MOLECULAR MECHANISMS FOR THE REGULATION OF THE EXPRESSION AND FUNCTION OF MUSCARINIC ACETYLCHOLINE-RECEPTORS

The regulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor expression and fun ction was investigated in cultured cells and in knockout mice. Muscari nic agonist exposure causes m2 receptor desensitization and sequestrat ion and decreases the expression of cardiac potassium channels. The ex pression of m2 receptors in chick retina is regulated by a development ally regulated secreted factor. Mice lacking the mi receptor exhibit a loss of muscarinic regulation of M-current potassium channel activity and pilocarpine-induced seizures. ((C)Elsevier, Paris).