Terminal Schwann cells (TSCs) are key components of the mammalian neuromuscular junction (NMJ). How the TSCs sense the synaptic activity in physiological conditions remains unclear. We have taken advantage of the distinct localization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) at the NMJ to bring out the function of different ACh receptors (AChRs). AChE is clustered by the ...

In adult skeletal muscle, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) specifically accumulates at the neuromuscular junction, to allow neurotransmission. This clustering is paralleled by a compartmentalization of AChR genes expression to subsynaptic nuclei, which acquire a unique gene expression program and a specific morphology in response to neural cues. Our results demonstrate that neural ag...

When subjected to prolonged exposure to nicotinic agonists, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors undergo desensitization, resulting in an inactive receptor that does not allow for the passage of ions. The induction of desensitization of diverse nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in muscle, ganglia, or brain is likely to play important modulatory roles in synaptic transmission. Furthermore, ...

In the present study, we provide evidence that the a9 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) shares pharmacological properties with members of the Cys-loop family of receptors. Thus, the type A g-aminobutyric acid receptor antagonist bicuculline, the glycinergic antagonist strychnine, and the type 3 serotonin receptor antagonist ICS-205,930 block ACh-evoked currents in a9-injected Xenopus lae...

effects of venom from black scorpion androctonus crasicuda (ac) were determined on isolated chick biventer cervices nerve-muscle and mouse hemidiaphragm preparations using twitch tension method. the isolated nerves were stimulated by electrical stimulator and response to each stimulus was recorded. the venom mainly acted prejunctionally to facilitate neuromuscular activity due to an increase in...

Organophoshorous poisoning is a common cause of death in developing countries. These compounds inhibit acetylcholinesterase leading to accumulation acetylcholine, causing overstimulation nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Atropine oximes are the mainstay treatment. helps countering effects decreasing secretions. It also makes secretions thick, tenacious may obstruct airway. We observed five ca...

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex disorder affecting multiple neurotransmitters. In particular, the degenerative progression is associated with loss within the cholinergic systems. It should be anticipated that both muscarinic and nicotinic mechanisms are affected as cholinergic neurons are lost. This review focuses on the basic roles of neuronal nicotinic receptors, some subtypes of which decre...

Quercetin mainly exists in the skin of colored fruits and vegetables as one of flavonoids. Recent studies show that quercetin, like other flavonoids, has diverse pharmacological actions. However, relatively little is known about quercetin effects in the regulations of ligand-gated ion channels. In the previous reports, we have shown that quercetin regulates subsets of homomeric ligand-gated ion...

The stabilisation of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the neuromuscular junction depends on muscle activity and the cooperative action of myosin Va and protein kinase A (PKA) type I. To execute its function, PKA has to be present in a subsynaptic microdomain where it is enriched by anchoring proteins. Here, we show that the AChR-associated protein, rapsyn, interacts with PKA type I in C2C12 a...