1998 Volume 76 Issue 2 Pages 213-218
Smooth muscle cells of guinea pig ileum express both M2 and M3 subtypes of muscarinic receptors. Under voltage clamp, activation of the muscarinic receptors with carbachol (CCh) induces Ca2+-activated K+ current (IK-Ca) and nonselective cationic current (Icat). Receptor subtypes mediating the current responses were characterized by using pirenzepine, AF-DX116, 4-DAMP and atropine, which have different profiles of the affinity constants for muscarinic receptor subtypes. The muscarinic antagonists inhibited either CCh-evoked IK-Ca or Icat with different potencies. Their relative potencies for IK-Ca and Icat inhibition resembled the relative affinity constants for M3 and M2 subtypes, respectively. Thus, the IK-Ca is mediated via the M3 subtype and the Icat via the M2 subtype.