Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine, often abbreviated to Ach, is a neurotransmitter found in the autonomic nervous system.  It was first identified in 1914 by Henry Dale and confirmed as a neurotransmitter by Otto Loewi.  In 1936 they both received a Nobel prize for their work in Medicine.

Chemical Structure

Ach is an ester of acetic acid and choline and has a systemic name of 2-(acetyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium. 

Acetylcholine is released and found in the preganglionic and postganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic nervous system.  It is also present in the preganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system.  In these nervous systems Ach binds to two different types of receptors- the nicotinic Ach receptor annd the muscarinic Ach receptor.  The nicotinic Ach receptor is a ionotropic receptor and can be atagonised by the poison curare.  The muscarinic Ach receptor is a metabotropic receptor and is antagonised by the chemical compound atropine.