A Review: The Role of Functional Groups in the Binding of Acetylcholine and Nicotine to Muscle-type nAChRs

Yihan Xu

doi:10.62051/b4fcdq66

Authors

Yihan Xu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62051/b4fcdq66

Keywords:

Acetylcholine; nicotine; muscle-type nAChRs; binding mechanism; functional groups; amino acid residues; hydrogen bonds; pi-cation interactions; affinity.

Abstract

This essay discusses the different affinities of acetylcholine and nicotine for muscle-type acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) due to their different chemical structures and binding mechanisms. Muscle-type nAChRs are pentameric receptors composed of five protein subunits, with the alpha subunit directly interacting with acetylcholine or nicotine. Acetylcholine binds to muscle-type nAChRs through key functional groups, including the carbonyl group and the quaternary ammonium cation, and specific interactions with tyrosine, serine, and tryptophan residues. Nicotine binds to muscle-type nAChRs through weaker interactions with the pyridine and pyrrolidine rings, as well as with polar or charged residues in the binding site. The strengths of the hydrogen bonds and pi-cation interactions involved in acetylcholine and nicotine binding are relatively weak.

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