Roles of Amino Acids and Subunits in Determining the Inhibition of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors by Competitive Antagonists

Abstract

Competitive antagonists exhibited different patterns of sensitivity to mutations. Except for pancuronium, the antagonists were sensitive to mutations at the alpha-epsilon interface. Pancuronium, vecuronium, and cisatracurium were selective for the alpha-delta interface. This suggests the possibility of synergistic inhibition by pairs of antagonists.