Neuronal‐type nicotinic receptors in human neuroblastoma and small‐cell lung carcinoma cell lines

Abstract

A β subunit of the neuronal nicotinic receptor, sharing 88% homology with the rat β4 subunit, has been cloned from a human neuroblastoma cell line. The gene encoding the human β4 subunit is expressed in association with the α3 gene in neuroblastoma and small-cell lung carcinoma cell lines. Patch-clamp experiments and radioligand binding assays confirm that these neuroendocrine tumor cell lines express functional neuronal nicotinic receptors. We suggest that these receptors might play a crucial role in the control of neurotransmitter and hormone secretion from neurosecretory human tumors