Lateral Mobility of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors on Neurons Is Determined by Receptor Composition, Local Domain, and Cell Type

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.6236-09.2010
• Publication Date: 2010-07-23T15:33:58Z
• Authors: C. C. Fernandes; D. K. Berg; D. Gomez-Varela
• Keywords: Ciliary ganglion; PDZ domain

The lateral mobility of surface receptors can define the signaling properties a synapse and rapidly change synaptic function. Here we use single-particle tracking with Quantum Dots to follow nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChRs) on chick ciliary ganglion neurons in culture. We find that both heteropentameric α3-containing (α3*-nAChRs) homopentameric α7-containing (α7-nAChRs) access domains by diffusion. They have comparable mobilities display Brownian motion extrasynaptic space but are constrained move more slowly space. two receptor types differ nature their restraints. Disruption lipid rafts, PDZ-containing scaffolds, actin filaments each increase α7-nAChRs while collapse microtubules has no effect. opposite is seen for α3*-nAChRs where increased only microtubule not other manipulations. Other differences found regulation α3*-nAChR α7-nAChR Most striking effects immobile populations α3*-nAChRs. either rafts or PDZ scaffolds renders half mobile without changing proportion α7-nAChRs. Similar results were obtained sympathetic neurons, though differed at least one respect from neurons. Control nAChR mobility, therefore, determined mechanisms domain specific, subtype dependent, cell-type constrained. outcome system could tailor capabilities specific needs individual locations.