Trichuris suis oxantel-sensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (O-AChR)

The Trichuris suis oxantel-sensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (O-AChR) is a specialized ligand-gated ion channel located on the muscle cells of the pig whipworm (Martin et al., 2012, doi:10.1016/j.ijpddr.2012.01.002). It serves as a critical component of the parasite's neuromuscular system, mediating excitatory neurotransmission required for movement and attachment within the host's large intestine (Nejsum et al., 2014, doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0002745). This receptor is pharmacologically distinct from the levamisole-sensitive (L-type) and nicotine-sensitive (N-type) receptors found in other nematodes, showing a unique and high sensitivity to the anthelmintic drug oxantel (Hu et al., 2013, doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0002359). When targeted by agonists like oxantel, the O-AChR undergoes prolonged activation, causing an influx of cations that leads to spastic paralysis of the worm. Because Trichuris species are often naturally resistant to other major anthelmintic classes like levamisole, the O-AChR represents a vital therapeutic target for treating trichuriasis in both veterinary and human medicine (Keiser et al., 2013, doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0002109).

Other names

Oxantel-sensitive acetylcholine receptorO-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptorTrichuris suis nAChROxantel-sensitive receptor

Agonist-induced activation leading to persistent depolarization of nematode muscle cells, resulting in spastic paralysis and expulsion of the parasite from the host gastrointestinal tract.