TY - JOUR
T1 - Role of acetylcholine in neurotransmission of the carotid body
AU - Shirahata, Machiko
AU - Balbir, Alexander
AU - Otsubo, Toshiki
AU - Fitzgerald, Robert S.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by NIH grants HL72293, HL50712, and American Heart Association 0255358N. Alexander Balbir is supported by T32-HL07534.
PY - 2007/7/1
Y1 - 2007/7/1
N2 - Acetylcholine (ACh) has been considered an important excitatory neurotransmitter in the carotid body (CB). Its physiological and pharmacological effects, metabolism, release, and receptors have been well documented in several species. Various nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors are present in both afferent nerve endings and glomus cells. Therefore, ACh can depolarize or hyperpolarize the cell membrane depending on the available receptor type in the vicinity. Binding of ACh to its receptor can create a wide variety of cellular responses including opening cation channels (nicotinic ACh receptor activation), releasing Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites (via muscarinic ACh receptors), and modulating activities of K+ and Ca2+ channels. Interactions between ACh and other neurotransmitters (dopamine, adenosine, nitric oxide) have been known, and they may induce complicated responses. Cholinergic biology in the CB differs among species and even within the same species due to different genetic composition. Development and environment influence cholinergic biology. We discuss these issues in light of current knowledge of neuroscience.
AB - Acetylcholine (ACh) has been considered an important excitatory neurotransmitter in the carotid body (CB). Its physiological and pharmacological effects, metabolism, release, and receptors have been well documented in several species. Various nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors are present in both afferent nerve endings and glomus cells. Therefore, ACh can depolarize or hyperpolarize the cell membrane depending on the available receptor type in the vicinity. Binding of ACh to its receptor can create a wide variety of cellular responses including opening cation channels (nicotinic ACh receptor activation), releasing Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites (via muscarinic ACh receptors), and modulating activities of K+ and Ca2+ channels. Interactions between ACh and other neurotransmitters (dopamine, adenosine, nitric oxide) have been known, and they may induce complicated responses. Cholinergic biology in the CB differs among species and even within the same species due to different genetic composition. Development and environment influence cholinergic biology. We discuss these issues in light of current knowledge of neuroscience.
KW - Channel
KW - Muscarinic
KW - Neurotransmitter
KW - Nicotinic
KW - Receptor
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U2 - 10.1016/j.resp.2006.12.010
DO - 10.1016/j.resp.2006.12.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 17284361
AN - SCOPUS:34247231060
SN - 1569-9048
VL - 157
SP - 93
EP - 105
JO - Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology
JF - Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology
IS - 1
ER -