A possible role for phosphorylation of the acetylcholine receptor.

The acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from Torpedo fuscomaculata can be phosphorylated. This reaction was fully characterised. In addition, the influence of factors with possible modulatory effects on the phosphorylation of this receptor were investigated. In order to suggest the possible role of phosphorylation in neurotransmission, the effects of this reaction on the binding of ligands to the AChR were investigated. It was found that phosphorylation enhanced the binding of the antagonist, alpha-bungarotoxin to the AChR. Due to experimental difficulties the effect on binding of the agonist, acetylcholine, to the receptor, could not be determined. However, a hypothesis is proposed regarding the role of phosphorylation of the AChR in neurotransmission.