Chapter 12: GABA/Glutamate Flashcards
What ions are induced in what direction by inhibitory neurotransmitters?
K+ efflux, Cl- influx, close Ca+2 channels
What ions are induced in what direction by excitatory neurotransmitters?
Na+ influx, Ca+2 influx, close K+ channels
What amino acid is GABA made from, and what is the enzyme & cofactor that forms it?
glutamate –(GAD aka Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase + vit B6)–> GABA
What does GABA get broken down to and by what enzyme?
–(GABA-transferase)–> succinic semialdehyde–>succinic acid
What is reformed in the Krebs cycle to make more GABA, and by what enzyme?
–(GABA-transferase)–> alpha-ketoglutarate
Name the 5 main substrates of the GABA cycle, from what is the 1st “ingredient” to the last breakdown product
- alpha-ketoglutarate
- glutamate
- GABA
- succinic semialdehyde
- succinic acid (–> go to Krebs cycle and reform #1)
What is the GABA(A) receptor made of, and what does it let in?
two alpha, two beta, and one gamma subunit. Lets in Cl- thru central pore when GABA binds to 2 sites
What is different about GABA receptors in neonates?
The Cl- gradient is reversed (Cl- EFFlux instead), causing DEpolarization instead of hyperpolarization. This means drugs that work on GABA in neonates will have EXCITATORY effect instead of inhibitory!
What effect does increasing concentrations of GABA have on channel conduction?
Induce greater Cl- currents and more rapid receptor densensitization (so, increase both “strength” and “speed”)
What effect do do oleamide (fatty acid amide found in sleep deprived animals) and neurosteroids deoxycorticosterone and progesterone have on GABA?
Cause increased GABA receptor activation
Where is GABA(c) found?
retina
Where is GABA(B) found, and what channels does it act on?
spinal cord.
activates K+ channels, inhibits Ca+2 channels
What two receptors does ethanol act on?
GABA(A) (increasing Cl- influx) and NMDA (inhibiting glutamate effects)
What drug alleviates insomnia and incapacitates individuals against their will?
chloral hydrate
What two drugs are abused for “date rape”?
gamma hydroxybutyric acid (supposed to be for narcolepsy)
- flunitrazepam (for amnesia)
If it is not recycled from the Krebs cycle, what else can glutamate be synthesized from, and from what cells?
glutamine, from glial cells
What are the three main subtypes of inotropic glutamate-gated ion channels, and what ions do they permit?
1) AMPA (Na+ influx)
2) kainate receptors (Na+ influx, K+ efflux)
3) NMDA (Na+ & Ca+2 influx, K+ efflux)
What do you need to bind to open NMDA receptors, and what block will be taken off by depolarization?
need simultaneous glycine & glutamate binding; will relieve Mg+2 block
What are the functions of the 3 main groups of metabotropic glutamate receptors ?
Group I: EXCITATION:increases PLC and increases cAMP.
Group II & III: INHIBITION: decreases cAMP
Elevated glutamate in what diseases/conditions?
Huntington’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s, ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, hyperalgesia (probs), epilepsy
What is the mechanism by which glutamate elevation in stroke and trauma lead to neuronal cell death?
Ca+2 influx activates Ca+2 dependent degradation enzymes (DNAses, proteases, PLases, etc)
What is the pathogenesis of hyperalgesia?
central sensitization: repeated stimuli increase excitatory postsynaptic responses (more Ca+2 allowed to enter thru AMPA receptors)