title: Drug receptors on single enteric neurons.
abstract: There are many substances contained within enteric nerves which excite or inhibit other nerves when these substances are applied to single neurons. The actions of these substances and of drugs which mimic these actions is to open or close membrane ion channels. The effects on membrane potential are dependent on the nature of the ions which pass through the channel and whether the channel is opened or closed. In the enteric nervous system, drugs can act at one of three broad classes of receptors: [1] those which are part of an ion channel complex and which open either cation channels or chloride channels, both of which result in membrane depolarization [2] those which open potassium channels resulting in hyperpolarization or [3] those which close potassium channels resulting in depolarization. Receptors which open potassium channels are coupled to the channel via a G-protein while receptors which close potassium channels are coupled to the channel, in some cases, via a cyclic AMP-dependent system while in other cases another second messenger system is involved.
authors: Vollum Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research, Oregon Health Sciences University Portland 97201.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Galligan
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: North
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000294:innervation*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000502:physiology*; D015290:Second Messenger Systems
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011955:Receptors, Drug