The expansion and pruning of ion channel families has played a crucial role in the evolution
of nervous systems. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion …

The α 9 α 10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) was first identified in the auditory
system, where it mediates synaptic transmission between efferent olivocochlear cholinergic …

The affinity of α-conotoxins, a class of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) peptide
inhibitors, can be enhanced by dendrimerization. It has been hypothesized that this …

Overview This review considers the “tween twixt and twain” of hair cell physiology,
specifically the signaling elements and membrane conductances which underpin forward …

A specimen of the marine cone snail Conus victoriae collected from a beach in Broome,
Western Australia, by a group from The University of Melbourne led to the discovery of the α …

Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter described. The receptors targeted by
acetylcholine are found within organisms spanning different phyla and position themselves …

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can be assembled from either homomeric or heteromeric
pentameric subunit combinations. At the interface of the extracellular domains of adjacent …

It is critical for hearing that the descending cochlear efferent system provides a negative
feedback to hair cells to regulate hearing sensitivity and protect hearing from noise. The …

Nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) are the best studied members of the superfamily of
pentameric ligand‐gated ion channels (pLGICs). Neuronal nAChRs regulate neuronal …

Cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) release neurotransmitter onto afferent auditory nerve fibers
in response to sound stimulation. Normal development and function of inner hair cells …