Interactions of nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors have the same endogenous ligand ACh and are distributed together in many tissues, so it is reasonable to believe that there must be some interactions existed between them. The functions of muscarinic receptors in the tissues innervated by the parasympathetic cholinergic postfibers, can be modulated by the ganglionic nicotinic receptors through stimulating ACh release. In ganglia, the postsynaptic nicotinic receptor activities can be modulated by the presynaptic muscarinic and nicotinic autoreceptors through regulating ACh release. Moreover, The functions of muscarinic receptors can be changed by nicotinic receptor desensitization or blockade. The two types of receptor act on each other and keep in a varied homeostasis of cholinergic nervous system.