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Acetylcholine receptors in the oocyte membrane

Nature volume 270, pages 739–741 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

IN vertebrates, fully differentiated cells such as skeletal muscle and some nerve cells are highly sensitive to acetyl-choline (ACh), due to the presence of acetylcholine receptors in their surface membranes. In muscle fibres, the ACh-sensitivity is known to appear early during differentiation1–3, but relatively little is known about the chemical sensitivity of the membrane in the undifferentiated cell. In particular, it would be interesting to know if spermatozoa and oocytes are already sensitive to ACh and other neurotransmitter substances. To examine this question, toad (Xenopus laevis) oocytes were taken from the ovary, kept in frog's Ringer or Merriam4 solution, and studied at room temperature, using conventional electrophysiological techniques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK

    K. KUSANO, R. MILEDI & J. STINNAKRE

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  1. K. KUSANO
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  2. R. MILEDI
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  3. J. STINNAKRE
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KUSANO, K., MILEDI, R. & STINNAKRE, J. Acetylcholine receptors in the oocyte membrane. Nature 270, 739–741 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/270739a0

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