Lecture 5- CNS Neurotransmitters Flashcards
list 7 of the most important small molecule neurotransmitters.
acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA, glycine, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin
how many different neuropeptides are there and how large are they?
over a hundred
typically 3-36 AA long
how is the concentration of neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft regulated?
neurotransmitter synthesis, packaging, release and removal
what terminates synaptic transmission?
removal of the NT from the synaptic cleft
where are small molecule and neurotransmitters synthesized and packaged? what implication does this have on replenishment in times of increased demand?
small molecule- in the nerve terminal
neuropeptides- in the soma
small molecules are quickly made to be distributed while it takes longer for peptide synthesis and transport
why can small molecule NT synthesis be called slower than peptide NT synthesis?
because, initially the protein making machinery must be made in the soma and transported to the nerve terminal
describe the structure of an ionotropic neurotransmitter receptor.
ligand gated ion channels that consist of 4 or 5 subunits with 3-4 transmembrane domains each
what causes the diversity of receptors for a single neurotransmitter?
multiple different types of subunits
describe the structure of metabotropic receptors.
they are G protein coupled receptors that are monomeric and contain 7 transmembrane domains
how are metabotropic and ionotropic receptors similar in their effect?
modulation of ion channels
metabotropic receptors modulate ion channels directly or indirectly
what do the different subunits of ionotropic receptors contribute to?
they give the receptor distinct properties
what are the two main contributing factors to diversity of metabotropic receptors?
the receptor type and the G protein that it is coupled to
where is acetylcholine present in the peripheral nervous system?
at the neuromuscular junction and in the synapses of ganglia in the autonomic nervous system
in what two locations is ACh found in the CNS?
in interneurons in the brainstem and forebrain and in large neurons in the basal forebrain that project to the cerebral cortex
what are the four CNS functions of ACh?
in attention, arousal, reward plasticity and enhancing sensory functions upon waking
describe the synthesis and packaging of ACh.
synthesize din nerve terminal from acetyl CoA and choline and packaged into synaptic vesicles by an ACh transporter
what happens to ACh after it is released into the synaptic cleft?
it is cleaved by acetylcholinesterase into acetate and choline. the choline is taken back into the nerve terminal and recycled
what poison inhibits ACh function and how?
organophosphates such as sarin gas inhibits AChE and causes ACh accumulation at the synapse. results in muscle paralysis because the continued depolarization of the postsynaptic cell makes it refractory
which ACh receptors are ionotropic and which are muscarinic? where are they located?
ionotropic- nicotinic; located in the neuromuscular junction and in CNS
metabotropic- muscarinic; in the forebrain and peripheral ganglia of the autonomic nervous system
what are two muscarinic antagonists that can be used therapeutically?
atropine-pupil dilation
scopolamine- for motion sickness
what are the symptoms of myasthenia gravis?
muscle fatigability worsening late in the day and improving with rest, diploplia, ptosis, and difficulty with speaking and swallowing
what is the cause of myasthenia gravis?
antibodies directed against the muscular nicotinic receptors decreasing their quantity
what are three differences of the NMJ in patients with myasthenia gravis?
decreased concentration of ACh receptors, sparese and shallow junctional folds and an expanded synaptic cleft
what is the effect myasthenia gravis on muscle function?
decreases the size of MEPP and EPP’s, decreases the probability of muscular action potential. the action potential decreases in size during repeated stimulation
what are four treatments of myesthenia gravis?
cholinesterase inhibitors, thymectomy, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants
what is the most prominent transmitter for normal brain function?
glutamate
what problem can glutamate cause to neurons?
can cause excitotoxicity which can excite a neuron to death
when is excitotoxicity most often seen? what can be used to prevent it?
thought to cause damage during stroke when oxygen deprivation slows glutamate reuptake. may be treated with glutamate receptor antagonists in the future
what is glutamate synthesized from and where? why is it not just transported into the cell?
synthesized from glutamine or by the transamination of alpha ketoglutarate in the nerve terminal. glutamate cannot cross the blood brain barrier
what happens to glutamate after it is released into the synapse?
it is removed by high affinity transporters in the nerve terminal and nearby glial cells. the glial cells convert the glutamate back into glutamine and transport it back into the nerve terminal