Lecture 10: The Tripartite Synapse

Question 1

Astrocytes and other glia rely on what to release intracellular calcium stores?

Answer 1

g protein coupled receptors (GCPRs)

Question 2

G protein coupled receptors are activated by __________ that are released during synaptic transmission.

Answer 2

neurotransmitters

Question 3

Intracellular calcium ions mobilize the molecular machinery needed by what?

Answer 3

the astrocytes to modulate synaptic function

Question 4

Presynaptic activity results in release of ________ into synaptic cleft

Answer 4

glutamate

Question 5

What is the role of glutamate in postsynaptic receptors?

Answer 5

it excites postsynaptic excitatory receptors

Question 6

What removes glutamate from synaptic cleft?

Answer 6

Excitatory amino acid transporters, which are highly expressed on astrocytes

Question 7

Where is D-serine produced and what’s its function?

Answer 7

astrocytes, used as a co-transmitter on NMDA receptors

Question 8

Describe the steps of astrocytic release of glutamate

Answer 8

Calcium mediates release

Reversal of glutamate transporters

Glutamate transporter

Activation of receptors that can release astrocytic glutamate

Question 9

During ischemia or mechanical damage, what do astrocytes do?

Answer 9

reactive astrocytes often show increased intracellular calcium and release inflammatory factors

Question 10

What does high concentrations of glutamate in the synaptic cleft cause?

Answer 10

over activation of AMPA and NMDA receptors, leading to high internal caicium then cell death