and Ser(148)), and "?2-?3" (Gln(94) and Glu(101)) increased function of m?6m?2*- (? 2-3-fold) or m?6m?4* (? 2-4-fold)-nAChRs. EC50 values for nicotine acting at m?6m?4*-nAChR were unaffected by ?3 subunit residue substitutions in loop C or E. Thus, amino acid residues located in primary (loop C) or complementary (loops ?2-?3 and E) interfaces of ?3 subunits are some of the molecular impediments for functional expression of m?6m?2?3- or m?6m?4?3-nAChRs.
SUBMITTER: Dash B
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4192487 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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