Molecular mechanisms of cross-inhibition between nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and P2X receptors in myenteric neurons and HEK-293 cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

P2X(2) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) mediate fast synaptic excitation in the enteric nervous system. P2X receptors and nAChRs are functionally linked. This study examined the mechanisms responsible for interactions between P2X2 and alpha3beta4subunit-containing nAChRs.

Methods

The function of P2X2 and alpha3beta4 nAChRs expressed by HEK-293 cells and guinea pig ileum myenteric neurons in culture was studied using whole-cell patch clamp techniques.

Key results

In HEK-293 cells expressing alpha3beta4 nAChRs and P2X2 receptors, co-application of ATP and acetylcholine caused inward currents that were 56 +/- 7% of the current that should occur if these channels functioned independently (P < 0.05, n = 9); we call this interaction cross-inhibition

SUBMITTER: Decker DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2911505 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature