Presence of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in cat carotid body afferent system.
With immunocytochemical techniques using a monoclonal antibody for alpha7 subunits of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, we have found these subunits to be exclusively expressed in nerve fibers in the carotid body. Double-immunostaining showed that alpha7 subunit-positive nerve endings enveloped tyrosine hydroxylase-positive glomus cells. Some carotid sinus nerve fibers and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive petrosal ganglion neurons also expressed alpha7 subunits. These data support a role for acetylcholine in carotid body neurotransmission.
Shirahata
M
M
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. mshirahata@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
Ishizawa
Y
Y
Rudisill
M
M
Schofield
B
B
Fitzgerald
R S
RS
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002344:Carotid Body / Q000737:chemistry*; D002415:Cats; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000737:chemistry*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000032:analysis*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis
D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase