Ligand Binding Transmits Conformational Changes across the Membrane-Spanning Region to the Intracellular Side of the 5-HT_3 Serotonin Receptor

摘要

The serotonin-gated 5-HT_3 receptor (5-HT_3R) is a member of the Cys-loop receptor family,which includes the nicotinic ace-tylcholine,GABA_A,and glycine receptors.All these receptors open an ion channel upon binding a specific neurotransmitter and thereby mediate fast signal transduction across synapses in the nervous system.Besides their central roles in normal neuronal signaling,mutations in their genes cause severe neurological diseases such as epilepsy,hyperekplexia,and congenital myasthenia,to mention but a few.