The characterization of α-bungarotoxin receptors on the surface of parasympathetic neurons in the frog heart

• Published in: Brain research 1995-05, Vol.680 (1), p.99-107
• Main Authors: Sargent, Peter B., Garrett, Evelyn N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcholine receptor; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Bungarotoxins - metabolism; Cardiac ganglion; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart Conduction System - cytology; Heart Conduction System - metabolism; Neuronal bungarotoxin; Neurons - metabolism; Parasympathetic Nervous System - cytology; Parasympathetic Nervous System - metabolism; Parasympathetic neuron; Peripheral nervous system. Autonomic nervous system. Neuromuscular transmission. Ganglionic transmission. Electric organ; Rana; Rana pipiens; Receptors, Nicotinic - metabolism; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; α-Bungarotoxin
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(95)00250-T

Receptors for α-bungarotoxin are found on the surface of parasympathetic neurons in the frog cardiac ganglion by light microscopic autoradiography. Competition studies suggest that these receptors are cholinergic and indicate that they are also recognized by neuronal bungarotoxin (κ-bungarotoxin). These receptors are outnumbered by those recognized exclusively by neuronal bungarotoxin. Unlike neuronal bungarotoxin receptors, α-bungarotoxin receptors are not concentrated at synaptic sites. Fluorescence techniques fail to find evidence for clusters of α-bungarotoxin receptors anywhere on the neuronal surface. The possible function of these receptors, which apparently do not play a role in fast synaptic transmission, is discussed.