Influences on the expression of acetylcholine receptors on rat nodose neurones in cell culture

Abstract

1. Nodose neurones dissociated from new-born rats were grown in culture in the absence or presence of cells from neonatal skeletal muscle or heart. 2. In cultures devoid of non-neuronal cells cholinergic interactions between the neurones were common. In the presence of non-neuronal cells such interactions were rare. 3. A decrease in the proportion of neurones responsive to ACh was primarily responsible for the reduced incidence of synaptic interactions. Non-neuronal cells influenced the expression of ACh receptors in developing nodose neurones in culture. 4. Most neurones appeared susceptible to the non-neuronal influence during the first week in culture. 5. Many nodose ganglion neurones, whether grown in the presence or absence of non-neuronal cells, were sensitive to gamma-aminobutyric acid and serotonin but were insensitive to glutamate, glycine and L-epinephrine.