The hair cell acetylcholine receptors: a synthesis.
In this article the evidence concerning the nature of the acetylcholine (ACh) receptors on hair cells is reviewed. A schematic organization of these receptors is offered, based on the evidence as follows. (1) There are two kinds of ACh receptors on hair cells: muscarinic-like and nicotinic-like. (2) The nicotinic-like receptor mediates a hyperpolarizing response to ACh and a consequent reduction in afferent firing. (3) The muscarinic-like receptors mediate both a depolarization and a hyperpolarization of hair cells. (4) The hyperpolarization results in a reduction in afferent firing and (5) the depolarization results in an increase in afferent firing.
Guth
P S
PS
Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Norris
C H
CH
D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000502:physiology; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000378:metabolism*; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000378:metabolism; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism
D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic