Members of the ligand-gated ion channel receptor family are characterized by their fast transmitting response to neurotransmitters. Two important members of this family are the nicotinic acetylcholine and glutamate receptors, both of which are composed of five homologous subunits forming a transmembrane aqueous pore. These transmembrane receptors change conformation in response to their cognate neurotransmitter. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are found at the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction and bind acetylcholine molecules, allowing ions to move through the pore. Glutamate receptors are found in the postsynaptic membrane of cells in the central nervous system. The activity that is generated at the synapse by the binding of acetylcholine is terminated by acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that rapidly hydrolyzes acetylcholine. AChRα7, also known as NACHRA7, CHRNA7-2 or CHRNA7, is a 502 amino acid multi-pass membrane protein existing as a homopentamer and interacts with RIC-3, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-associated protein.
