2023 Flashcards
Fast axonal transport
movement of membranous organelles at rates of 200-400 mm/day along axonal microtubules in both the anterograde (carries synaptic vesicle precursors, large dense core vesicles, elements of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, protein particles carrying RNAs) and retrograde (delivers components for degradation through fusion with lysosomes and signals that regulate gene expression) directions.
Synaptic vesicle life cycle:
- Membrane components (transporters) are synthesized in the cell body, then transported via anterograde transport and fused to the plasma membrane.
- Synaptic vesicle is created via endocytosis with the proteins attached.
- Vesicle is transported to the early endosomes (EE)
- Empty vesicles bud off the EE and are loaded with neurotransmitters via active transport.
- Packed vesicle is either translocated to a large reserve pool or to the active zone on the plasma membrane (docking)
- Neurotransmitters are released to the synaptic cleft when vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane (exocytosis).
- Synaptic vesicle is recycled by endocytosis (clathrin) repeat of 2-5.
- Eventually some synaptic vesicles will be repackaged into retrograde vesicles for return to the cell body and degradation.
Canonical pathway for neurotransmitter release and recycling
- Neurotransmitter is synthesized in the cytoplasm and then packed into the synaptic vesicles via vesicular transporters.
- Synaptic vesicle with the transmitters is translocated to the active zone.
- The vesicle docks on the active zone (SNARE proteins).
- Vesicle is being primed (ATP)
- Ca ion efflux into the neuron leads to vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane and exocytosis – release of neurotransmitters.
- Endocytosis of the empty vesicle guided by clathrins.
- Loss of clathrins and active transport facilitating ATPase insertion.
- The vesicle fuses with the early endosome.
- Vesicle buds of the EE and is reused again.
Kiss and run
- Neurotransmitter uptake
- Translocation to the active zone (SNARE)
- Docking on the active zone
- Priming
- Ca initiated NT release (exocytosis)
- Clathrin guided endocytosis
- Loss of clathrins and addition of ATPase
- The vesicle is loaded with neurotransmitters again
kiss and stay
- Neurotransmitter uptake
- Translocation to the active zone (SNARE)
- Docking on the active zone
- Priming
- Ca initiated NT release (exocytosis)
- Clathrin guided endocytosis
- Loss of clathrins
- Vesicle doesn’t leave the active zone, docks and is loaded with NT, is primed again, releases NT
Neuropeptide, monoamine vs small neurotransmitter
Neuropeptide is synthesized in the cell body and carried via anterograde transport to the release site maturing in the transported vesicle. Neuropeptides are modulatory and no recycling of the neuropeptides, precursors or dense-core vesicles. Can be released from any point in the neuron, requires higher stimulation as is further from Ca efflux site.
Neuropeptide synthesis
Synthesized in the cell body as pre-propeptides, if no pre signaling tail attached, packed into dense-core vesicles and transported via anterograde transport. Final form of neuropeptide is achieved after maturation in the vesicles during transport until it reaches the release site.
Transporter types:
- Ion channels (regulated by voltage, ligand, phosphorylation) – fast transport
- Passive transporters – diffusion.
- Active transporters – interact with their substrates, energy source coupled.
a. Primary active transport – ATPases
b. Secondary or flux coupled transport – symporters, antiporters.
Efficacy
ability to initiate change.
ionotropic receptors
Ionotropic receptors are composed of multiple subunits each consisting of 4 transmembrane domains. Mediates fast synaptic transmission via substrate binding which elicits ion channel opening and leads to polarization or hyperpolarization of the membrane.
Guanylyl cyclase receptors
have a single transmembrane domain. Agonist binding leads to activation of guanylyl cyclase catalytic region. Decrease in cGMP leads to closing of cGMP gated cation channels (visual, olfactory systems).
Tyrosine kinase receptors
consist of single transmembrane domain. Agonist binding causes receptor dimerization leading to stimulation of the catalytic region – autophosphorylation. Signaling cascade.
G protein coupled receptors
G protein coupled receptors consist of 7 transmembrane domains and activates guanosine triphosphate binding proteins which leads to second messenger cascade (regulation of K and Ca channel conductance, adenylyl cyclase activity, PI-PLC activation and production of IP3.
Acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction
a. ACh is released from the presynaptic neuron
b. ACh binds to ligand-gated Na channel
c. Depolarization of the end-plate membrane
d. Opening of Na voltage gated channels
e. Action potential at the sarcolemma of muscle fiber
f. Contraction
- ACh in the autonomic nervous system
a. Myelinated efferent preganglionic neurons of the sympathetic and parasympathetic NS synapse on the postganglionic neurons activating nicotinic ACh receptors.
b. Signal travels through the unmyelinated postganglionic neuron which synapses onto the end organ, parasympathetic neuron on muscarinic ACh receptors and the sympathetic neuron releases norepinephrine on adrenoceptors.
