Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity01:11

Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity

2.3K
The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) plays a pivotal role in regulating gastrointestinal or GI motor activity. This complex network of nerves, deeply embedded within the gut wall, responds to changes in the gut environment and receives input from both the autonomic nervous system and the central nervous system. By doing so, the ENS operates various programs tailored to the body's nutritional status and needs.
During periods of fasting, the ENS initiates the migrating myoelectric complex, a...
2.3K
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic01:15

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

6.8K
Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Upon activation, they cause a rapid increase in the permeability of cells to K+, Na+, and Ca2+, followed by depolarization and excitation. They are in the autonomic ganglia, skeletal neuromuscular junction, CNS, and adrenal medulla.
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
6.8K
Nerve Supply of the GI Tract01:27

Nerve Supply of the GI Tract

4.4K
The neuronal supply to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is essential for regulating various functions, including digestion, absorption, and movement of food. This intricate network of nerves is known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), often referred to as the "second brain" of the body.
The enteric nervous system consists of two major plexuses: the myenteric plexus (Auerbach's plexus) and the submucosal plexus (Meissner's plexus). These plexuses are located within the layers of...
4.4K
Parasympathetic Signaling01:30

Parasympathetic Signaling

4.2K
Parasympathetic signaling plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes. It involves the release of acetylcholine (ACh) by parasympathetic neurons, which can have localized and short-lived effects. The majority of ACh released is rapidly inactivated at the synapse by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which hydrolyzes Ach into choline and acetate. Additionally, the tissue cholinesterase deactivates any ACh diffusing into the surrounding tissues.
The effects of...
4.2K
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants01:23

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants

2.3K

Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
2.3K
Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

45.1K
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
45.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Piezo2<sup>+</sup> mechanosensory neurons and glial cells initiate resident macrophage activation in postoperative ileus.

Gut·2026
Same author

Neural cues differentially modulate colorectal cancer cell behavior depending on patients' genomic background.

iScience·2026
Same author

Functional maturation of enteric neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Stem cell reports·2026
Same author

International Forum on Visceral Myopathy 2024: Advances in the Knowledge of the Disease.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2026
Same author

Segregating glial cells in the gut.

Neuron·2026
Same author

Enteric neuroscience on the move: recording from the gut in vivo.

Trends in neurosciences·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Immunostaining to Visualize Murine Enteric Nervous System Development
07:54

Immunostaining to Visualize Murine Enteric Nervous System Development

Published on: April 29, 2015

12.0K

Changes in Nicotinic Neurotransmission during Enteric Nervous System Development.

Jaime Pei Pei Foong1, Caroline S Hirst2, Marlene M Hao3

  • 1Departments of Physiology and.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|May 8, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The study reveals that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the developing gut change significantly after birth, with new receptor subtypes becoming functional. This research offers the first look at cholinergic transmission development in the enteric nervous system.

Keywords:
developmententeric nervous systemneurotransmissionnicotinic receptor

More Related Videos

An In-vitro Preparation of Isolated Enteric Neurons and Glia from the Myenteric Plexus of the Adult Mouse
10:34

An In-vitro Preparation of Isolated Enteric Neurons and Glia from the Myenteric Plexus of the Adult Mouse

Published on: August 7, 2013

29.1K
In Situ Ca2+ Imaging of the Enteric Nervous System
11:26

In Situ Ca2+ Imaging of the Enteric Nervous System

Published on: January 29, 2015

18.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Immunostaining to Visualize Murine Enteric Nervous System Development
07:54

Immunostaining to Visualize Murine Enteric Nervous System Development

Published on: April 29, 2015

12.0K
An In-vitro Preparation of Isolated Enteric Neurons and Glia from the Myenteric Plexus of the Adult Mouse
10:34

An In-vitro Preparation of Isolated Enteric Neurons and Glia from the Myenteric Plexus of the Adult Mouse

Published on: August 7, 2013

29.1K
In Situ Ca2+ Imaging of the Enteric Nervous System
11:26

In Situ Ca2+ Imaging of the Enteric Nervous System

Published on: January 29, 2015

18.2K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are crucial for neurotransmission in the enteric nervous system (ENS).
  • Understanding the developmental trajectory of nAChR subtypes is essential for comprehending ENS maturation and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional development of specific nAChR subtypes in myenteric neurons.
  • To determine the role of nAChRs in ENS development and synaptic transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Wnt1-Cre;R26R-GCaMP3 mice for calcium imaging in enteric neurons.
  • Examined nAChR subunit expression and the effects of subtype-specific antagonists at various developmental stages (embryonic to adult).
  • Assessed nAChR involvement in neuronal migration, differentiation, and neuritogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Expression of α3 and β4 nAChR subunits was most abundant from E14.5 onwards.
  • Blockade of α3β4 receptors impaired evoked calcium responses early in development (E12.5-P0).
  • Postnatal development (P10-11 and adult) showed increased diversity of functional nAChRs, including α3β2 and α4β2 subtypes, while α7 nAChRs had no effect.

Conclusions:

  • Significant changes occur in the contribution of different nAChR subunits to synaptic transmission in the ENS during postnatal development.
  • This study provides the first comprehensive investigation into the developmental changes of cholinergic transmission within the ENS.
  • nAChRs do not appear to play a significant role in embryonic neuronal migration, differentiation, or neuritogenesis.