Reduction in muscarinic receptors by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide

Treatment of rat superior cervical ganglion cells in culture for 4 days with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide corresponding to a partial sequence of the mRNA coding the m1 muscarinic receptor decreased m1 receptor mRNA by 64% without affecting m2 receptor mRNA. [3H]Pirenzepine binding to M1 receptors was decreased by 43%. Intraventricular infusion of this antisense oligodeoxynucleotide reduced muscarinic receptor density in M1 but not M2 receptor-rich brain regions.