乙酰胆碱对培养T细胞功能的作用

本文研究不同浓度（１０＾－１０－１０＾－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）乙酰胆碱（ＡＣｈ）对离体培养的大鼠脾脏Ｔ淋巴细胞增殖的影响,并探讨其作用机制。实验结果表明：１０＾－９－１０＾－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ可显著增强Ｔ细胞由刀豆素Ａ（Ｃ－Ａ）诱导的增殖反应,以１０＾－７－１０＾－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ时最强。淋巴细胞先用ＡＣｈ刺激１ｈ或者刺激１ｈ后洗弃ＡＣｈ,再用ＣｏｎＡ诱导６ｈ的Ｔ细胞的增殖。１０＾－７－１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ阿托品可阻     

内皮素—1对大鼠排卵前卵泡颗粒细胞产生孕酮的影响

本文用离体细胞体外孵育法研究了内皮素－１（ＥＴ）对大鼠排卵前卵泡颗粒细胞孕酮生成的影响及其作用机理。结果发现,ＥＴ能显著抑制ｈＣＧ刺激下的孕酮产生,抑制作用在浓度为１０－８ｍｏｌ／Ｌ时,即有显著意义（Ｐ＜０．０５,ｎ＝６）,至１０－７ｍｏｌ／Ｌ时则有非常显著的意义（Ｐ＜０．０１,ｎ＝６）;不同浓度ＥＴ（１０－７—１０－７ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,对颗粒细胞基础孕酮的产生无明显影响。进一步研究表明,ＥＴ对ｈＣＧ刺激下孕酮生成的抑制作用,在用免抗人内皮素抗血清（ＥＴ－Ａ）１：１０００及ｃＡＭＰ后能明显被逆转。实验中还观察到,ＥＴ使颗粒细胞ＬＨ／ｈＣＧ受体数下降,亲和力降低。本文结果提示,ＥＴ可能为卵巢内的一种局部调节肽,通过作用于ＥＴ受体,干扰ＬＨ／ｈＣＧ受体功能和ｃＡＭＰ生成而抑制颗粒细胞孕酮的产生。     

皮质酮快速抑制PC12细胞乙酰胆碱诱发电流影响及机制探讨

目的和方法：本研究采用全细胞膜片箝技术,观察皮质酮（Ｂ）对ＰＣ１２细胞上乙酰胆碱诱发电流（ＩＡＣｈ）的快速作用并初步探讨其可能机制。结果：ＰＣ１２细胞上ＩＡＣｈ是通过烟碱受体（ｎＡＣｈＲ）引起的。箝制电压为－８０ｍＶ时,ＡＣｈ（３０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）诱发一内向电流;细胞外灌流同时给予ＡＣｈ和Ｂ（１０－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）时,Ｂ对ＩＡＣｈ的抑制作用较弱;用Ｂ（１０－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对细胞进行预处理,可提高Ｂ对ＩＡＣｈ峰值的抑制率,作用呈可逆性、浓度依赖性和非电压依赖性;细胞外用ＲＮＡ合成抑制剂放线菌素Ｄ（４×１０－５～４×１０－３ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）或蛋白合成抑制剂放线菌酮（１０－４～１０－３ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）孵育细胞１～２ｈ阻断基因机制,但均不影响Ｂ对ＩＡＣｈ的快速抑制作用。结论：Ｂ对ＰＣ１２细胞上ＩＡＣｈ有快速抑制作用,此作用可能是由非基因组机制介导的。     

L－NNA和还原型Hb对SHRsp肠系膜动脉内皮依赖性舒张的影响

我们以往的工作证实成年自发高血压大鼠（ＳＨＲ与ＳＨＲｓｐ）肠系膜动脉由乙酰胆碱引起的内皮依赖性舒张（ＥＤＲ）减弱。为进一步探讨ＥＤＲ减弱的机制，本文观察了一氧化氮（ＮＯ）合成酶抑制剂左旋硝基精氨酸（Ｌ－ＮＮＡ）及ＥＤＲＦ灭活剂还原型血红蛋白（ＲＨｂ）对卒中易感型自发高血压大鼠（ＳＨＲｓｐ）与常压对照（ＷＫＹ）大鼠肠系膜动脉ＡＣｈ内皮依赖性舒张（ＥＤＲ）的影响。发现Ｌ－ＮＮＡ（１０（－３）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可使ＳＨＲｓｐ弱于ＷＫＹ的ＡＣｈＥＤＲ（１０（－８）－１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的差异消失，ＲＨｂ（１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）则仅在１０（－７）－１０（－８）ｍｏｌ／ＬＡＣｈ时使ＳＨＲ（ｓｐ）肠系膜动脉ＥＤＲ弱于ＷＫＹ的差异消失。将ＷＫＹ在加入Ｌ－ＮＮＡ后的与加入ＲＨｂ后的ＡＣｈ（１０（－８）－１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）ＥＤＲ进行比较，无显著差异。而将ＳＨＲｓｐ在Ｌ－ＮＮＡ后的与ＲＨｂ后的ＡＣｈ（１０（－８）－１０（－６）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）ＥＤＲ进行比较，则有显著差异。并且，ＳＨＲｓｐ的有内皮肠系膜动脉条对ＲＨｂ的敏感性与ＷＫＹ接近，对Ｌ－ＮＮＡ的敏感性则低于ＷＫＹ。表明高血压时肠系膜动脉内皮依赖性舒张减弱中，ＥＤＲＦ机制与     

可乐定对背根神经节神经元GABA激活电流的抑制作用

本实验在新鲜分离大鼠背根神经节（ＤＲＧ）细胞上应用全细胞膜片的箝记录研究贤上腺素α２－受体激动剂可乐定（ｃｌｏｎｉｄｉｎｅ）对ＧＡＢＡ－激活电流的调制作用。发现缘大多数ＤＲＧ细胞对ＧＡＢＡ（１０＾－６￣１０＾－３ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）敏感（７２／７５）,产生浓度依赖性的内向电流;并且可被ｂｉｃｕｃｕｌｉｎｅ（１０＾－５￣１０＾－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）所阻断。在多数细胞中（５１／７２）预加可乐定（１０＾－８￣１０＾－     

蛋白激酶C对大鼠缺血海马突触体谷氨酸摄取的调控作用

采用大鼠海马脑片体外缺血模型,观察海马突触体内蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）活性的变化,以及这种变化对突触体谷氨酸（ＧＬＵ）摄取的影响。结果显示：海马脑片体外“缺血”１０ｍｉｎ,其突触体内ＰＫＣ活性基本不变,而缺血３０ｍｉｎ,突触体内ＰＫＣ活性显著上升（Ｐ＜０．０１,ｎ＝６）;非Ｎ－甲基－Ｄ－天门冬氨酸（ＮＭＤＡ）受体拮抗剂ＤＮＱＸ有效地抑制ＰＫＣ活性的同时,可降低胞外ＧＬＵ的堆积,而ＮＭＤＡ受体阻断剂ＡＰ＿５无作用。进一步实验证明,ＰＫＣ激动剂ＰＤＢ浓度依赖性地抑制突触体对３Ｈ－ＧＬＵ的摄取（ＩＣ５０＝１３１±１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,此抑制作用可由ＰＫＣ抑制剂Ｈ－７（１００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）抵消。提示脑缺血诱发ＧＬＵ堆积的作用机理可能是：脑缺血引发钙内流导致ＧＬＵ过量释放,ＧＬＵ又通过突触前非ＮＭＤＡ受体激活ＰＫＣ,抑制其自身摄取,正反馈性加重胞外ＧＬＵ的堆积。     

去甲肾上腺素对T淋巴细胞增殖的影响

本实验研究了不同浓度和不同作用时间的去甲肾上腺素（ＮＡ）对大鼠脾脏Ｔ淋巴细胞增殖的影响,并探讨α和β受体在此影响中的作用。结果表明,１０＾－８－１０＾－５ｍｏｌ／ＬＮＡ可显著抑制由刀豆素Ａ诱导的Ｔ细胞增殖反应,其中１０＾－７ｍｏｌ／ＬＮＡ的抑制作用最强。ＮＡ与已被ＣｏｎＡ刺激１ｈ的Ｔ细胞作用后,或者ＮＡ与脾细胞作用１ｈ后被洗去,Ｔ细胞的增殖仍受到抑制,但是ＮＡ不能抑制已被ＣｏｎＡ刺激６小时的Ｔ细胞     

CCK—8和NDAP对大鼠脑和脊髓组织c—fos表达的影响

为探讨八肽胆囊收缩素（ＣＣＫ－８）和阿片肽相互作用的分子机理,利用抗体免疫沉淀技术研究了ＣＣＫ－８与ＮＤＡＰ（κ阿片受体激动剂）对大鼠脑（去皮层和小脑）和脊髓背柱组织Ｆｏｓ蛋白的影响。结果表明,０．１μｍｏｌ／Ｌ ＣＣＫ－８可显著刺激脑和脊髓组织中Ｆｏｓ蛋白增加（分别是对照组的３．８倍和３．６倍）。相同浓度的ＮＤＡＰ对Ｆｏｓ蛋白的生成亦有一定的诱导作用,分别是对照组的２．７倍和２．６倍。ＣＣＫ－８     

SNP抑制5-HT诱导的胞内游离钙浓度升高和内钙释放

用Ｆｕｒａ － ２／ＡＭ 荧光测量技术研究了５ － 羟色胺（５－ ＨＴ） 诱导的大鼠尾动脉平滑肌细胞胞内钙升高和一氧化氮（ＮＯ） 的抑制效应。实验表明, 胞外０ｍ ｍｏｌ／ Ｌ Ｃａ２ ＋ 时胞内静息［Ｃａ２ ＋ ］ ｉ 为２０ ．２±８ ．６ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ（ｎ ＝ ８） 。１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ ５－ ＨＴ 可诱导出胞内钙库释放引起的瞬态［Ｃａ２ ＋］ｉ 升高,其峰值达２４５ ．７ ±７１．６ｎｍｏｌ／ Ｌ（ｎ ＝ ６） 。１０ － ７ ｍｏｌ／Ｌ 硝普钠（ＳＮＰ） 可抑制５－ ＨＴ 诱导的［Ｃａ２ ＋］ｉ 升高,其峰值浓度降为７５．１±３５ ．９ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ（ｎ ＝ ５） 。当细胞浴液含２．５ｍ ｍｏｌ／Ｌ Ｃａ２ ＋ 时,静息［Ｃａ２ ＋］ｉ为１１２ ．８ ±１０ ．３ｎｍｏｌ／ Ｌ（ｎ ＝ ５） , 这时１０μｍｏｌ／ Ｌ ５ － ＨＴ 可诱导［Ｃａ２ ＋ ］ ｉ 的峰值为２５２ ．３ ±８０ ．６ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ（ｎ ＝ ４） ,以及其后平台浓度为１４３ ．０ ±３７ ．６ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ（ｎ ＝ ４） ,略大于［Ｃａ２ ＋］ｉ 为１１２．８ ±１０ ．３ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ 的静息浓度,为外钙内流引起。１０ － ７ ｍｏｌ／Ｌ ＳＮＰ 也可抑制５－ ＨＴ 诱导［Ｃａ２ ＋ ］ｉ 平台相浓度。平台浓度由１４３ ±４７     

17β-雌二醇诱导血管内皮细胞一氧化氮释放及其与细胞内钙的关系

利用小牛胸主动脉内皮细胞（ＢＡＥＣｓ）作为模型,观察１７β－雌二醇（Ｅ２）ＢＡＥＣｓ一氧化氮（ＮＯ）释放、一氧化氮合酶（ｅＮＯＳ）ｍＲＮＡ表达和细胞内钙（〔Ｃａ＾２＋〕ｉ）的影响,以及雌激素受体（ＥＲ）拮抗剂ｔａｍｏｘｉｆｅｎ和ＮＯＳ抑制剂（Ｌ－ＮＡＭＥ）的作用。结果显示,Ｅ２（１０＾－１２￣１０＾－８ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）呈尝试依赖性促进ＢＡＥＣｓ中ＮＯ的释放,以１０＾－８ｍｏｌ／Ｌ浓度Ｅ２处理ＢＡＥＣｓ     

Prostacyclin synthesis elicited by cholinergic agonists is linked to activation of M2 alpha and M2 beta muscarinic receptors in the rabbit aorta

