Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

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Amanita muscaria, the mushroom from which muscarine was isolated.
Acetylcholine - the natural agonist of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.
Muscarine - an agonist used to distinguish between these two classes of receptors. Not normally found in the body.
Atropine - an antagonist.

Muscarinic receptors, or mAChRs, are acetylcholine receptors that form G protein-receptor complexes in the cell membranes of certain neurons[1] and other cells. They play several roles, including acting as the main end-receptor stimulated by acetylcholine released from postganglionic fibers in the parasympathetic nervous system.

Muscarinic receptors were named as such because they are more sensitive to muscarine than to nicotine.[2] Their counterparts are nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), receptor ion channels that are also important in the autonomic nervous system. Many drugs and other substances (for example pilocarpine and scopolamine) manipulate these two distinct receptors by acting as selective agonists or antagonists.[3]


Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter found extensively in the brain and the autonomic ganglia. Muscarinic receptors are used in the following roles:

Recovery receptors[edit]

The structure of Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2

ACh is always used as the transmitter within the autonomic ganglion. Nicotinic receptors on the postganglionic neuron are responsible for the initial fast depolarization (Fast EPSP) of that neuron. As a consequence of this, nicotinic receptors are often cited as the receptor on the postganglionic neurons at the ganglion. However, the subsequent hyperpolarization (IPSP) and slow depolarization (Slow EPSP) that represent the recovery of the postganglionic neuron from stimulation are actually mediated by muscarinic receptors, types M2 and M1 respectively (discussed below).

Peripheral autonomic fibers (sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers) are categorized anatomically as either preganglionic or postganglionic fibers, then further generalized as either adrenergic fibers, with their corresponding adrenergic receptors, or cholinergic fibers, with their cholinergic receptors. Both preganglionic sympathetic fibers and preganglionic parasympathetic fibers are cholinergic. All postganglionic sympathetic fibers are adrenergic; their neurotransmitter is norepinephrine, except for the postganglionic sympathetic fibers to the sweat glands, piloerectile muscles of the body hairs, and the skeletal muscle arterioles.

The adrenal medulla is considered a sympathetic ganglion and, like other sympathetic ganglia, is supplied by cholinergic preganglionic sympathetic fibers; acetylcholine is its neurotransmitter. The other postganglionic fibers of the peripheral autonomic system belong to the parasympathetic division; all are cholinergic fibers, and use acetylcholine (ACh) as their neurotransmitter.

Postganglionic neurons[edit]

Another role for these receptors is at the junction of the innervated tissue and the postganglionic neuron in the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. Here acetylcholine is again used as a neurotransmitter, and muscarinic receptors form the principal receptors on the innervated tissue.

Innervated tissue[edit]

Very few parts of the sympathetic system use cholinergic receptors. In sweat glands the receptors are of the muscarinic type. The sympathetic nervous system also has some preganglionic nerves terminating at the chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla, which secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine into the bloodstream. Some believe that chromaffin cells are modified postganglionic CNS fibers. In the adrenal medulla, acetylcholine is used as a neurotransmitter, and the receptor is of the nicotinic type.

The somatic nervous system uses a nicotinic receptor to acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.

Higher central nervous system[edit]

Muscarinic acetylcholine are also present and distributed throughout the central nervous system, in post-synaptic and pre-synaptic positions. There is also some evidence for postsynaptic receptors on sympathetic neurons allowing the parasympathetic nervous system to inhibit sympathetic effects.

Presynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction[edit]

It's now known they also appear on the pre-synaptic membrane of somatic neurons in the neuro-muscular junction, where they are involved in the regulation of acetylcholine release.

Form of muscarinic receptors[edit]

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors belong to a class of metabotropic receptors that use G proteins as their signalling mechanism. In such receptors, the signaling molecule (the ligand) binds to a receptor that has seven transmembrane regions; in this case, the ligand is ACh. This receptor is bound to intracellular proteins, known as G proteins, which begin the information cascade within the cell.

By contrast, nicotinic receptors use a ligand-gated ion channel mechanism for signaling. In this case, binding of the ligands with the receptor causes an ion channel to open, permitting either one or more specific type(s) of ion (e.g., K+, Na+, Ca2+) to diffuse into or out of the cell.

Receptor isoforms[edit]


By the use of selective radioactively labeled agonist and antagonist substances, five subtypes of muscarinic receptors have been determined, named M1-M5 (using an upper case M and subscript number).[4] For example, the drug pirenzepine is a muscarinic antagonist (decreases the effect of ACh), which is much more potent at M1 receptors than it is at other subtypes. The acceptance of the various subtypes has proceeded in numerical order: therefore, sources that recognize only the M1/M2 distinction exist. More recent studies tend to recognize M3 and the most recent M4.