ACh in the CNS
a. The interneurons in the striatum
b. Basal forebrain cholinergic complex – ascending arousal system (projects to olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, habenula, amygdala)
c. Pontomesencephalotegmental cholinergic complex – locomotion, sleep, attention, posture (projects to thalamus, tectum, habenula, vta, cerebellum, vestibular and cranial nerve nuclei.
Acetylcholine synthesis
Choline + Acetyl CoA → Ach + CoA (by acetyltransferase (ChAT))
ACh degradation
ACh + H2O → Choline + Acetate (by acetylcholinesterase (AChE))
ACh cycle
- Choline transport protein (ChT, Na/Cl symporter) transports Ch into the cytoplasm.
- Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) synthetizes ACh from choline and acetylCoA (also could be synthetized from breaking down phosphatidylcholine).
- ACh is uptaken into vesicles via vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT).
- ACh is released into the synaptic cleft vie exocytosis.
- ACh is broken down into choline and acetate by acetylcholinesterase (AChE).
nACh
nACh receptors are composed of pentameric subunits (at least 2 α) crossing the membrane 4 times. α5 subunit influences Ca permeability. At least 2 ACh are required to bind for activation (α β for neurons). In neurons usually present in a ratio of 3α:2β.
mACh receptors
mACh receptors composed of one unit consisting of 7 subunits crossing the membrane. Can be both post and presynaptic, in the neuromuscular junction are expressed on the presynaptic neurons as inhibitory autoreceptors. M1, M3, M5 stimulation of phospholipase C (postsynaptic)(cerebral cortex, striatum, thalamus, brainstem) – elevates Ca, M2, M4 – inhibition of AC (post and presynaptic) (cerebral cortex, striatum, hypothalamus) - affects channel activity.
Norepinephrine cell groups
(A1-7):
* The dorsal bundle (locus coeruleus) (A4-6)– projects to cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, brainstem and spinal cord. Ascending arousal system, vigilance and responsiveness to unexpected stimuli.
* The lateral ventral tegmental fields (A5-7) – project to the spinal cord and hypothalamus. Belong to the reticular formation, modulating autonomic reflexes and pain sensation.
* Medullary group (A1-2) – project to hypothalamus, concerned with autonomic functions.
Dopamine cell groups
(A8-17):
* Nigrostriatal pathway (A8,9) – from substantia nigra projects towards striatum for movement initiation, compulsive behaviour, habit formation.
* Mesocorticolimbic pathway (A10) – from VTA to frontal and temporal cortex, the limbic structures of the basal forebrain. Play a role in reward, motivation, emotion and memory.
* Minor cell groups:
o A11 and A13 – in the hypothalamus project to the autonomic areas of lower brainstem and spinal cord – regulation of the sympathetic preganglionic neurons.
o A12,14,15 – components of the endocrine system. Prolactin and gonadotrophin regulation.
o A17 – retina
o A16 – olfactory bulb
Synthesis of catecholamines:
Tyrosine -> (TH) L-DOPA -> (DDC) dopamine.
Dopamine -> (DBH) Norepinephrine -> (PNMT) Epinephrine
Tyrosine hydroxylase, dopa-decarboxylase, dopamine β-hydroxylase, PNMT
Catecholamine transporters
DAT, NET (Na, Cl symporter) (12 membrane crossing subunits)
VMAT - active transport
Catecholamine degradation
MAO, COMT
(dopamine metabolites DOPAC and HVA)
catechol-O-methyltransferase
Dopamine receptors
All dopamine receptors are metabotropic. D1 activation stimulates (only postsynaptic) AC (cerebral cortex. Striatum, hypothalamus), D2 inhibits AC (post and pre synaptic)(frontal cortex, striatum, hypothalamus, brainstem) – reduces Ca channel opening and membrane depolarization.
Adrenergic receptors
All adrenergic (NE and adrenaline) receptors are metabotropic. α1 receptors stimulate phospholipase C (post and pre) (cerebral cortex and cerebellum) - , α2 inhibits AC activity (post and pre (autoreceptor)) (hippocampus, thalamus, locus coeruleus) – lower Ca and β receptors stimulate AC (post, pre (facilitatory autoreceptors) (Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hypothalamus) – weaken the stress on vascular system, minimize tremor.