This study was conducted to investigate the subtypes of muscarinic receptors involved in the action of cholinergic agents on prostacyclin synthesis in the rabbit aorta. Prostacyclin production measured as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was assessed after exposing the aortic rings to different cholinergic agents. Acetylcholine (ACh) (M1 and M2 agonist) (1-10 microM) and arecaidine proparagyl ester (APE) (M2 selective agonist) (1-10 microM) enhanced 6-keto-PGF1 alpha output in a concentration-dependent manner. A selective M1 receptor agonist, McN-A-343, at 1 microM-1 mM did not alter 6-keto-PGF1 alpha output. ACh- and APE induced increases in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha output were attenuated by the M1/M2 antagonist atropine (0.1 microM), M2 alpha antagonist (AF-DX 116), (0.1-1.0 microM), and by selective M2 beta antagonist, hexahydro-sila-difendiol (HHSiD) (0.1-1.0 microM), but not by the M1 antagonist pirenzepine (1.0 microM). 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha output elicited by ACh- or APE was not altered by the adrenergic receptor antagonists phentolamine and propranolol or by the nicotinic receptor blocker hexamethonium. Similarly, the arachidonic acid- or norepinephrine induced 6-keto-PGF1 alpha accumulation was not altered by these muscarinic receptor antagonists. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, prevented arachidonic acid, ACh- or APE induced 6-keto-PGF1 alpha output. Removal of the endothelium abolished the production of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha elicited by ACh, APE, bradykinin, and calcium ionophore A 23187, but not that induced by angiotensin II, K+ or norepinephrine. These data suggest that vascular prostaglandin generation elicited by cholinergic agonists is mediated via activation of M2 alpha and M2 beta but not M1 muscarinic receptors, which are most likely located on the endothelium.     

缰核内注射Ca^2＋拮抗电针镇痛的作用可被三碘季铵酚翻转

通过埋植套管向大鼠双侧缰核分别注射0.1mol/L CaCl_2 0.5μl,0.06mol/L ACh0.5μl,5.4×10~(-3)mol/L三碘季铵酚0.5μl和14.4×10~(-3)mol/L阿托品0.5μl后观察到,Ca~(2 )降低基础痛阈并拮抗电针镇痛效应;ACh拮抗电针镇痛;Ca~(2 )拮抗电针镇痛的作用可被胆碱能N受体阻断剂三碘季铵酚完全翻转。提示缰核内的Ca~(2 )可能通过ACh实现其拮抗电针镇痛的效应。     

Cholinergic and adrenergic receptors on mouse cardiocytes in vitro

The effects of adrenergic and cholinergic receptor agonists and antagonists on single and clustered mouse cardiocytes in culture have been studied. Cardiocytes were obtained from mice, ranging in ages from 9 days in utero to 1 day postpartum, and were grown in culture for 2–14 days. Single isolated cells of every age tested possessed the ability to respond both via a muscarinic cholinergic receptor to the cholinergic agonist, carbamylcholine, and via α- and β-adrenergic receptors to norepinephrine and epinephrine. Thus, cholinergic and adrenergic receptors are simultaneously present on the same cell. Cardiocyte clusters had considerably higher sensitivity to both autonomic agents, but, because of the extensive functional specializations between cells, the localization of functional receptors to specific cells could not be made. [³H]Alprenolol, a potent β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, and [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([³H]QNB), a potent muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, were used to localize β-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors by autoradiography. Quantitation of the muscarinic ACh receptor gave ～800 sites/μm², a value comparable to that for the nicotinic ACh receptor on primary skeletal muscle in culture. Electrophysiological and fine-structural studies confirmed the myocardial nature of these cells.     

Cholinoceptor-mediated control of catecholamine release from chromaffin cells in the American eel,Anguilla rostrata

The cholinergic agonist-induced secretion of catecholamines from chromaffin cells in the American eel, Anguilla rostrata, was assessed using a salineperfused posterior cardinal vein preparation. Direct membrane depolarization with 60 mmol·l^-1 K⁺ caused a significant release of catecholamines (adrenaline + noradrenaline) into the perfusate which was unaffected by pre-treatment with the ganglion blocker, hexamethonium (final concentration = 10^-3 mol · l^-1). The nicotinic receptor agonist, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide, evoked catecholamine release in response to several doses exceeding 10^-7 mol; at 10^-5 mol the response was abolished by pre-treatment with the ganglion blocker, hexamethonium (final concentration = 10^-3 mol · l^-1). The muscarinic receptor agonist, pilocarpine, did not elicit catecholamine release in response to any of the doses administered (10^-8–10^-4 mol). A single injection of the mixed nicotinic/muscarinic cholinoceptor agonist, carbachol (10^-5 mol), caused the release of catecholamines which was abolished by pre-treatment with hexamethonium but which was unaffected by pre-treatment with the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (final concentration = 10^-5 mol · l^-1). The results of this study indicate that the process of cholinergic agonist-induced catecholamine secretion from the chromaffin cells in the American eel is mediated exclusively by activation of nicotinic receptors with no involvement of the muscarinic receptor.Abbreviations DMPP 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide - MS222 ethylaminobenzoate - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - PCV posterior cardinal vein - SEM standard error of the mean     

Enhancement of DNA synthesis in rat thymocytes by stimulating their muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.

The binding of 3H-acetylcholine (ACh) to acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on rat thymocytes was examined and found to be inhibited by the treatment with several antagonists against nicotinic and muscarinic AChRs. This result suggested that thymocytes have AChRs with different affinity, and bear both nicotinic and muscarinic AChRs on their surfaces. To make clear the functional significance of the AChRs, DNA synthesis of the thymocytes stimulated with ACh was examined. 3H-thymidine uptake of thymocytes was significantly increased when the cells were stimulated with ACh or another cholinergic agonist. The increment of DNA synthesis caused by ACh in thymocytes was not reduced by treatment with nicotinic antagonists, but was decreased by treatment with any of the muscarinic antagonists. Concentration of the intracellular second messengers, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) was also made higher by ACh stimulation. It is discussed that the enhancement of intracellular IP3 and cGMP concentrations after stimulation of muscarinic AChRs appears to be related with the increment of thymocyte DNA synthesis.     

Cholinergic Modulation of the Release of [3H]Acetylcholine from Synaptosomes of the Myenteric Plexus

Abstract: The purpose of these experiments was to determine if cholinergic agents affected the release of acetylcholine (ACh) from a synaptosomal preparation of the guinea pig ileum myenteric plexus. The synaptosomal preparation was first incubated with the precursor [³H]choline; subsequently, release of the stored [³H]ACh was measured. The release was decreased by oxotremorine or exogenous ACh plus hexamethonium and increased by exogenous ACh plus atropine. The nicotinic agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP) evoked release that was inhibited by nicotinic antagonists or muscarinic agonists. Release was stimulated half-maximally by approximately 2 μ m - and maximally by 10 μ m -DMPP. Either in the absence of calcium or at 0°C, DMPP was without effect. The effect of 10 μ m -DMPP was brief, a significant stimulation occurring only within the first 2 min at 37°C. Tetrodotoxin also inhibited excitation by DMPP but not completely. Thus, the release of [³H]ACh appears to be presynaptically modulated, negatively by muscarinic agonists and positively by nicotinic agonists.     

Neuromuscular transmission of pectoral fin muscles of the goldfish Carassius auratus

The electrical properties and neuromuscular transmission of white and red fibers of pectoral fin muscles of the goldfish Carassius auratus were studied using an intracellular recording technique. The pectoral fin muscles consist mainly of white and red fibers. Almost all of white fibers elicited action potentials with overshoot by direct stimulation, but graded responses appeared in the red fibers. However, overshooting action potentials were often recorded from the red fibers in saline containing 20 microM tetraethylammonium (TEA) chloride. In response to single nerve stimulations, excitatory (EJPs) and inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) were obtained from both white and red fibers in common. Both EJPs and IJPs were blocked completely or partially by d-tubocurarine, a nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor antagonist. Nicotine, a nicotinic ACh receptor agonist, and oxotremorine, a muscarinic ACh receptor agonist, depolarized both fiber types. The results suggest that white and red fibers receive double innervation from excitatory and inhibitory nerves, and have nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors. In the resting muscle, miniature excitatory junction potentials were generated spontaneously in both white and red fibers. Occasionally, miniature inhibitory junction potentials were recorded from the red fibers. The results indicate that the release of both excitatory and inhibitory transmitters is quantal in nature.     

Nicotinic autoreceptor function in rat brain during maturation and aging: possible differential sensitivity to organophosphorus anticholinesterases

Acetylcholine (ACh) release is modulated pre-synaptically by both muscarinic and nicotinic receptor-mediated processes. While muscarinic autoreceptors inhibit ACh release, nicotinic autoreceptors enhance ACh release and thus disruption of these processes could potentially affect cholinergic toxicity following exposure to anticholinesterases. Marked age-related differences in sensitivity to some organophosphorus (OP) anticholinesterases have been reported. We compared nicotinic autoreceptor function (NAF) during maturation and aging and evaluated its potential modulation by the common OP insecticide, chlorpyrifos (CPF). Cortical synaptosomes were pre-loaded with [3H]choline, superfused (0.6 ml/min) with physiological buffer and [3H]ACh release was evoked with potassium (KCl, 9 mM), with or without co-addition of exogenous ACh to stimulate nicotinic autoreceptors. Fractions of perfusate were subsequently collected and area under the curve (AUC) for [3H] was analyzed by scintillation counting. The difference in evoked release due to co-addition of exogenous ACh was defined as NAF. Under these conditions, atropine (ATR, 0.1 microM) appeared requisite for NAF; thus this muscarinic antagonist was subsequently added to all perfusion buffers. In synaptosomes from adult tissues, exogenous ACh (3-100 microM) significantly increased release in a concentration-dependent manner. The nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine (MEC, 100 microM) substantially reduced the potassium-evoked release elicited by co-addition of ACh (10 microM). Interestingly, the nicotinic agonists nicotine (NIC) and dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP; 0.1-10 microM) had no effect on release. The active metabolite of CPF (i.e. chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO), 1-10 microM) inhibited NAF in vitro. Maturation-related expression of NAF was noted (AUC with co-addition of 10 microM ACh: 7-day rats, 7+/-6; 21-day rats, 44+/-6; 90-day rats, 196+/-37; 24-month rats, 173+/-52). NAF was substantially reduced (67-91%) 96 h after maximum tolerated dosages of CPF in adult and aged rats (279 mg/kg, sc) but not in juveniles (127 mg/kg, sc), even though AChE inhibition was similar among the age groups (>80%). Together these data suggest that NAF is differentially expressed during maturation and that this neuromodulatory process may be selectively altered by some OP insecticides, potentially contributing to age-related differences in response to AChE inhibitors. As NAF has been postulated to be activated under conditions of 'impaired' cholinergic function, selective alteration of this pre-synaptic process by OP anticholinesterases may be also important in age-related conditions associated with cholinergic hypofunction.     

Cholinergic neurotransmission from mechanosensory afferents to giant interneurons in the terminal abdominal ganglion of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus

Crickets respond to air currents with quick avoidance behavior. The terminal abdominal ganglion (TAG) has a neuronal circuit for a wind-detection system to elicit this behavior. We investigated neuronal transmission from cercal sensory afferent neurons to ascending giant interneurons (GIs). Pharmacological treatment with 500 muM acetylcholine (ACh) increased neuronal activities of ascending interneurons with cell bodies located in the TAG. The effects of ACh antagonists on the activities of identified GIs were examined. The muscarinic ACh antagonist atropine at 3-mM concentration had no obvious effect on the activities of GIs 10-3, 10-2, or 9-3. On the other hand, a 3-mM concentration of the nicotinic ACh antagonist mecamylamine decreased spike firing of these interneurons. Immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal anti-conjugated acetylcholine antibody revealed the distribution of cholinergic neurons in the TAG. The cercal sensory afferent neurons running through the cercal nerve root showed cholinergic immunoreactivity, and the cholinergic immunoreactive region in the neuropil overlapped with the terminal arborizations of the cercal sensory afferent neurons. Cell bodies in the median region of the TAG also showed cholinergic immunoreactivity. This indicates that not only sensory afferent neurons but also other neurons that have cell bodies in the TAG could use ACh as a neurotransmitter.