Biochemistry & Pharmacology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

The Roles of a5-Containing nAChRs in the Brain

Ming Gao, Yakun Wang and Jie Wu

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are in the superfamily of the ligand-gated ion channels with
an assembly of five subunits (a, bsubunit). nAChRs, such as a4b-and a7-nAChRs play crucial roles in nicotine reward, dependence and withdrawal. Recently, functional profiles of the a5 nAChRs have been studied using the a5 knockout (KO) and the overexpression mice. a5-nAChRs in the brain participate in neuronal activities associate with nicotine dependence, withdrawal, aversion, as well as alcohol use disorders. The main focus of this review is to underst and a5-containing nAChR’s properties, function, and related disorders recently discovered.