Muscarinic receptors activate calcium channels and calcium dependent potassium channels in NlE-115 neuroblastoma cells.

Responses of NlE-115 neuroblastoma cells to application of carbachol were studied using intracellular recording techniques. Activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors by carbachol resulted in a depolarization of the cells. The response was blocked by pirenzepine (1 microM) and by CoCl2 (5 mM), verapamil (10 microM) and gallopamil (10 microM), and prolonged by quinine (5 mM). It is suggested that muscarinic receptors increase the membrane calcium permeability, and that the influx of calcium activates calcium dependent potassium channels.