Article
Neurosciences
Kelly Smart, Mika Naganawa, Stephen R. Baldassarri, Nabeel Nabulsi, Jim Ropchan, Soheila Najafzadeh, Hong Gao, Antonio Navarro, Vanessa Barth, Irina Esterlis, Kelly P. Cosgrove, Yiyun Huang, Richard E. Carson, Ansel T. Hillmer
Summary: The study aimed to explore the variation of acetylcholine (Ach) across the human brain using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging estimates of drug occupancy at cholinergic receptors. Results showed consistently lower occupancy estimates within striatal regions, indicating higher ACh concentration, and provided the first in vivo estimates of regional variation in ACh concentration in the living brain.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberta Piovesana, Adam J. Reid, Ada Maria Tata
Summary: The communication between neurons and glial cells has been well-documented in various stages of development and disease. Neurotransmitters, especially acetylcholine, play a significant role in regulating the development and physiology of glial cells. This review focuses on the contribution of neurotransmitter receptors, particularly the M2 muscarinic receptor and the alpha 7 nicotinic receptor, in influencing the phenotype and functioning of Schwann cells. Understanding these interactions can help identify potential therapeutic targets for pathological conditions involving glial cells.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jun-Min Yang, Xiao-Yu Yang, Jian-Hua Wan
Summary: Cholinergic signaling plays a crucial role in the development and progression of pancreatic diseases by stimulating pancreatic cells and reducing pain and inflammation.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathalia M. Pinheiro, Rosana Banzato, Iolanda Tiberio, Marco A. M. Prado, Vania F. Prado, Ayman K. Hamouda, Carla M. Prado
Summary: In acute lung injury, inflammatory markers are significantly elevated in cholinergic-deficient mice compared to wild-type, but treatment with the selective alpha 7 nicotinic receptor agonist PNU 282987 can restore the response and reduce lung inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effects of the lung cholinergic system are associated with an increase in the level of alpha 7 nicotinic receptors, suggesting potential clinical applications for treating acute lung injury.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Irida Papapostolou, Daniela Ross-Kaschitza, Florian Bochen, Christine Peinelt, Maria Constanza Maldifassi
Summary: Nicotine in tobacco induces tumor-promoting effects and chemotherapy resistance through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). This study investigates the role of a5 subunit in nicotine-induced cancer cell proliferation and migration in breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells. The results show that nicotine-induced proliferation and migration are mediated by a5.
Review
Immunology
Namrita Halder, Girdhari Lal
Summary: Neurological and immunological signals interact to maintain homeostasis in the body. The cholinergic system plays a crucial role in neuroimmune communication, regulating immune response. Various molecules of the neuronal and non-neuronal cholinergic system interact to modulate inflammation and immunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Johan Paakkonen, Janne Janis, Juha Rouvinen
Summary: This article introduces a set of simulation applets for visualizing the behavior of association and dissociation reactions in protein studies. These applets can be used for experimental planning, result verification, and educational visualization of equilibria. Users can input the total concentrations and dissociation constants of protein species and complexes, and the applets output equilibrium concentrations graphically and numerically.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arthur Cardoso Souto, Matheus Heidemann Tempone, Lyslie Azeredo Coutinho Goncalves, Vladimir Pedro Peralva Borges-Martins, Maria Carolina Peixoto-Rodrigues, Ana Clara Oliveira Damascena, Gabriel Ferraz, Alex Christian Manhaes, Newton Goncalves Castro, Ricardo Augusto de Melo Reis, Ana Lucia Marques Ventura, Regina Celia Cussa Kubrusly
Summary: Nicotine influences the development of avian embryo retina by reducing GABA uptake and increasing release through NMDAR and PKC pathways, as well as promoting calcium influx.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Natalia A. Quijano Carde, Jessica Shaw, Christina Carter, Seung Kim, Jerry A. Stitzel, Shyamala K. Venkatesh, Vijay A. Ramchandani, Mariella De Biasi
