Elucidation of mechanisms for the generation of gut peristaltic reflex using various types of knockout mice.

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The cholinergic neurons play an important rolein the generation and regulation of gut peristaltic reflex. Acetylcholine released from the cholinergic neurons act on muscarinic receptors in various neurons and smooth muscles to produce peristalsis. However, the precise roles of muscarinic receptor subtypes have not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we analyzed gut peristalsis in muscarinic receptor subtype knockout mice. The results suggest that M2 subtype of muscarinic receptor plays an essential role in the generation of peristalsis and that this subtype may be a useful target for the development of new drugs to treat for various intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.