[The role of Ca ions in desensitization induced by acetylcholine]

Abolition of cholinergic inhibition in the heart of fresh-water bivalves in absence of cholinesterase can be attained by inactivation of the acetylcholine receptor (R). The role of Ca in this process was studied. Determination of Ca in the perfusate at different stages of cholinergic inhibition showed that the concentration of Ca increased during the sistolic arrest, and the initiation of beats was accompanied by binding of Ca. This coincided with the onset of ATP release and went on till the complete desensitization. The increase of external Ca concentration up to 1.10-2M increased the half-time of desensitization while the binding of Ca with EDTA decreased it and eliminated the ATP anti-acetylcholine effect. Another bivalent ion, UO2, which binds phosphate groups, competes with Ca. The role of Ca and ATP in chemical inactivation of the acetylcholine receptor is discussed.