Summary: Alcohol and nicotine use during adolescence can lead to long-term neuroplastic changes that affect subsequent drug use. This study found that variation in the CHRNA5 gene is associated with drinking and smoking behaviors. Disruption of the alpha 5 nAChR subunit increases nicotine intake, particularly in adolescent female mice, while the effect on alcohol intake is more prominent in females. Additionally, adolescent alcohol or nicotine exposure can modulate subsequent intake of the opposite drug in adulthood, and this effect is influenced by sex and Chrna5 mutation.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Saeed Alqahtani, Mark C. C. Butcher, Gordon Ramage, Matthew J. J. Dalby, William McLean, Christopher J. J. Nile
Summary: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to regenerate tissues. However, the signaling mechanisms and pathways that control their proliferation and differentiation are not fully understood. Recent studies suggest that the non-neuronal cholinergic signaling system, specifically acetylcholine (ACh), plays a significant role in cell-to-cell communication and stem cell function. ACh receptors (AChRs) have been identified in MSCs and have been found to impact their regenerative potential. This review summarizes the expression and function of AChRs in different types of MSCs, highlighting their pivotal role in regulating MSC regenerative function.
STEM CELLS AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Belle Buzzi, Eda Koseli, Lauren Moncayo, Mohammed Shoaib, M. Imad Damaj
Summary: Cannabis is widely used worldwide and there is no approved treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD). Co-use of nicotine and cannabis suggests overlapping neurobiological actions, supported by their receptor systems in the brain. Studying nicotinic receptors may help understand cannabinoid dependence, with different subtypes potentially modulating different effects of cannabinoids. Clinical and genetic studies indicate potential involvement of alpha 5, alpha 3, and beta 4 nAChR subunits, while the alpha 2 subunit is strongly implicated in CUD susceptibility. Current smoking cessation agents may also be beneficial in treating CUD, but further controlled studies are needed. Additional research is necessary to investigate the role of nAChR in the pharmacological effects of cannabinoids.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ainhoa Alzualde, Oihane Jaka, Diogo A. R. S. Latino, Omar Alijevic, Inaki Iturria, Jorge Hurtado de Mendoza, Pavel Pospisil, Stefan Frentzel, Manuel C. Peitsch, Julia Hoeng, Kyoko Koshibu
Summary: The study found nicotine to be the most effective anxiolytic alkaloid tested, with other natural alkaloids also potentially regulating anxiety.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL MEDICINES
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
David M. M. Shostak, Stephanie Constantin, Jill Flannery, Susan Wray
Summary: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-secreting neurons, controlled by acetylcholine (ACh), directly regulate fertility by modulating gonadotrophs in the anterior pituitary. Calcium imaging experiments reveal that ACh can directly modulate GnRH neuronal activity. Cholinergic cells in septal areas are the source of ACh afferents contacting GnRH neurons.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sakura Nakauchi, Hailing Su, Ivan Trang, Katumi Sumikawa
Summary: Research has shown that early postnatal nicotine exposure has more pronounced effects on nicotinic function than muscarinic function in the hippocampal CA1 region. This suggests that impaired hippocampus-dependent memory may result from developmental disruption of nicotinic cholinergic systems.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MEMORY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Melissa A. Tapia, Xiao-Tao Jin, Brenton R. Tucker, Leanne N. Thomas, Noah B. Walker, Veronica J. Kim, Steven E. Albertson, Naresh Damuka, Ivan Krizan, Seby Edassery, Jeffrey N. Savas, Kiran Kumar Solingapuram Sai, Sara R. Jones, Ryan M. Drenan
Summary: This study investigated the behavior and neurobiological effects of intermittent nicotine intake in rats. The results suggest that intermittent nicotine intake may lead to increased craving and enhanced response to nicotine-associated cues. Additionally, intermittent nicotine intake also caused increased nicotine binding in the brain and specific changes in the proteome of certain neural structures.
