Blockade by MPTP of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels in embryonic Xenopus muscle cells

Abstract

The effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor channels were studied in cultured myocytes of 1-day-old Xenopus embryos. The amplitude and decay time of iontophoretic ACh-induced currents were reduced by MPTP in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory action of MPTP was frequency-dependent, being enhanced by higher frequencies of stimulation at 7 and 30 Hz. Neither pargyline nor tranylcypromine affected the inhibitory effects of MPTP on ACh-induced currents. Single channel recordings showed that MPTP decreased the opening frequency, mean open time as well as the conductance of both low- and high-conductance ACh channels. These results suggest that the inhibitory actions of MPTP on ACh receptor channels in skeletal muscle may contribute to the depression of the nerve-evoked contraction of the mouse diaphragm as previously reported.