Neurotransmitters Flashcards
How is acetylcholine synthesized?
Acetyl CoA and choline which are loaded into vesicles by ACh transporter
What kind of transporter is an ACh transporter?
Hydrogen antiporter
Where is Ach most commonly found?
In all motor neurons, ANS, and play a role in Alzheimer’s in CNS neurons
What is an organophosphate?
the toxin causes inhibition acetylcholinesterase (AChE) resulting in the accumulation of acetylcholine in the synapse
What are nicotinic receptors?
A type of ionotropic receptor made up of 5 subunits (a and b found in CNS)
How is the nicotinic receptor activated?
2 Ach molecules need to bind to an alpha subunit
What is a muscarinic receptor?
Metabotropic (GPCR) receptors
What is a vGlut transporter?
an antiporter that uses H+ gradient to move glutamate into vesicles
What is an excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT)?
a symporter that move glutamate by allowing 2 Na+ ions into cell and responsible for reuptake
What is an AMPA receptor?
ionotropic receptors which allow for the influx of sodium leading to very fast transmission
What are NMDA receptors?
voltage-dependent ionotropic receptors with a Mg blocked pore to prevent the influx of calcium
What is unique about NMDA receptors?
they necessitate both the binding of glutamate and the depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane for full activation and glycine as a co-agonist
What are the 3 classes of glutamate metabotropic receptors?
Gi, Go, Gq
How is GABA synthesized?
GAD requires requires co-factor pyridoxal phosphate to turn glutamate into GABA
How is GABA packaged into vesicles?
vesicular inhibitory AA Transpoter (VIAAT)
How is GABA re-uptaken?
GAT where it is degraded by multiple enzymes
What are GABA-A receptors?
Ionotropic chloride receptors made up of 5 subunits that bind to depressants via 2a2b1y
What are GABA-B receptors?
inhibitory metabotropic receptors that are dimers of B1 and 2
What is glycine?
ionotropic chloride channels found in the spinal cord that are blocked by strychnine
What is Tyrosine Hydroxylase?
The rate limiting enzyme in synthesis of dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine
What is vMAT?
Vesicular monoamine transporter loading neurotransmitter into vesicles
How is DAT, NET, and SET broken down?
Recycled or broken down in cell by Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) & or catechol o-methyltransferase (COMT)
Where is norepinephrine found?
In locus coeruleus and plays a role in sympathetic nervous system
Where is epinephrine found?
Lateral tegmental system and adrenal medulla
