Inhibition of Adenylate Cyclase: The muscarinic receptor, through interaction with an inhibitory GTP-binding protein, acts to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. Reduced cAMP production leads to reduced activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, reduced heart rate, and contraction strength.
Scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease characterized by abnormal connective tissue growth, can wreak havoc on everything from the skin and heart to lungs, teeth, speech, and movement. The overproduction of collagen causes the skin and organs to harden, leading them to atrophy and possibly fail.
On the skin, it encourages a process called glycation, a stress effect on the skin that damages collagen, hardening it, increasing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Another stress effect on the skin is dry skin, which has to do with cortisol yet again. In this case, cortisol decreases the skinâs natural production of something called hyaluronic acid, a natural moisturizer. It can also damage the skinâs protective qualities that allow it to keep hydration levels up.