Chemical and electric transmission in the carotid body chemoreceptor complex.
Carotid body chemoreceptors are complex secondary receptors. There are chemical and electric connections between glomus cells (GC/GC) and between glomus cells and carotid nerve endings (GC/NE). Chemical secretion of glomus cells is accompanied by GC/GC uncoupling. Chemical GC/NE transmission is facilitated by concomitant electric coupling. Chronic hypoxia reduces GC/GC coupling but increases G/NE coupling. Therefore, carotid body chemoreceptors use chemical and electric transmission mechanisms to trigger and change the sensory discharge in the carotid nerve.
Department of Physiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Research Park, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1297, USA. cee3@utah.edu
Carlos
C
Eyzaguirre
D000818:Animals; D002344:Carotid Body / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents