Acetylcholine muscarinic receptor regulation of the Ras/Raf/MAP kinase pathway

Acetylcholine muscarinic m1 receptors and m2 receptors are predominantly coupled to the heterotrimeric G proteins Gq, 11 and Gi, respectively. Stimulation of the m1 and m2 receptors in different cell types activate the Ras/Raf/MAP kinase pathway. The ability of the m1 receptor to activate the MAP kinase pathway is dependent on the isoforms of adenylyl cyclase expressed in specific cell types. Specific adenylyl cyclases respond to different signals, including calcium and protein kinase C, with increased cAMP synthesis resulting in protein kinase A activation. Stimulation of protein kinase A inhibits Raf and subsequent MAP kinase activation by G protein-coupled receptors and growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases. G protein-coupled receptors can positively and negatively regulate the responsiveness of tyrosine kinase-stimulated response pathways.