Neurotransmitters Flashcards
How is electrical information transmitted across a synapse?
Release of neurotransmitters, and their interaction with post-synaptic receptors
What are the three stages of synaptic transmission?
Biosynthesis, packaging and release of neurotransmitter
Receptor action
Inactivation: Cleavage of neurotransmitter from synaptic cleft
What are the different types of neurotransmitters?
Amino acids (GABA)
Amines (NA and Dopamine)
Neuropeptides (Opioids)
What is the effect of calcium ion influx within the presynaptic knob?
Stimulates vesicular fusion with presynaptic membrane via the vesicular adherent proteins, causes exocytosis of neurotransmitter
How are neurotransmitters released?
Released in quanta
How fast is electromechanical transduction?
200 microseconds
How are neurotransmitter removed from the synaptic cleft?
Neurotransmitter channel
Transporter reuptake proteins
Hydrolysed by enzyme
Where are synaptic vesicles docked?
Synaptic zone
How are neurotransmitters pumped into synaptic vesicles?
Associated protein pumps
How does exocytosis occur?
Special proteins on the vesicle and presynaptic membrane form a protein complex with cytoplasmic protein enables fusion.
What is the purpose of vesicular proteins?
Assist docking of vesicles to the presynaptic membrane, scudded by priming and fusion.
What happens to the vesicular membrane upon exocytosis?
Migrates to synaptic zone, and buds into the presynaptic terminal, absorbed into a cistern.
What effect does alpha-latrotoxin exert on neurotransmitters?
Stimulates transmitter release to depletion. Binds to cholinergic receptors, interrupting with cholinergic transmission
Triggers exocytosis ACh in neurosecretory cells attributed to pore formation within the presynaptic membrane contributing towards Ca2+ ion influx, via alpha latrotoxin induced channels
What channels are formed within the presynaptic membrane in response to alpha-latrotoxin?
Alpha-latrotoxin induced channels
Which type of endopeptidases inhibit transmitter release?
Zinc-dependent endopeptidases
How does botulism toxin C cause flaccid paralysis?
Cholinergic nerve terminal, endopeptidase hydrolyses vesicular protein, hence this prevents the synaptic vesicles from docking and fusion to the presynaptic membrane- inhibition of acetylcholine release
What effect does Tetanus toxin C exert?
Binds to presynaptic membrane of neuromuscular junction, internalised and transported retoaxonally to the spinal cord
Blockage of neurotransmitter release from spinal inhibitory interneurones
What type of receptors induces a fast response?
Ion-channel receptors
How is a response elicited?
Influx of ions contribute towards altering the electrochemical gradients, and polarity of the cell, hyperpolarsaition and depolarisation of membrane elicits a response
Which receptors are examples of ion channel receptors?
Nicotinic cholinergic receptors
Glutamate
GABA
Glycine receptors
Which type of receptors elicit a slow response?
G-coupled receptor
What effects are elicited by G-coupled receptors?
Membrane intrinsic enzymes (Adenyl cyclase phospholipase C)
Or ion channels (Ca2+)
G coupled proteins involve sequential actions of phosphorylation and dissociation that resulting the formation of a secondary messenger (transcription factor), elucidate a response to electrical signals
What are the examples of G-coupled receptors?
ACh at muscarininic receptors Dopamine Noradrenaline Serotonin Neuropeptides
What is an excitatory neurotransmitter receptor?
Influx of positively charged ions (Na+)
Results in depolarisation of post-synaptic membrane, increasing positive charge in the post synaptic cell, exceeds the threshold level, an action potential is triggered - travels along the postsynaptic neurone
What are inhibitory post-synaptic potentials?
Occurs during an influx of negative ions (Cl-) reducing the tendency of the stimulation of an action potential in the postsynaptic fibre
What are the two types of glutamate receptors?
AMPA and NMDA receptors
What are AMPA- receptors?
Alpha-amino-3 hydroxy-5-metyl- 4 isoazole propionic acid
Majority of fast excitatory synapses. Rapid onset, offstent and densification. Overstimulation can cause inactivation of receptor
ENABLES NA ion influx
What are NMDA receptor?
N-methyl-D-aspartate. Slow component of excitatory transmission. Serves as coincidence detectors, underlie learning mechanisms
Selectively stimulates NMDA receptors, allow both CA and sodium intracellular influx