PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Gerzanich, V AU - Anand, R AU - Lindstrom, J TI - Homomers of alpha 8 and alpha 7 subunits of nicotinic receptors exhibit similar channel but contrasting binding site properties. DP - 1994 Feb 01 TA - Molecular Pharmacology PG - 212--220 VI - 45 IP - 2 4099 - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/45/2/212.short 4100 - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/45/2/212.full SO - Mol Pharmacol1994 Feb 01; 45 AB - alpha 8 subunits of alpha-bungarotoxin-sensitive chick neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes from cRNA are shown to form homomeric, acetylcholine-gated, rapidly desensitizing, inwardly rectifying, Ca(2+)-permeable cation channels similar to those of alpha 7 homomers. alpha 8 forms oligomers of several sizes, of which < 14% are expressed on the oocyte surface, which is less efficient than for alpha 7 homomers. alpha 8 homomers are more sensitive to agonists but less sensitive to antagonists than are alpha 7 homomers, and some agonists for alpha 8 homomers are partial agonists or antagonists for alpha 7 homomers. The pharmacological properties of homomers of alpha 8 and alpha 7 subunits generally reflect those of native alpha 8 and alpha 7 receptors.