Nicotine Bound to Its Receptors: New Structures for a Vexing Pathopharmacological Problem

The paper in this issue of Neuron (Gharpure et al., 2019), on the structure of nicotine bound to the α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, provides important information that helps to explain the patterns of nicotine ingestion. Let's elaborate. Despite the heavy metabolic cost, various plant species produce molecules that are toxic to nervous systems. In many cases, these toxins discourage invertebrate herbivores.