Nicotine

Nicotine and acetylcholine both act at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Acetylcholine is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter used by many nerve cells in chemical signaling to their targets. Nicotine is a biologically active component of tobacco. The three-dimensional structure of these two molecules is not evident in two dimensions.

One face of the acetylcholine molecule has a structure that is mimicked by the structure of one face of nicotine. It is this face of each molecule that is recognized by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
 
Another face of acetylcholine has a structure that is mimicked by muscarine, a chemical obtained during processing of a particular type of mushroom. Acetylcholine and muscarine happen to act at other kinds of neurotransmitter receptors, called muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.  Muscarinic receptors have functions and structures quite distinct from those of nicotinic receptors. It is fascinating that nature has used one chemical, acetylcholine, for signaling at two strikingly different kinds of receptors.

> For more information about nicotine receptors, visit The Ligand Gated Ion Channel Database. [This website link is provided for your convenience only. Barrow Neurological Institute neither endorses nor is responsible for the content in any way.]

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Barrow Neurological Institute of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona