Chemical events in conducting and synaptic membranes during electrical activity.

Abstract

Evidence has accumulated in recent years for the central role of proteins and enzymes in the function of cell membranes. In the chemical theory proposed for the generation of bioelectricity, i.e., for the control of the ion permeability changes of excitable membranes, the protein assembly associated with the action of acetylcholine plays an essential role. Support of the theory by recent protein studies in which the excitable membranes of the highly specialized electric tissue were used will be discussed. A scheme is presented indicating the possible sequence of chemical reactions that change ion permeability after excitation. A sequence of chemical events within the excitable membranes of the synaptic junctions, i.e., within the pre- and postsynaptic membranes, similar to that proposed for the conducting membranes, is presented in a second scheme as an alternative to the hypothesis of the role of acetylcholine as a transmitter between two cells.