Muscarine

Muscarine is a toxic alkaloid found in certain mushrooms. It activates muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, producing effects associated with excessive parasympathetic activity.

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Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor: A G protein-coupled receptor activated by acetylcholine and muscarine. Muscarine produces its effects by activating this receptor family.
Inocybe: A genus of mushrooms that includes species capable of causing muscarine poisoning. Many documented muscarine poisonings follow ingestion of Inocybe mushrooms.
Atropine: A competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, used to treat several forms of cholinergic poisoning. It can reverse muscarinic effects in symptomatic muscarine poisoning.
Alkaloid: A naturally occurring nitrogen-containing organic compound, often with pronounced biological activity. Muscarine is a naturally occurring alkaloid with strong receptor activity.
Acetylcholine: A neurotransmitter used by neurons at neuromuscular junctions and throughout the autonomic and central nervous systems. Muscarine mimics acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors but is not rapidly broken down by acetylcholinesterase.
Clitocybe: A genus of mushrooms that includes muscarine-containing species. Some Clitocybe species are another source of clinically important muscarine exposure.
Cholinergic toxidrome: A clinical pattern caused by excessive cholinergic signaling, including secretions, gastrointestinal symptoms, and altered heart rate. Muscarine poisoning is a receptor-selective form of cholinergic toxicity.
Mushroom: The spore-producing fruiting body of a fungus, often visible above ground or on wood. Certain mushroom species accumulate muscarine in their fruiting bodies.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: A ligand-gated ion channel activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Unlike acetylcholine, muscarine selectively activates muscarinic rather than nicotinic receptors.
Amanita muscaria: A conspicuous mushroom whose principal intoxicating compounds are ibotenic acid and muscimol. Its name suggests muscarine, but it is not the principal cause of muscarine poisoning.