Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor adult muscle-type (α1)_2β1δε (nAChR (adult muscle-type))

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor adult muscle-type (α1)_2β1δε is a ligand-gated ion channel located at the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction in skeletal muscle.[3][4][5] It is a heteropentameric protein complex composed of five subunits: two alpha-1 (α1), one beta-1 (β1), one delta (δ), and one epsilon (ε), with the ε subunit replacing the γ subunit in adult muscle ("fetal" and "adult" forms).[3][4] Upon binding of acetylcholine, the conformational change in the receptor opens its central pore, allowing sodium and potassium ions to cross the membrane, which triggers muscle contraction. The receptor is essential for normal neuromuscular function and is a major target for muscle relaxants (used in anesthesia and intensive care), as well as autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis.[3][4][5]

Other names

muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptoradult muscle nAChR(α1)_2β1δε receptoradult neuromuscular nAChR

Agonists bind and activate the receptor to open the ion channel, leading to depolarization (e.g., acetylcholine, nicotine). Antagonists block acetylcholine binding or channel opening (e.g., tubocurarine, pancuronium, α-bungarotoxin). Depolarizing blockers cause prolonged activation leading to desensitization (e.g., succinylcholine).