Kappa-bungarotoxin: an intracellular study demonstrating blockade of neuronal nicotinic receptors by a snake neurotoxin.
Pressure injection of carbachol elicited dose-dependent depolarizations of the principal ganglionic neurons in embryonic chick ciliary ganglia. These depolarizations were associated with a marked decrease in input resistance. Carbachol-induced depolarizations were completely and reversibly antagonized by the snake neurotoxin Kappa-bungarotoxin but not by alpha-bungarotoxin. Kappa-bungarotoxin, therefore, appears to be a specific probe for the postsynaptic neuronal nicotinic receptor in the avian ciliary ganglion.
D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005726:Ganglia, Parasympathetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*
D002038:Bungarotoxins; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D002217:Carbachol