title: Role of M1 receptor in the locomotion behavior of the African mole-rat (Cryptomys sp).
abstract: Studies exploring the endogenous mechanism that modulates locomotion in Cryptomys sp, a bathyergid of the subterranean hystricomorph African mole-rat species might contribute to the understanding of the interrelations between external variables and internal mechanisms that controls the diverse patterns of locomotion in mole-rats. It has been shown that environmental variables contribute to the inter-individual variations in the daily patterns of locomotion, however, it is not well known if endogenous mechanism such as M1 receptor that regulates locomotion in surface dwelling rodents could as well regulate locomotion in the subterranean dwelling rodent. The present study explores this issue in Cryptomys sp a subterranean African mole-rat species. Using both specific and non-specific antagonists and agonists of M1 receptor, we manipulated the centrally expressed M1 receptor activity and characterized the effects of such manipulations on locomotor activity of Cryptomys sp. Our results indicate that infusion of M1 receptor specific and non-specific antagonists into the left or right ventricle impaired translatory movements, resulting in the display of abnormal complex rotatory locomotion. Based on the findings of this study, we suggest that M1 receptor activity might be part of the endogenous mechanisms that regulate the locomotor activity of Cryptomys sp.
authors.affiliation: Center for Natural and Health Sciences, Science Department, Marywood University, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509, USA. tnathaniel@marywood.edu
authors.forename: Thomas I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Nathaniel
authors.forename: Francis E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Umesiri
authors.forename: Femi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Olajuyigbe
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019577:Mole Rats / Q000502:physiology*; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D043643:Receptor, Muscarinic M1 / Q000502:physiology*; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013830:Thiadiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018721:Muscarinic Agonists; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D011725:Pyridines; D043643:Receptor, Muscarinic M1; D013830:Thiadiazoles; C075257:xanomeline; D012601:Scopolamine