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Dual muscarinic and nicotinic action on a motor program in Drosophila
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Dual muscarinic and nicotinic action on a motor program in Drosophila

Michael G Gorczyca, Vivian Budnik, Kalpana White and C. F Wu
Journal of neurobiology, Vol.22(4), pp.391-404
06/1991
DOI: 10.1002/neu.480220407
PMID: 1679841

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Abstract

The effect of cholinergic agonists and antagonists on the central pattern generator of the pharyngeal muscles has been studied in third instar larvae of Drosophila. The pharyngeal muscles are a group of rhythmically active fibers involved in feeding. Bath application of the cholinergic agonists carbachol, musarine, pilocarpine, and acetylcholine (ACh) to a semiintact preparation including the pharyngeal muscles and the central nervous system (CNS), initiated long-lasting endogenous-like bursting activity in the muscles. The muscarinic antagonists, atropine and scopolamine, blocked these responses as well as endogenous activity. Perfusion with nicotine elicited a short, tonic response that was marginally blocked by mecamylamine but not by curare, α-bungarotoxin, hexamethonium, or the muscarinic antagonists. This is the first time that a response to cholinergic drugs has been examined in Drosophila. The pharyngeal muscle preparation may prove to be a valuable system for studying mutations of cholinergic metabolism, receptors, and second messengers.

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