Structural characterization and agonist binding to human α4β2 nicotinic receptors

The Cys-loop receptor super-family of neurotransmitter-gated ion channels mediates fast synaptic transmission throughout the human nervous system. These receptors exhibit widely varying pharmacologies, yet their structural characterization has relied heavily on their homology with the naturally abundant muscle-type Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Here we examine for the first time the structure of a human α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. We show that human α4β2 nicotinic receptors adopt a secondary/tertiary fold similar to that of the Torpedo nicotinic receptor with a large proportion of both α-helix and β-sheet, but exhibit a substantially increased thermal stability. Both receptors bind agonist, but with different patterns of agonist recognition – particularly in the nature of the interactions between aromatic residues and the agonist quaternary amine functional group. By comparing α4β2 and Torpedo receptors, we begin to delineate their structural similarities and differences.

► First direct structural characterization of a human nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. ► Neuronal α4β2 and Torpedo nAChRs adopt the same secondary/tertiary fold. ► Different patterns of agonist recognition in α4β2 versus Torpedo nAChRs. ► Local environment of TrpB differs in α4β2 versus Torpedo nAChRs. ► Tyr–carbamylcholine interactions are weaker in α4β2 versus Torpedo nAChRs.