1. Expression of an α7 duplicate nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-related protein in human leukocytes
- Author
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Villiger, Y., Szanto, I., Jaconi, S., Blanchet, C., Buisson, B., Krause, K.-H., Bertrand, D., and Romand, J.-A.
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CHOLINERGIC receptors , *LEUCOCYTES - Abstract
We examined the potential expression and function of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in leukocytes. RT-PCR with α7 specific primers revealed the presence of the receptor mRNA in leukocytes. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated the expression of a protein that is recognized by α7 specific antibodies. However, nicotine and acetylcholine (ACh) failed to elicit current in leukocytes. Binding experiments with α-bungarotoxin rhodamine conjugated were negative, illustrating the absence of a high-affinity binding site. RT-PCR analysis revealed the selective expression of the dupα7 mRNA. These data indicate that leukocytes express in their membrane the dupα7 protein but its physiological role remains to be identified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2002
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