Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Inhibition of Synthesis of Acetylcholine by Some Esters of Trimethoxybenzoic Acid

Nature volume 204, pages 485–486 (1964)Cite this article

Abstract

HEMICHOLINIUM (HC-3) has been shown to possess a strong inhibitory effect on acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis in nervous tissue which can be effectively antagonized by choline1–6. Similar activity, though to a lesser degree, has been demonstrated in tetraethylammonium (TEA)7,8. Replacement of the ethyl group of TEA by methyl, propyl or butyl results in a significant reduction of the inhibitory activity. Recently, we have demonstrated that troxy-pyrrolidinium (ethyl-2(3,4,5- trimethoxybenzoyloxy) ethyl pyrrolidinium iodide) possesses hemicholinium-like activity but is less toxic9. In the work recorded here, a series of trimethoxybenzoic acid esters are compared to determine the structure/activity relationship.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. MacIntosh, F. C., Birks, R. I., and Sastry, P. B., Nature, 178, 1181 (1956).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Sastry, P. B., Ph.D. thesis, McGill Univ., Montreal (1956).

  3. Gardiner, J. E., J. Physiol., 138, 13P (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  4. MacIntosh, F. C., Birks, R. I., and Sastry, P. B., Neurology, 8, 90 (1958).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Birks, R. I., and MacIntosh, F. C., Canad. J. Biochem. Physiol., 39, 787 (1961).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Gardiner, J. E., Biochem. J., 81, 297 (1961).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. MacIntosh, F. C., Fed. Proc., 20, 562 (1961).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bhatnagar, S. P., and MacIntosh, F. C., Canad. J. Physiol. and Pharmacol. (in the press).

  9. McColl, J. D., Bhatnagar, S. P., and Lam, A., Fed. Proc., 23, 178 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Fenney, D. J., Probit Analysis, second ed. (Camb. Univ. Press, 1952).

    Google Scholar 

  11. MacIntosh, F. C., and Perry, W. L. M., Methods Med. Res., 3, 78 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. S. P. BHATNAGAR

    Present address: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Food and Drug Directorate, Ottawa

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratories, Frank W. Horner, Ltd., Montreal

    S. P. BHATNAGAR, A. LAM & J. D. MCCOLL

Authors
  1. S. P. BHATNAGAR
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. LAM
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. D. MCCOLL
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

BHATNAGAR, S., LAM, A. & MCCOLL, J. Inhibition of Synthesis of Acetylcholine by Some Esters of Trimethoxybenzoic Acid. Nature 204, 485–486 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/204485b0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/204485b0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing