A new specific neuronal modulatory effect of nicotine: the functional cross talk between nicotinic and glutamate receptors

Abstract

We here have addressed the topic of the cross-talk between receptors. We provide evidence supporting the co-localization and the functional interaction between nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and some glutamatergic receptors. The recruitment of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors dynamically and negatively modulates the function of both N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and ?-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors throughout their selective internalization. This dynamic control by cholinergic nicotinic system of NMDA and ?-AMPA receptors is operative even at very low concentrations of nicotine. Nicotinic and glutamatergic receptors have been both implicated in important neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and anxiety. Thus, a more extensive and detailed knowledge of this new modulatory role of nicotine may eventually enable us to develop specific therapeutic interventions for these pathologies.