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
This enzyme is the rate limiting step in the synthesis of biogenic amine?
tyrosine hydroxylase
Homovanillic acid is the metabolite of what NT?
dopamine
Tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate limiting step of the synthesis of what class of NT?
biogenic amines
