Abstract
The α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is widely known as a neurotransmitter receptor in nervous systems. α7-nAChR is also present in a variety of non-neuronal tissues, where it has been implicated in the regulation of essential cellular functions including proliferation, survival, differentiation and communication. We have recently found in breast cancer that α7-nAChR is involved in the proliferation of cancer stem cells, which constitute a minor subpopulation responsible for tumor development and metastasis. Since growing evidence suggests that α7-nAChR is present not only in mature tissues and organs but also in undifferentiated stem cells and progenitor cells, α7-nAChR emerges as a key mediator in the regulation of self-renewal and differentiation. We provide here an overview of the recent works on the expression and function of α7-nAChR in normal and cancer stem cells, and their relevance to disease-related cellular dysfunction. Understanding the role of α7-nAChR in stem cells would be of great interest for its application potential in drug discovery and in regenerative medicine.
Keywords: α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, breast cancer, cancer stem cell, nicotine, stem cells, neurotransmitter, HSC, protein kinase C, chemotherapies, cholinergic system
Current Drug Targets
Title:Role of α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor in Normal and Cancer Stem Cells
Volume: 13 Issue: 5
Author(s): Waka Lin, Naoya Hirata, Yuko Sekino and Yasunari Kanda
Affiliation:
Keywords: α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, breast cancer, cancer stem cell, nicotine, stem cells, neurotransmitter, HSC, protein kinase C, chemotherapies, cholinergic system
Abstract: The α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is widely known as a neurotransmitter receptor in nervous systems. α7-nAChR is also present in a variety of non-neuronal tissues, where it has been implicated in the regulation of essential cellular functions including proliferation, survival, differentiation and communication. We have recently found in breast cancer that α7-nAChR is involved in the proliferation of cancer stem cells, which constitute a minor subpopulation responsible for tumor development and metastasis. Since growing evidence suggests that α7-nAChR is present not only in mature tissues and organs but also in undifferentiated stem cells and progenitor cells, α7-nAChR emerges as a key mediator in the regulation of self-renewal and differentiation. We provide here an overview of the recent works on the expression and function of α7-nAChR in normal and cancer stem cells, and their relevance to disease-related cellular dysfunction. Understanding the role of α7-nAChR in stem cells would be of great interest for its application potential in drug discovery and in regenerative medicine.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Waka Lin, Naoya Hirata, Yuko Sekino and Yasunari Kanda , Role of α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor in Normal and Cancer Stem Cells , Current Drug Targets 2012; 13 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450111209050656
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450111209050656 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New drug therapy for eye diseases
Eyesight is one of the most critical senses, accounting for over 80% of our perceptions. Our quality of life might be significantly affected by eye disease, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, etc. Although the development of microinvasive ocular surgery reduces surgical complications and improves overall outcomes, medication therapy is ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
The Association between Tumor-associated Macrophages and Glioblastoma: A Potential Target for Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Targeted Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viruses for Aggressive Cancers
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology MicroRNA-Mediated Cancer Metastasis Regulation via Heterotypic Signals in the Microenvironment
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Developmental Expression of the Translocator Protein 18 kDa (TSPO) in Testicular Germ Cells
Current Molecular Medicine Clinical Importance and Potential Use of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Focal Adhesion Kinase
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Therapeutic Application of Intrabodies Against Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Experimental Approaches to Identify Selective Picomolar Inhibitors for Carbonic Anhydrase IX
Current Medicinal Chemistry Epigenetic Regulation in Particulate Matter-Mediated Cardiopulmonary Toxicities: A Systems Biology Perspective
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Anti-Inflammatory Treatments for Chronic Diseases: A Review
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Emerging Concepts on Inhibitors of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase in Rheumatic Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Patent Selections :
Recent Patents on Biomarkers Micro-/Nano-Scale Biointerfaces, Mechanical Coupling and Cancer Therapy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Human Multidrug Transporter ABCG2, a Target for Sensitizing Drug Resistance in Cancer Chemotherapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Editorial (Thematic Issue: Revisiting the Revolution: Examining the Evolving Role of Antiangiogenic Therapy in Cancer)
Current Drug Targets An Overview of Current Applications of Nanotechnology in Biomedical Research: A Patent Survey
Recent Patents on Nanomedicine Inhibitors of the Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 as Alternative to Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) – A Critical Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry Curcumin: A Dietary Phytochemical for Targeting the Phenotype and Function of Dendritic Cells
Current Medicinal Chemistry Poly(ADP-Ribosylation): Beneficial Effects of Its Inhibition
Current Enzyme Inhibition Contrast Enhanced Sonography for Diagnosis of (Peri-) Splenic Pathology
Current Medical Imaging The Stress Response: Implications for the Clinical Development of Hsp90 Inhibitors
Current Cancer Drug Targets