Regulation of acetylcholine receptor by cyclic AMP.

In primary cultures of chick 11-day embryonic tissue a number of phosphodiesterase inhibitors were found to elevate acetylcholine receptor levels. Of these agents, Ro20-1724 was the most effective, elevating surface receptor content by 2-fold after 48 h of treatment. 8-Br-cAMP and cholera toxin, a natural activator of adenylate cyclase, mimicked the effect of Ro20-1724, while 8-Br-cGMP and dibutyryl cGMP had no effect. Cholera toxin, 8-Br-cAMP, and Ro20-1724 all increased the insertion rate of new receptor into the surface membrane without altering degradation. The enhanced insertion appears related to an actual increase in synthesis since total acetylcholine receptor was elevated by exposure to cholera toxin. In contrast, no change in creatine phosphokinase activity, myosin heavy chain content, or [35S] methionine incorporation into total cellular protein was observed during cholera toxin treatment. These results suggest that cAMP plays a role in the regulation of acetylcholine receptor.