Molecular Neuro Flashcards
how is conditioned fear inhibited
addition of NMDA receptor antagonist
what parts of protein synthesis is regulated by nerve activity
gene expression
RNA maturation
RNA splicing
protein transport
what converts glutamate into GABA
glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)
difference between glutamate and GABA
glutamate:
natural amino acid
excitatory
GABA:
synthesised
inhibitory
where is the GAD gene selectively expressed
in the GABA neuron
what terminals are each the axon and the dendrite
axon - presynaptic nerve terminal
dendrite - postsynaptic nerve terminal
how is the polarity of the microtubules organised in the dendrite vs the axon
dendrite - the microtubules are positioned bidirectionally
axon - microtubules are unidirectional, positive ends facing presynaptic terminals
in a neuron where is the actin often associated
at the terminal regions
what is Tau and where is it located
regulatory protein found in the axon
stabilises the axon
what is MAP 2 and where is it located
microtubule associated protein 2 is a regulatory protein found in the dendrite which stabilises the microtubules
structure of a Na+ channel
made up of one protein sequence that contains 4 domains
each domain has a voltage sensor and 1/4 of the pore
what are the thresholds for in/activation of Na+ channels
activation - -50mV
inactivation - 0mV
structure of a K+ channel
made up of one protein sequence that contains 1 domain
each domain has a voltage sensor and a 1/4 of the pore, they come together to form a tetramer to make a functional channel
what are the thresholds for in/activation of K+ channels
activation - 0mV
inactivation - +50mV
what is an electrical synapse
a signal passes a direct electrical flow between two cells
what is a chemical synapse
electrical signal is converted to a chemical signal, then back to an electrical signal
what is synaptotagmin
Ca2+ is recognised by a protein that binds Ca2+ and undergoes conformational change
what acts as fusion promoting proteins in the pre-synaptic bulb
snare proteins
vesicles
how is fusion promoted in the pre-synaptic bulb
Ca2+ bound synaptotagmin promotes vesicle and plasma-membrane snare proteins to complex using protein interactions which promotes fusion
where are major excitatory synapses located and what do they use as a transmitter
dendrites
glutamate
where are the major inhibitory synapses and what are the transmitters used
cell body
use glycine or GABA
difference between glutamatergic and glycine/GABA synapses
glutamatergic - asymmetrical, store glutamate
GABA/glycine - symmetrical, store glycine
features of glutamate receptor
Four subunits to make ion channel
Glutamate binding site on outside
Cation Channel
Bind to molecules like PSD-95 on inside
postsynaptic cell.
features of glycine receptor
Five Subunits to make ion channel
Glycine binding site on outside
Anion Channel
Bind to Gephyrin on the inside
postsynaptic cell
difference between neuroligin 1/2
1 - postsynaptic glutamatergic tag
2 - postsynaptic glycinergic tag
glutamate receptor: causal disease indication, reason and drug target
disease indication - cognitive decline
reason - major routes for brain communication
drug target - activators act against decline, inhibitors act against over-excitation
PSD-95: causal disease indication, reason, drug target
disease indication - stroke
reason - support over activity of glutamate receptors
drug target - novel approach reduce function by preventing PSD-95 from binding to receptors
glycine receptors: causal disease indication, reason, drug target
disease indication - hyperekplexia
reason - mutation prevent proper glycine function thus reduced inhibition
drug target - receptor regulators used in pain and muscle relaxants
gephyrin (organise inhibition): causal disease indication, reason, drug target
disease indication - stiffman’s syndrome
reason - auto-antibodies against molecule of inhibitory synapses
drug target - IV introduction of IgG, modulate inhibition
neurexin/neuroligin: causal disease indication, reason, drug target
disease indication - autism and schizophrenia
reason - mutations effect synapse development
drug target - gene therapy, modulate activity
