The αM1 transmembrane segment of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor interacts strongly with model membranes

Abstract

The transmembrane domain of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) plays a role in the regulation of the activity of this important ligand-gated ion channel. The lipid composition of the host membrane affects conformational equilibria of the nAChR and several classes of inhibitors, most notably anaesthetics, interact directly or indirectly with the four transmembrane M-segments, M1-M4, of the nAChR subunits. It has proven difficult to gain insight into structure-function relationships of the M-segments in the context of the entire receptor and the biomembrane environment. However, model membrane systems are well suited to obtain detailed information about protein-lipid interactions. In..