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Related Concept Videos

Parasympathetic Signaling01:30

Parasympathetic Signaling

3.9K
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...
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Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions01:30

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions

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Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists, also known as anticholinesterases, exert their pharmacological effects by enhancing cholinergic transmission in various body parts, including the neuromuscular junction, autonomic cholinergic synapses, and the brain.
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
1.8K
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:22

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

2.4K
Cholinergic agonists or cholinomimetics mimic the action of acetylcholine to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They are categorized into direct-acting and indirect-acting agents. The direct-acting cholinergic drugs induce the parasympathetic response by directly binding to the muscarinic or nicotine receptors. In comparison, the indirect-acting cholinergic drugs prevent acetylcholine hydrolysis, indirectly contributing to the extended parasympathetic response.
The direct-acting...
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Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions00:59

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions

2.5K
Direct-acting cholinergic agonists exert their pharmacological actions by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine on postsynaptic muscarinic receptors to generate parasympathetic responses. These agents elicit a range of physiological responses, including cardiovascular effects. For example, activation of muscarinic receptors induces bradycardia, decreased cardiac output, reduced peripheral resistance, and consequent hypotension. In the eye, stimulation of M3 receptors leads to smooth muscle...
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Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic01:25

Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic

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The pharmacological actions of acetylcholine are elicited via its binding to two families of cholinergic receptors or cholinoceptors, namely, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Muscarinic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors and have five subtypes, M1–M5. All mAChR subtypes are activated by acetylcholine and blocked by the antagonist, atropine. 
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+....
5.9K
Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:23

Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

6.0K
Cholinergic neurotransmission involves the synthesis and the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in order to transmit nerve impulses across the synapse. The process begins with the synthesis of acetyl CoA, a precursor for ACh, from ATP, acetate, and coenzyme A in the mitochondria. Choline, another vital precursor, is transported inside the neuron through choline transporters, including high-affinity choline transporter CHT1, low-affinity choline transporter CTL1, and lower-affinity choline...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Chick Ciliary Ganglion Neurons
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Isolation and Culture of Chick Ciliary Ganglion Neurons

Published on: August 8, 2020

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Cholinergic system and cell proliferation.

F J Campoy1, C J Vidal1, E Muñoz-Delgado1

  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular-A, Universidad de Murcia, IMIB, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", E-30071 Murcia, Spain.

Chemico-Biological Interactions
|April 17, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The cholinergic system, including acetylcholinesterase, regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis. Altered levels of these components are linked to cancer and patient survival, highlighting their critical roles.

Keywords:
AcetylcholineAcetylcholine receptorsAcetylcholinesteraseApoptosisCancerProliferation

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The cholinergic system, involving acetylcholine and its related proteins, is present in most human cells.
  • Acetylcholine functions as a neurotransmitter and local signaling molecule, influencing cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • Cholinergic responses, particularly via nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, exhibit proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the cholinergic system, with a focus on acetylcholinesterase, in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • To explore the implications of altered cholinergic component levels in various tumors and their correlation with patient survival.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating the cholinergic system's involvement in cell cycle regulation.
  • Analysis of research on acetylcholinesterase expression and function during apoptosis.
  • Examination of data linking cholinesterase levels to cancer prognosis.

Main Results:

  • Acetylcholinesterase is induced and translocates to the nucleus during apoptosis.
  • The content of choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholine receptors, and cholinesterases is frequently altered in tumors.
  • Cholinesterase levels correlate with patient survival in certain cancer types.

Conclusions:

  • The cholinergic system, especially acetylcholinesterase, plays a significant role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • Acetylcholinesterase influences these processes through acetylcholine hydrolysis and other mechanisms.
  • Dysregulation of the cholinergic system is implicated in cancer development and progression.