CNS Neurotransmitter Metabolism Flashcards
These types of proteins are involved in the docking and fusion of NT
SNARE proteins
What are the 4 categories of NT?
- biogenic amines
- amino acids
- nucleotides
- other
What are examples of biogenic amines?
- acetylcholine
- epinephrine/norepinephrine
- dopamine
- seratonin
- histamine
What are examples of amino acid NT?
- glutamate
- GABA
- glycine etc.
Examples of nucleotide NT?
- ATP
- adenosine
What are the 3 criteria required for classification as a NT?
- present
- released
- receptors present
What are zinc proteases?
enzymes that use a zinc ion and cut snare proteins, stopping vesicle fusion with membrane
2 common zinc proteases
botulinum toxin (at neuromuscular junction) tetanus toxin (at inhibitory glycine synapse)
alpha-latrotoxin
- found in spider venom
- causes vesicle fusion even when Ca2+ not present
What is the difference between synthesis and degradation of ACh?
ACh –> acetate + choline
acetyl-CoA + choline –>ACh + SH–CoA
This drug blocks mAChR activity
atropine
This drug blocks nAChR activity
curare
How is glutamate metabolized?
- glutamate is transferred from synaptic cleft into astrocyte
- Glu–>Gln
- glutamine transferred into presynaptic neuron
- Gln–>Glu
What type of receptor, if overstimulated by glutamate, causes apoptosis?
NMDA receptor
What are the two inhibitory NT in the CNS?
GABA and glycine
