Localization of the acetylcholine receptors in denervated muscles of rats.
ACh contractures of denervated lumbricalis muscles of rats were washed in Tris-methanesulfonate solutions and in sucrose solutions. The peak tension was diminished by about 80% following a 30 min exposure to solutions containing 400-600 mM glycerol when Tris solutions were used in the testing period, and by about 50% when sucrose solutions were used. The amplitude of the membrane potential changes provoked by ACh was decreased by about 36% following the glycerol treatment. The treatment had no effect on the ACh-induced 45Ca uptake of muscles. Electron microscopy of the glycerol-treated muscles showed widespread vacuolization apparently originating from swelling and disruption of the T system. It was concluded that ACh receptors which arise in the muscle membrane following nerve section are distributed in the external surface membrane and in the membranes of the T system.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009121:Muscle Denervation; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic
D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D000109:Acetylcholine; D005990:Glycerol; D002118:Calcium