Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Discuss Type 1 asymmetric synapse.
WIde cleft
Large postsynaptic density
Asymmetric conformation between synaptic cleft and active zone
type 1 at the spine of dendrites and shaft
Usually excitatory- glutamate
Discuss Type 2 symmetric cleft.
- tiny active zone
- narrow synaptic cleft
- symmetric conformation between synaptic cleft and active zone
- cell bodies are where GABA functions much closer to the axon hillock)
Usually inhibitory
Define neurotransmitters.
Chemical substance
end of nerve fibers
from nerve impulse
Transfers impulse to target structure, via diffusion through synapse.
Give examples of Amines.
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Melatonin
Histamine
Give examples of Catecholamines.
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Give examples of peptides.
Substance P
Oxytocin
Vasopressin
Somatostatin
Neuropeptide Y
Cholecystokinin
Give examples of Amino Acids.
GABA (γ-amino-butyric acid)
Glutamate
Glycine
Aspartate
Give examples of Purines.
ATP
Adenosine
Compare the synthesis of and storage of other neurotransmitters such as amino acids and amines to peptides.
All neutrasmitters synthesizes from precursor molecule (ribosomes/REE) -> move to golgi apparatus (vesicle packaging) -> Taken to end terminals via microtubular cytoskeleton (motor enzymes called kinesins) ->
However peptides Does not get packaged in golgi but in cytosol where an array of enzymes split it into finished neurotransmitter -> travels to end terminals where further packaged into vesicles.
What is the function of the endosome?
Endosome is a quality check. Houses as a pool till vesicles need transmitters to form.
What is clathrin?
Allows the endosome to identify the vesicle.
What is the function of dynamin?
Budding off of vesicles to endocytose.
What is difference between the classical and kiss and run mechanism of vesicles?
Classical- clathrin attaches and vesicle returns to endosome.
Kiss and run- only budding off and waits in the pre-synaptic vesicle.
Describe how an ionotropic (direct gating) works.
Neurotransmitters bind to the gate and this causes a conformation change.
Allows the influx of ions it is permeable to.
Describe the mechanism of action of metabotropic channels.
Receptor connected to a G protein.
Activates adenylyl cyclase and this produces cAMP
Produces protein kinase and this phosphorylate K+ channels
What is the life cycle of ACh?
Choline + Acetyl CoA
ChAT
removed via AChE
Where is ACh released from?
Motor neurons- somatic function
Autonomic nervous system
basal forebrain, through the cerebral cortex, neuromodulator
Describe the action of ACh that is released from somatic motor neurons.
They are released and bound to the nicotinic receptors,
there are plenty of nicotinic receptors to ensure that a response is elicited.
Describe the action of ACh in the autonomic nervous system.
Sympethatic innervation of medulla- ACh- nicotinic receptor of the adrenal medulla- release E
Sympathetic- Pre-gan- ACh- NR- Post-gan- NE
Parasympathetic- ACh- NR- ACh- Muscarinic
What are the 2 receptors of ACh?
Nicotinic and Muscarinic
Explain the effect of the ACh on muscarinic receptors.
ACH binds to receptor -> G-protein activation -> G-protein (beta-gamma) subunits bind to potassium channel and cause it to open, causing eflux of potassium ions -> hyperpolarization of cell -> takes membrane potential away from hyperpolarization to inhibit action potential
Discuss Alzheimer’s Disease.
Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain are some of the first neurons to die.
(damage causes no release of ACH in that region
-> synapse does not work, leading to neuronal cell death. Sign of Alzheimer’s disease in basal forebrain/hippocampal region)
What is the management of Alzheimer’s?
AChE inhibitors: Rivastigmine
How can Botulinum toxin cause paralysis?
Botox destroys the SNARE complex and no exocytosis of synaptic vesicles.
ACh has not been released.
No ACh for muscle contraction
Name the ions that can pass through the nicotinic receptors.
Na+ and K+
What is Dale’s Principle?
neuron performs the same chemical action at all of its synaptic connections to other cells, regardless of the identity of the target cell.
As a result, the effect depends on the receptor.
Which neurotransmitter is considered to be the major excitatory NT in the brain?
Glutamate