Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Assays

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in peripheral tissues are localized almost exclusively to autonomic nerves and the motor end plates of striated musculature. Pharmacologic analyses of nicotinic receptor antagonist potencies can be conducted by assessing the ability of these compounds to inhibit responses elicited by preganglionic autonomic nerve stimulation or stimulation of the motor nerves innervating striated muscle in isolated tissue preparations. In addition, in some isolated tissues innervated by autonomic nerves, nicotinic receptor mediated responses can be elicited by exogenously administered agonists, and the effects of antagonists on these responses can be assessed using pharmacologic analyses. This unit describes the guinea pig trachea/esophagus preparation, in which nicotinic receptor pharmacology can be studied at synapses of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system and the striated musculature of the esophagus. In addition, a preparation whereby the nicotinic receptors of the striated musculature of the diaphragm can be studied is described as are techniques for studying exogenous nicotinic agonistmediated effects in two smooth muscle preparations.Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in peripheral tissues are localized almost exclusively to autonomic nerves.