THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLE OF CHOLINESTERASE AT CHOLINERGIC RECEPTOR SITES

On the excitation of action potentials by protons and its potential implications for cholinergic transmission

One of the most conserved mechanisms for transmission of a nerve pulse across a synapse relies on acetylcholine (ACh). Ever since the Nobel Prize-winning works of Dale and Loewi, it has been assumed that ACh-subsequent to its action on a postsynaptic cell-is split into inactive by-products by acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Herein, the widespread assumption of inactivity of ACh's hydrolysis products is falsified. Excitable cells (Chara braunii internodes), which had previously been unresponsive to ACh, became ACh-sensitive in the presence of AChE. The latter was evidenced by a striking difference in cell membrane depolarization upon exposure to 10 mM intact ACh (∆V = -2 ± 5 mV) and its hydrolysate (∆V = 81 ± 19 mV), respectively, for 60 s. This pronounced depolarization, which also triggered action potentials, was clearly attributed to one of the hydrolysis products: acetic acid (∆V = 87 ± 9 mV at pH 4.0; choline ineffective in the range 1-10 mM). In agreement with our findings, numerous studies in the literature have reported that acids excite gels, lipid membranes, plant cells, erythrocytes, as well as neurons. Whether excitation of the postsynaptic cell in a cholinergic synapse is due to protons or due to intact ACh is a most fundamental question that has not been addressed so far.

Mapping of cholinoceptive(nicotinoceptive)neurons in the lower brainstem: with special reference to the ventral surface of the medulla

The distribution of cholinoceptive neurons in the lower brainstem of the rat was investigated by means of a histochemical method for specific acetylcholinesterase. Nicotinoceptive neurons were characterized using an alpha-bungarotoxin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate for the detection of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. For the first time a nearly complete mapping of the location of cholinoceptive (nicotinoceptive) neurons of the lower brainstem was achieved. Special attention was focused on the organization of the cholinoceptive neuronal matrix of the ventral surface of the medulla, where regulative centers for vasomotor and respiratory control are located.

A bio-physical basis of mathematics in synaptic function of the nervous system: a theory

The purpose of this paper is to present a bio-physical basis of mathematics. The essence of the theory is that function in the nervous system is mathematical. The mathematics arises as a result of the interaction of energy (a wave with a precise curvature in space and time) and matter (a molecular or ionic structure with a precise form in space and time). In this interaction, both energy and matter play an active role. That is, the interaction results in a change in form of both energy and matter. There are at least six mathematical operations in a simple synaptic region. It is believed the form of both energy and matter are specific, and their interaction is specific, that is, function in most of the 'mind' and placed where it belongs - in nature and the synaptic regions of the nervous system; it results in both places from a precise interaction between energy (in a precise form) and matter ( in a precise structure).