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Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes

Meaning

Acetylcholine receptor subtypes refer to the distinct classes of transmembrane proteins that bind the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), mediating its diverse physiological effects throughout the nervous system and periphery. These receptors are broadly categorized into two major families: nicotinic and muscarinic, each exhibiting unique structural features and signal transduction mechanisms. Understanding these subtypes is essential for clinical practice, as their selective targeting is the basis for many pharmaceutical interventions.