Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (Nematode Muscle) (nAChR (Nematode Muscle))

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in nematode muscle is a ligand-gated ion channel that mediates fast synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. It is the primary molecular target for several classes of anthelmintic drugs, including levamisole, pyrantel, and oxantel. Activation of these receptors by agonists leads to sustained muscle contraction and ultimately spastic paralysis of the parasite. Each nAChR is a pentamer formed from five homologous subunits arranged around a central pore. Several pharmacologically distinct subtypes exist, including L-type, N-type, and B-type receptors. Key genes encoding muscle nAChR subunits include unc-29, unc-38, unc-63, lev-1, lev-8, and acr-16 in *C. elegans*.

Other names

Nematode muscle nAChRLevamisole receptorPyrantel receptorOxantel receptor

Agonist-induced sustained activation leading to spastic paralysis