Neuromuscular Transmission

Neuromuscular Transmission

To the tune of “Space Oddity” by David Bowie

[Pre-verse] 
Acetylcholine binding
Acetylcholine binding
Leads to ligand-gated ion channel opening
Acetylcholine binding
Increases permeability
Of both sodium and potassium ions

[Verse 1] 
The binding of acetylcholine
To nicotinic receptors
Induces depolarization of muscle
Known as the endplate potential
This causes voltage-gated channels
For sodium to open
Causing depolarization to threshold
An increase of 30-40 millivolts

 [Chorus]
This induces an action potential
In the muscle cell
Which will result
In contraction of muscle

[Verse 2] 
Nicotinic Ach receptor
Comprised of 5 subunits
2 alpha, 1 beta, 1 gamma, 1 delta
1 molecule of Ach binds each alpha

[Bridge] 
Each subunit crosses the
Membrane as 4 alpha-helices
M1, 2, 3, and 4
M1, 2, 3, and 4
M1, 2, 3, and 4

[Chorus] 
Negatively charged amino acids
In M2, line the channel
This will concentrate
The cations that permeate