Following reduction of the acetylcholine receptor in the electroplax with dithiothreitol, the quaternary ammonium compounds bromoacetylcholine bromide and the p-nitrophenyl ester of (p-carboxyphenyl) trimethylammonium iodide react near the active site probably with a sulfhydryl group. The covalently attached quaternary ammonium moieties additionally interact with the active site noncovalently to activate the receptor and cause depolarization of the cell.
        
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Silman I, Karlin A (1969) Acetylcholine receptor: covalent attachment of depolarizing groups at the active site Science164: 1420-1