Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (Nematode)

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in nematodes are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast synaptic transmission at neuromuscular junctions and within the nervous system. These receptors are essential for nematode movement and survival, making them a critical target for anthelmintic drugs used to control parasitic infections. They are pentameric structures composed of various subunits, with subtype profiles influencing drug sensitivity. Classical anthelmintics like levamisole and pyrantel act as agonists, causing paralysis. Species differences exist, necessitating careful extrapolation from model organisms like *C. elegans* to parasitic species. Heterologous expression systems are valuable for studying receptor pharmacology.

Agonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, causing spastic paralysis