The properties of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the cell line MCM1, derived from an SV40 T-antigen-induced atrial tumor in a transgenic mouse, were determined. Binding studies using the nonselective muscarinic antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, the M1-selective antagonist pirenzepine, and the M2-selective antagonist AFDX-116 indicate that the receptors have the pharmacological prop...

Cholinergic, muscarinic receptor agonists exhibit functional dopamine antagonism and muscarinic receptors have been suggested as possible future targets for the treatment of schizophrenia and drug abuse. The muscarinic ligand (5R,6R)-6-(3-butylthio-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (BuTAC) exhibits high affinity for muscarinic receptors with no or substantially less affinity for ...

TNF has a critical mediator role in inflammation and is an important therapeutic target. We recently discovered that TNF production is regulated by neural signals through the vagus nerve. Activation of this "cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway" inhibits the production of TNF and other cytokines and protects animals from the inflammatory damage caused by endotoxemia and severe sepsis. Here, we ...

The goals of the present study were: (1) to investigate the binding properties of (R)- and (S)-procyclidine and two achiral derivatives of muscarinic M1, M2 and M4 receptor subtypes and (2) to identify the interactions which allow these receptors to discriminate between the two stereoisomers. (R)-Procyclidine showed a higher affinity for human neuroblastoma NB-OK 1 muscarinic M1 and rat striatu...

The concept that acetylcholine is involved in the pathophysiologies of psychiatric disorders has existed since the 1950s. There is very strong evidence implicating a dysfunctional muscarinic system in schizophrenia, +with less information available for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The translation of this evidence into clinically viable treatments has been disappointing; hampe...

Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter whose effects are mediated by two classes of receptors. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are ion channels, whereas the muscarinic receptors belong to the large family of G protein coupled seven transmembrane helix receptors. Beyond its function in neuronal systems, it has become evident that acetylcholine also plays an important role in non-ne...

Muscarinic blocking drugs are compounds that selectively antagonize the responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and other parasympathomimetics that are mediated by activation of muscarinic receptors. These agents are also referred to as muscarinic antagonists, antimuscarinic drugs, and anticholinergics. The belladonna alkaloids, such as atropine, are the oldest known muscarinic blocking compounds, and...

Changes in synaptic strength mediated by ionotropic glutamate N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA) receptors is generally considered to be the molecular mechanism underlying memory and learning. NMDA receptors themselves are subject to regulation through signaling pathways that are activated by G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In this study we investigate the ability of NMDA receptors to regulate the...

A as the first chemical molecule to be established as a neurotransmitter, has attracted enduring interest from researchers over several decades. However, deciphering all of the physiological manifestations associated with actions of this molecule has been difficult, and many mysteries of cholinergic neurotransmission still remain to be resolved. Like many other neurotransmitters, the actions of...

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell-surface receptors that regulate neurotransmission, cardiovascular function, metabolic homeostasis, and many other physiological processes. Due to their central role in human physiology, these receptors are among the most important targets of therapeutic drugs, and are they among the most extensively studied integral membrane proteins. To better under...