Muscarinic stimulation of airway smooth muscle cells

1. Acetylcholine, the principal neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, is released at both ganglionic synapses and postganglionic neuroeffector junctions and acts by activation of nicotinic and muscarinic cholinoceptors. This review focuses on the effects of postjunctional muscarinic stimulation of airway smooth muscle. 2. On pharmacological criteria, four distinct subtypes of muscarinic cholinoceptor, denoted M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4 receptors, have been identified by use of selective antagonists. Cloned muscarinic cholinoceptors are members of the family of GTP-binding protein-coupled receptors, which are characterized by seven transmembrane (TM) regions connected by intra- and extracellular loops. Between the fifth and the-sixth TM regions, muscarinic receptors possess a large intracytoplasmic loop that is considered to be responsible for G-protein-coupling selectivity and exhibits high divergence between the different subtypes. 3. At the site of the smooth muscle itself, both binding and Northern blot studies have demonstrated, in a variety of species, that muscarinic receptor subtypes present are M-2 and M-3. M-2 receptors are coupled to G(1) proteins and adenylyl cyclase inhibition and thus to cAMP signaling. M-3 receptors are coupled to G(q/11) protein and phosphoinositide hydrolysis and thus to calcium signaling. 4. Muscarinic-induced contraction of airway smooth muscle is mediated by M-3 receptors. M-2-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase contributes to the prevention of bronchodilation. Cross-talk between muscarinic and beta(2) adrenoceptors is likely to be present in airway smooth muscle. The pathophysiological role of this cross-talk requires further investigation. GEN PHARMAC 31;3:349-356, 1998. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.