Cyclic AMP and the nicotinic response of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

The effects of cAMP analogs on the nicotinic responses of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were examined by monitoring nicotine-induced whole cell currents, [3H]norepinephrine release, and membrane conductance changes. None of the three methods revealed an increased nicotinic response after treatment with cAMP analogs. The compounds did increase [3H]norepinephrine release from the cells but the effect was not exerted at the level of nicotinic receptors. Bovine adrenal chromaffin cells differ in this respect from chick ciliary ganglion neurons which do show increased nicotinic responses after treatment with cAMP analogs.