Conformational transformations of cholinoreceptors of skeletal muscles

Abstract

1. 1. A dynamic scheme of the tetrameric cholinoreceptor based on its conformational changes is put forward. 2. 2. The type of action of dicationic myorelaxants depends on the following molecular parameters: (a) N-N distance, (b) the possibility of the formation of S- and I-contacts, and (c) the degree of structural flexibility. 3. 3. The gauche (+) conformation of the key-fragment of cholinergic molecules complementarily corresponds to the active site of the cholinoreceptor. 4. 4. A molecular mechanism of action of two enantiomorphic myorelaxants is proposed.