Effects Of Acetyl-Beta-Methylcholine On Development Of Acetylcholinesterase And Butyrylcholinesterase Activities In Cultured Chick Embryonic Skeletal-Muscle

The effect of the presence of methacholine on the development of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities in cultures of chick embryonic skeletal muscle has been determined. Dissociated thigh muscle cells obtained from 10-day-old chick embryos were placed on collagen-coated cover slips and cultured in Maximow's assembly and transferred to roller tubes. A progressive increase in AChE and BuChE activities occurred during the 10-day culture period. Addition of methacholine to the cuture media increased AChE activity. After irreversible inhibition of AChE and BuChE activities by soman, de novo synthesis of AChE activity was faster in cultures exposed to methacholine than in control cultures. The methacholine-induced development of AChE activity in muscle cultures was blocked by chloramphenicol and puromycin.