Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit ACR-16-like (Tmu-ACR-16-like)

Tmu-ACR-16-like is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit identified in the mouse whipworm, Trichuris muris, which serves as a laboratory model for the human parasite Trichuris trichiura [2, 3]. This subunit assembles into a functional homomeric ion channel, often referred to as the oxantel-sensitive acetylcholine receptor (O-AChR), which plays a vital role in the parasite's neuromuscular transmission and motility [5, 7]. It is a primary therapeutic target for the anthelmintic drug oxantel, which acts as a potent agonist, leading to persistent depolarization, muscle contraction, and eventual paralysis of the worm [2, 5]. Notably, Tmu-ACR-16-like displays a distinct pharmacological profile compared to other nematode nAChRs, as it is highly sensitive to oxantel and epibatidine but notably insensitive to pyrantel [2, 7]. Research into this receptor provides critical insights into the species-specific drug responses of whipworms and aids in the optimization of treatments for soil-transmitted helminthiasis [3, 6].

Other names

O-AChROxantel-sensitive acetylcholine receptorACR-16-like proteinAlpha-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit ACR-16-like

Agonist