Abstract
In addition to their well known actions on monoamine reuptake, tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to modulate ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs). Since the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) has been the model for studying structure-function relationships of LGICs, we analyzed the action of tricyclic antidepressants on this type of AChR at both single-channel and macroscopic current levels. We also determined their effects on ACh equilibrium binding and their interactions with the different conformational states of the AChR. Antidepressants produce a significant concentration-dependent decrease in the duration of clusters of single-channels (eight fold at 20 μM). They also decrease the peak amplitude and increase the decay rate of currents elicited by rapid perfusion of ACh to outside-out patches. In equilibrium binding assays, antidepressants promote the typical high-affinity desensitized state and inhibit binding of [piperidyl-3,4-3H (N)]-(N-(1-(2-thienyl) cyclohexyl)-3,4-piperidine ([3H]TCP) to its locus in resting and desensitized AChRs. The results indicate that tricyclic antidepressants: (i) interact with resting (closed), open, and desensitized channels; (ii) do not affect significantly channel opening and closing rates; (iii) do not act as fast open-channel blockers; (iv) inhibit activation of resting channels; and (v) may increase the rate of long-lived desensitization from the open state.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 964-976 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Neuropharmacology |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2003 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Acetylcholine
- Nicotinic receptor
- Noncompetitive inhibitor
- Tricyclic antidepressant