ACETYLCHOLINE ACTION - BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS

Two major approaches to understanding the mechanism of action of ACh have been examined. The theories invoking only a conformational change are enticing in their simplicity but difficult to validate. The salient points of the numerous and sometimes conflicting studies of phospholipid metabolism were reviewed. A unifying hypothesis was presented which accounts for the observed biochemical data, while still being compatible with many of the considerations noted by those proposing models involving only conformational changes. The physiological implications of this model have been discussed.