Structural and Functional Aspects of Muscarinic Receptors in Correlation with Anticholinergic Drugs

Abstract

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) are receptors that produce the GPCR complex in the membrane of specific neurons and other cells. It performs a key role at the end of the receptor stimulated by the neurotransmitter. Ach liberates from postganglionic neurons in a parasympathetic region of ANS. The mAChRs constitute a family of five interrelated GPCRs that come under the category of α branch of GPCRs' Class A. The five different subtypes of the mAChR family are designated as M1-M5. M1, M3 and M5 subtype receptors exhibit to pair through the Gq/11 family of G proteins, but the M2 and M4 subtype receptors particularly indicate through Gi/o family of G protein. The mAChRs play multifunctional peripheral and central roles in human physiology including regulation of muscle contraction, heartbeat, lung, secretion by gland and other functions of the CNS. Keywords Muscarinic receptors · Acetylcholine receptor · Anticholinergic drugs · Central nervous system · Atropa belladonna The original version of this chapter was revised due to the error in the affiliation of the co-authors. A correction to this chapter is available at https://doi.