Mechanisms of nanobody modulation of a pentameric channel-receptor

DRA lecture held by Marie Prevost, Channel-Receptors Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are essential pentameric-channel receptors in the nervous system. They bind neurotransmitters at the synapse, triggering the opening of their ion channel, in turn generating neuronal electrical response. The conformational changes associated with their activity are precisely regulated according to the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model and are highly sensitive to pharmacological ligands, such as anaesthetics, nicotine, alcohol and even small proteins.

I will present an example of such modulation with our recent work, where we investigated by cryo-electron microscopy the potentiation mechanism of the human alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by nanobodies. This structure-function analysis provides new pharmacological insights on the modulation of those receptors.

Marie Prevost will join via Zoom. It will also be possible for you to join via this link:

https://ucph-ku.zoom.us/j/65309326652?pwd=ZVlKY2EwdmtDNnhyM1pyMndNOU9KZz09

The lecture is organised on behalf of the graduate programme in pharmaceutical sciences, Drug Research Academy, by Professor Stephan Pless and Professor Jette Sandholm Kastrup, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

The DRA lecture is free of charge and open for attendance by all interested parties. It is not necessary to pre-register.