muscle NMJ and choline Flashcards
distance and transmission time of NMJ
50nm gap between presynaptic terminal and post synaptic density
Delay of >500us between terminal release and muscle contraction
how does curare affect the NMJ
curare acts as a competitive inhibitor for ACh at the post synaptic terminal
how does alpha -bungarotoxin affect the NMJ
Alpha -bungarotoxin is known to bind competitively and in a relatively irreversible manner to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor found at the neuromuscular junction, causing paralysis, respiratory failure, and death in the victim.
structure and function of nAChR
Pentamers of two alpha subunits with a beta theta and delta subunit
Each has two Ach binding sights on interface of Alpha and other subunits
Opening of channels increases membrane permibility for Na+and K+
where are nAChRs and voltage gated Na+ channels located on the post synaptic membrane?
nAChRs are localized in post synaptic density opposing presynaptic membrane
Voltage gated sodium channels are located in folds of the neuromuscular junction.
comment on the end plate potential compared with an action potential in a myocyte
End plate potential smaller than action potential but fires in similar structure
how can vesicles be imaged at the synapse
Because of active loading of synapes vesicles are verry acidic, and hence ph imaging can be used to monitor vesicles at a synapse
describe life cycle of a synaptic vesicle
Adapter protein bind to clathrin causing blebbing of the membrane
Dynamin acts as molecular scissors separating vesicle from membrane
> bind with endosome
> active acid loading then loading with neurotransmitter
Synapsin holds full vesicles in non membranous fluid density region
Synaptotagmin Binds with snare proteins and holds vesicle by membrane
Ca2+ release triggers fusing with the membrane
name and explain the function of the vesicular and membranous snare proteins
vesicular:
synaptobrevin- binds with SNAP-25 and syntaxin to hold the vesicle in place for release
synaptotagmin- is basis of Ca2+ sensing mechanism changes conformation to fuse with the membrane in presence of Ca2+
membranous:
SNAP-25 and syntaxin both function to hold the vesicles ready for docking
state the location and function of acetyl choline esterase
The basal lamina is very rich in AChE acetylcholinesterase which breaks down ACh rapidly in the neuromuscular junction. Ach is broken down into choline and acetic acid
how does the NMJ achieve high fidelity
Probability of any docked vesicle
being released <0.02
BUT
The entire frog NMJ has a total of 14,000–28,000 docked vesicles
350 vesicles released after every action potential
-> reliable suprathreshold response
how does botulinum toxin work
it is up taken in vesicles then cleaves snare proteins in the presynaptic terminal preventing neurotransmitter release
what is neuromyotonia
Autoimmune neuromyotonia is typically caused by antibodies that bind to potassium channels on the motor nerve resulting in continuous/hyper-excitability. Onset is typically seen between the ages of 15–60, with most experiencing symptoms before the age of 40.
what is myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease associated with antibodies directed to the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor. These antibodies reduce the number of receptors. Autoantibodies against AChR and other muscle antigens can be used for the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis and related disorders.
what is lambert-eaton myathenic syndrome?
Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by proximal muscle weakness and autonomic symptoms. Approximately 60% of cases are paraneoplastic. Antibodies to presynaptic voltage gated calcium channels of the P/Q–type are detected in 92% of LEMS patients.
define sarcolema
The sarcolemma is the plasma membrane of the muscle cell
what is a sarcomere
the contractile unit of muscle cells
what is the z line and what purpose does it serve
Main function to bind sarcomeres together
Protine dense region many other functions
what is the M line
the m line binds heavy myosin chains together it also contains creatine kinase
what is the A band
consists of the darker area of overlapped myosin and actin with the M line at the center
what is the I band
the I band consists of the exposed actin centered around the very dark line of the Z band
describe structure of a triad
two loops of the SR coupled by proteins spanning the 35nm gap to a central t-tubule