title: The interaction of kappa-bungarotoxin with the nicotinic receptor of bovine chromaffin cells.
abstract: Whole-cell recording techniques were used to examine acetylcholine-induced nicotinic currents in isolated bovine chromaffin cells. The effects on these currents of kappa-bungarotoxin, a snake venom kappa-neurotoxin, were tested. Exposure of cells to kappa-bungarotoxin (600 nM for 40 min) produced a prolonged blockade of nicotinic currents. The mechanism of this blockade was examined in several ways. Firstly, the pre-exposure of cells to trimetaphan, a competitive nicotinic antagonist, protected against the action of subsequent additions of kappa-bungarotoxin. Secondly, voltage-clamp measurements indicated that the degree of blockade produced by kappa-bungarotoxin was independent of cell membrane potential. Unlike (+)-tubocurarine, kappa-bungarotoxin had no direct agonist effects on nicotinic receptors. It is concluded from the present functional studies and from previously reported binding studies that kappa-bungarotoxin blocks nicotinic responses in bovine chromaffin cells by binding to regions overlying acetylcholine sites on nicotinic receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, U.K.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nooney
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Chiappinelli
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004759:Enterochromaffin Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D014294:Trimethaphan / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002038:Bungarotoxins; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D014294:Trimethaphan; D000109:Acetylcholine