Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (Skeletal Muscle Type) (nAChR (Skeletal Muscle))

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), specifically the skeletal muscle type, is a ligand-gated ion channel located at the postsynaptic membrane of neuromuscular junctions in skeletal muscle. It is essential for converting chemical signals from motor neurons into electrical signals that trigger muscle contraction. The muscle-type nAChR is a heteropentamer composed of five subunits (two α1, one β1, one δ, and either one γ (fetal) or one ε (adult) subunit). When acetylcholine binds, it induces a conformational change that opens the central pore, allowing Na⁺ influx and K⁺ efflux, leading to muscle contraction. It is the target of drugs like curare derivatives, which are used as paralytics. Dysfunction is associated with myasthenia gravis.

Other names

Muscle-type Nicotinic Acetylcholine ReceptorSkeletal Muscle nAChRAChR (Muscle)

Agonist binding opens the ion channel, allowing Na+ influx and K+ efflux, leading to depolarization and muscle contraction. Antagonists block the channel, preventing ion flow and muscle contraction.