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Response of acetylcholine receptors to rapid photochemically produced increases in agonist concentration

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Abstract

SYNAPTIC transmission to muscle fibres and electroplaques takes place on a millisecond timescale. To study the molecular events leading to activation of the cholinergic receptor channel, we have developed a method to produce similarly rapid, spatially uniform steps of agonist concentration near intact postsynaptic membranes. Electrophorus electroplaques in a voltage-clamp apparatus were exposed to a solution containing a photochromic compound. Initially the compound was in a predominantly cis form, which had little effect on the membrane. During a brief light flash, some of the compound was isomerised to the trans isomer, which is a cholinergic agonist. As a result the membrane conductance increased along a timecourse which reflects the rate processes underlying activation of the cholinergic receptor channel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125

    HENRY A. LESTER

  2. Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10032

    HAI WON CHANG

Authors
  1. HENRY A. LESTER
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  2. HAI WON CHANG
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LESTER, H., WON CHANG, H. Response of acetylcholine receptors to rapid photochemically produced increases in agonist concentration. Nature 266, 373–374 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/266373a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/266373a0

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