The role of palmitoylation in functional expression of nicotinic alpha7 receptors.

Neuronal alpha-bungarotoxin receptors (BgtRs) are nicotinic receptors that require as yet unidentified post-translational modifications to achieve functional expression. In this study, we examined the role of protein palmitoylation in BgtR expression. BgtR alpha7 subunits are highly palmitoylated in neurons from brain and other cells capable of BgtR expression, such as pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells.

Melatonin (an antioxidant) does not ameliorate alcohol-induced Purkinje cell loss in the developing cerebellum.

Background: One popular mechanism proposed to account for alcohol-induced brain damage is the generation of free radicals after alcohol exposure. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that administration of an antioxidant should reduce the severity of alcohol-induced brain damage. Recently, melatonin has been shown to be an effective free-radical scavenger.