Genetic differences[edit]

Meanwhile, geneticists and molecular biologists have characterised five genes that appear to encode muscarinic receptors, named m1-m5 (lowercase m; no subscript number). The first four code for pharmacologic types M1-M4. The fifth, M5, corresponds to a subtype of receptor that had until recently not been detected pharmacologically. The receptors m1 and m2 were determined based upon partial sequencing of M1 and M2 receptor proteins. The others were found by searching for homology, using bioinformatic techniques.

Difference in G proteins[edit]

G proteins contain an alpha-subunit that is critical to the functioning of receptors. These subunits can take a number of forms. There are four broad classes of form of G-protein: Gs, Gi, Gq, and G12/13.[5] Muscarinic receptors vary in the G protein to which they are bound, with some correlation according to receptor type. G proteins are also classified according to their susceptibility to cholera toxin (CTX) and pertussis toxin (PTX, whooping cough). Gs and some subtypes of Gi (Gαt and Gαg) are susceptible to CTX. Only Gi is susceptible to PTX, with the exception of one subtype of Gi (Gαz) which is immune. Also, only when bound with an agonist, those G proteins normally sensitive to PTX also become susceptible to CTX.[6]

The various G-protein subunits act differently upon secondary messengers, upregulating Phospholipases, downregulating cAMP, and so on.

Because of the strong correlations to muscarinic receptor type, CTX and PTX are useful experimental tools in investigating these receptors.

Comparison of types
Type Gene Function PTX CTX Effectors Agonists[7] Antagonists[7]
M1 CHRM1 no
Slow EPSP.
K+ conductance[8][9]
M2 CHRM2 yes no Gi
K+ conductance[8]
Ca2+ conductance[8]
M3 CHRM3 no no Gq
  • Activation of M4 causes decreased locomotion[8]
  • In CNS
yes  ? Gi
K+ conductance[8]
Ca2+ conductance[8]
M5 CHRM5 no  ? Gq

M1 receptor[edit]

This receptor is found mediating slow EPSP at the ganglion in the postganglionic nerve,[12] is common in exocrine glands and in the CNS.[13][14]

It is predominantly found bound to G proteins of class Gq,[15] which use upregulation of phospholipase C and, therefore, inositol trisphosphate and intracellular calcium as a signaling pathway. A receptor so bound would not be susceptible to CTX or PTX. However, Gi (causing a downstream decrease in cAMP) and Gs (causing an increase in cAMP) have also been shown to be involved in interactions in certain tissues, and so would be susceptible to PTX and CTX, respectively.

M2 receptor[edit]

The M2 muscarinic receptors are located in the heart, where they act to slow the heart rate down to normal sinus rhythm after stimulatory actions of the parasympathetic nervous system, by slowing the speed of depolarization. They also reduce contractile forces of the atrial cardiac muscle, and reduce conduction velocity of the atrioventricular node (AV node). It also serves to slightly decrease the contractile forces of the ventricular muscle.

M2 muscarinic receptors act via a Gi type receptor, which causes a decrease in cAMP in the cell, inhibition of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, and increasing efflux of K+, in general, leading to inhibitory-type effects.

M3 receptor[edit]

The M3 muscarinic receptors are located at many places in the body. They are located in the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, as well as in the lungs. Because the M3 receptor is Gq-coupled and mediates an increase in intracellular calcium, it typically causes contraction of smooth muscle, such as that observed during bronchoconstriction. However, with respect to vasculature, activation of M3 on vascular endothelial cells causes increased synthesis of nitric oxide, which diffuses to adjacent vascular smooth muscle cells and causes their relaxation, thereby explaining the paradoxical effect of parasympathomimetics on vascular tone and bronchiolar tone. Indeed, direct stimulation of vascular smooth muscle, M3 mediates vasconstriction in pathologies wherein the vascular endothelium is disrupted.[16] The M3 receptors are also located in many glands, which help to stimulate secretion in, for example, the salivary glands, as well as other glands of the body.

Like the M1 muscarinic receptor, M3 receptors are G proteins of class Gq that upregulate phospholipase C and, therefore, inositol trisphosphate and intracellular calcium as a signaling pathway.

M4 receptor[edit]

M4 receptors are found in the CNS.

