Ruthenium red reduces acetylcholine sensitivity and increases desensitization at the frog neuromuscular junction.
The actions of Ruthenium Red on the synaptic membrane were studied at the neuromuscular junction of the frog Rana pipiens. Ruthenium Red blocks mitochondrial calcium transport and thus is expected to elevate the intracellular calcium level [Alnaes and Rahamimoff (1975) J. Physiol., Lond. 248, 285-306]. The postjunctional membrane sensitivity was reduced by Ruthenium Red as determined by (a) the amplitude of the miniature endplate potentials, (b) iontophoretic application of carbachol, (c) microperfusion of carbachol. Desensitization was assayed by measuring the decline in the amplitude of the postsynaptic depolarization produced during repetitive iontophoretic application of carbachol. Following Ruthenium Red treatment desensitization was increased. This action of Ruthenium Red was enhanced by raising the extracellular calcium concentration from 1.8 to 10 mM.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology*; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009045:Motor Endplate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011894:Rana pipiens; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012430:Ruthenium Red / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014403:Tubocurarine / Q000494:pharmacology
D012430:Ruthenium Red; D012428:Ruthenium; D002217:Carbachol; D000109:Acetylcholine; D002118:Calcium; D014403:Tubocurarine