A study of the effects of p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonic acid on acetylcholine-induced responses of molluscan neurons.
The effects of the organic mercurial p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonic acid (PCMBS) on the acetylcholine receptors of two types of neurons from the marine gastropod Anisodoris nobilis were studied. Cell types were distinguished by the ion-specific conductance change resulting from applied cholinergic agents: in certain cells a conductance increase to Cl resulted (Cl-neurons); in other cells a cation conductance increase resulted (D cells). Exposure of the Cl-neurons to 1 mM PCMBS at 4 degrees C had two distinct effects: 1) the sensitivity of the membrane conductance to microelectrophoretically applied carbamylcholine was blocked in a few minutes; and 2) the membrane conductance slowly increased with an inversion potential which was the same as that of the cholinergically induced response. d-Turbocurarine did not appreciably reduce this conductance increase. However, applying carbamylcholine during the exposure period to PCMBS reduced the PCMBS response. The cholinergic response of D cells was affected to a much lesser degree by PCMBS.
D002731:4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008974:Mollusca / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014403:Tubocurarine / Q000494:pharmacology
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D002731:4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate; D002217:Carbachol; D000109:Acetylcholine; D014403:Tubocurarine