A new specific neuronal modulatory effect of nicotine: the functional cross talk between nicotinic and glutamate receptors

We here have addressed the topic of the cross-talk between receptors. We provide evidence supporting the colocalization and the functional interaction between nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and some glutamatergic receptors. The recruitment of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors dynamically and negatively modulates the function of both Nmethyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors throughout their selective internalization. The nicotinic control of NMDA and α-AMPA receptors is operative even at very low concentrations of nicotine. Nicotinic and glutamatergic receptors have been both implicated in important pathologies such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia. Thus, a more extensive and detailed knowledge of this new modulatory role of nicotine may eventually enable us to develop specific therapeutic interventions for these pathologies.