title: Nicotinic ACh receptors in area postrema neurons of immature rat brain.
abstract: The electrophysiological properties of nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChR) were investigated in acutely dissociated area postrema (AP) neurons of the immature rat brain using the whole-cell patch-clamp recording method. ACh induced a transient inward current exhibiting a strong inward rectification. The ACh response was mimicked by nicotine and cytisine, and was inhibited by nAChR antagonists, but not by 10(-7) M atropine. Muscarinic AChR agonists did not induce any current. We confirmed the Ca2+ permeability of nAChR. These results indicate the presence of nAChR on AP neurons, and suggest that the activation of nAChR play important roles in cardiovascular functions in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan. ciliary@m.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sorimachi
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wakamori
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031608:Area Postrema / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic