Activation of membrane Na+/K+-ATPase of mouse skeletal muscle by acetylcholine and its inhibition by alpha-bungarotoxin, curare and atropine.

The effect of acetylcholine and of three cholinolytic compounds (alpha-bungarotoxin, curare and atropine) on electrogenic Na+/K+ pump and activity of the membrane Na+/K+-ATPase of mouse skeletal muscles was studied. It was found that acetylcholine potentiated both the muscle electrogenic ionic pump and the Na+/K+-ATPase activity of crude membrane fractions. The cholinolytic drugs had inhibitory effects on both parameters, with the exception of curare which was ineffective in blocking the electrogenic ionic pump.