Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: a structural model for alpha-subunit peptide 188-201, the putative binding site for cholinergic agents |
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| Authors: | C Gotti F Frigerio M Bolognesi R Longhi G Racchetti F Clementi |
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| Institution: | Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Milan, Italy. |
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| Abstract: | A peptide corresponding to amino acid sequence 188-201 of the alpha-subunit of Torpedo AChR binds alpha-Bgtx. The S-S bridge between Cys 192 and 193 is essential for the binding as Tyr in position 189. The same sequence 188-201 corresponding to human AChR, which instead of Tyr has a Thr in position 189, binds alpha-Bgtx with a much lower efficiency. Monoclonal antibodies raised against Torpedo peptide 188-201 recognize Torpedo AChR and antibodies against Torpedo AChR recognize peptide 188-201 indicating that the synthetic peptide and the corresponding sequence in the native molecule share some immunological epitopes. With computer graphics and energy refinement a molecular model of this peptide has been elaborated. |
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