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.
Eyzaguirre
Carlos
C
Department of Physiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Research Park, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1297, USA. cee3@utah.edu
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