Receptors work via Gi receptors to decrease cAMP in the cell and, thus, produce generally inhibitory effects. Possible bronchospasm may result if stimulated by muscarinic agonists

M5 receptor[edit]

Location of M5 receptors is not well known.

Like the M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor, M5 receptors are coupled with G proteins of class Gq that upregulate phospholipase C and, therefore, inositol trisphosphate and intracellular calcium as a signaling pathway.

Pharmacological application[edit]

Ligands targeting the mAChR that are currently approved for clinical use include non-selective antagonists for the treatment of Parkinson's disease,[17] atropine (to dilate the pupil), Scopolamine (used to prevent motion sickness), and ipratropium (used in the treatment of COPD).[3]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Eglen RM (July 2006). "Muscarinic receptor subtypes in neuronal and non-neuronal cholinergic function". Auton Autacoid Pharmacol 26 (3): 219–33. doi:10.1111/j.1474-8673.2006.00368.x. PMID 16879488. 
  2. ^ Ishii M, Kurachi Y (2006). "Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors". Curr. Pharm. Des. 12 (28): 3573–81. doi:10.2174/138161206778522056. PMID 17073660. 
  3. ^ a b Purves, Dale, George J. Augustine, David Fitzpatrick, William C. Hall, Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, James O. McNamara, and Leonard E. White (2008). Neuroscience. 4th ed. Sinauer Associates. pp. 122–6. ISBN 978-0-87893-697-7. 
  4. ^ Caulfield MP, Birdsall NJ (1 June 1998). "International Union of Pharmacology. XVII. Classification of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors". Pharmacol. Rev. 50 (2): 279–90. PMID 9647869. 
  5. ^ Simon MI, Strathmann MP, Gautam N (1991). "Diversity of G proteins in signal transduction". Science 252 (5007): 802–8. doi:10.1126/science.1902986. PMID 1902986. 
  6. ^ Dell'Acqua ML, Carroll RC, Peralta EG (15 March 1993). "Transfected m2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors couple to G alpha i2 and G alpha i3 in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Activation and desensitization of the phospholipase C signaling pathway". J. Biol. Chem. 268 (8): 5676–85. PMID 8449930. 
  7. ^ a b Tripathi KD (2004). Essentials of Medical Pharmacology (5th ed.). India: Jaypee Brothers, Medical Publishers. pp. 890 pages. ISBN 81-8061-187-6.  if nothing else mentioned in table
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM, Moore PK (2003). "Ch. 10". Pharmacology (5th ed.). Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. p. 139. ISBN 0-443-07145-4. 
  9. ^ Uchimura N, North RA (1990). "Muscarine reduces inwardly rectifying potassium conductance in rat nucleus accumbens neurones". J. Physiol. (Lond.) 422 (1): 369–80. PMC 1190137. PMID 1693682. 
  10. ^ a b c Edwards Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Belcher Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (May 2010). DailyMed. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved January 13, 2013. 
  11. ^ Melchiorre, Carlo; Angeli, Piero; Lambrecht, Günter; Mutschler, Ernst; Picchio, Maria T.; Wess, Jürgen (December 1987). "Antimuscarinic action of methoctramine, a new cardioselective M-2 muscarinic receptor antagonist, alone and in combination with atropine and gallamine". European Journal of Pharmacology 144 (2): 117–124. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(87)90509-7. PMID 3436364. 
  12. ^ Messer, Jr, WS (2000-01-20). "Acetylcholine". University of Toledo. Retrieved 2007-10-27. 
  13. ^ Johnson, Gordon (2002). PDQ Pharmacology (2nd ed.). Hamilton, Ontario: BC Decker Inc. pp. 311 pages. ISBN 1-55009-109-3. 
  14. ^ Richelson, Elliott (2000). "Cholinergic Transduction, Psychopharmacology - The Fourth Generation of Progress". American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Retrieved 2007-10-27. 
  15. ^ Burford NT, Nahorski SR (1996). "Muscarinic M1 receptor-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in Chinese hamster ovary cells is mediated by Gs alpha and is not a consequence of phosphoinositidase C activation". Biochem. J. 315 (3): 883–8. PMC 1217289. PMID 8645172. 
  16. ^ Keith Parker; Laurence Brunton; Goodman, Louis Sanford; Lazo, John S.; Gilman, Alfred (2006). Goodman & Gilman's the pharmacological basis of therapeutics (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. p. 185. ISBN 0-07-142280-3. 
  17. ^ Langmead CJ, Watson J, Reavill C (February 2008). "Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors as CNS drug targets". Pharmacol. Ther. 117 (2): 232–43. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2007.09.009. PMID 18082893. 

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