The effect of lobeline on rat alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic receptors expressed in COS cells was studied using the patch-clamp technique. We found that the effect of lobeline is complex and varies with applied concentration and the application scheme.
The causes of the variable lobeline manifestation (potentiation, inhibition) are different binding and unbinding rates and differences in the affinity of lobeline to individual functional states of nicotinic receptors.