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Acetylcholine receptors (muscarinic) C

Unless otherwise stated all data on this page refer to the human proteins. Gene information is provided for human (Hs), mouse (Mm) and rat (Rn).

Overview

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Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors [13]) are activated by the endogenous agonist acetylcholine. All five (M1-M5) mAChRs are ubiquitously expressed in the human body and are therefore attractive targets for many disorders. Functionally, M1, M3, and M5 mAChRs preferentially couple to Gq/11 proteins, whilst M2 and M4 mAChRs predominantly couple to Gi/o proteins. Both agonists and antagonists of mAChRs are clinically approved drugs, including pilocarpine for the treatment of elevated intra-ocular pressure and glaucoma, and atropine for the treatment of bradycardia and poisoning by muscarinic agents such as organophosphates. Of note, it has been observed that mAChRs dimerise reversibly [38] and that dimerisation/oligomerisation can be affected by ligands [61,65].

Receptors

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M1 receptor C Show summary » More detailed page go icon to follow link

M2 receptor C Show summary » More detailed page go icon to follow link

M3 receptor C Show summary » More detailed page go icon to follow link

M4 receptor C Show summary » More detailed page go icon to follow link

M5 receptor C Show summary » More detailed page go icon to follow link

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Further reading

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References

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NC-IUPHAR subcommittee and family contributors

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How to cite this family page

Database page citation (select format):

Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY citation:

Alexander SPH, Christopoulos A, Davenport AP, Kelly E, Mathie AA, Peters JA, Veale EL, Armstrong JF, Faccenda E, Harding SD, Davies JA et al. (2023) The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2023/24: G protein-coupled receptors. Br J Pharmacol. 180 Suppl 2:S23-S144.