signal transduction and receptor pharmacology Flashcards
1
Q
morphology of the neuromuscular junction
A
- myelin sheath ends, leaving a bare nerve terminal
- nerve terminal contains synaptic vesicles and mitochondria, which cluster around active zone
- active zone is aligned with a junctional fold in the muscle, containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
- fibrous matrix between nerve and muscle contains acetylcholinesterase
2
Q
end plate potential
A
local muscle depolarization produced by release of Ach
3
Q
pre-synaptic processes of the skeletal NMJ
A
1 AP => ACh released from ~100 vesicles
- Ach containing vesicle is tethered to the nerve ending membrane via the SNAREs of the fusion machine
- depolarization caused by nerve AP opens voltage gated Ca2+ channels on the presynaptic neuron membrane
- Ca2+ travels down its electrochemical gradients, entering the nerve ending and binding synaptotagmin Ca2+ sensor on the fusion machine
- Conformational change induced by Ca2+ binding causes SNARE primed vesicle to release NT contents via exocytosis
4
Q
post-synaptic processes of the skeletal NMJ
A
- Ach diffuses across 40 nm synaptic cleft and reacts with its nicotinic receptor (ligand gated, non-selective cation channel)
- Very rapidly, the non-selective cation channel opens
- Na+ flows down its electrochemical gradient into the cell, depolarizing the end plate membrane
- The end plate potential generates a muscle action potential which propagates along the muscle causing contraction
- AChE degrades ACh and terminates its activity
5
Q
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) pharmacology
A
- compound found in pufferfish
- inhibitor of somatic PNS
- blocks voltage gated Na+ channels
- prevents initiation of APs in nerves (pre-NMJ) AND in skeletal muscle (post-NMJ)
6
Q
Mg2+ and polyvalent cation pharmacology
A
- inhibitor of somatic PNS
- compete with Ca2+ at the pre-NMJ Ca2+ channel
- reduce ACh release by reducing Ca2+ sensing
7
Q
Aminoglycoside (side effect) pharmacology
A
- inhibitor of somatic PNS
- reduce Ca2+ entry through pre-NMJ Ca2+ channel
- reduced ACh release
8
Q
Botulinum toxin type A pharmacology
A
- inhibitor of somatic PNS
- from clostridium botulinum
- cleaves the SNARE SNAP-25, preventing the priming of ACh release machinery
- prevents ACh release
- used to treat spasticity
9
Q
Tubocurarine pharmacology
A
- inhibitor of somatic PNS
- south american indian arrow poison
- competitive inhibitor of ACh at nicotinic receptors at the NMJ
- non-depolarizing blocker
10
Q
“-curonium” drug (rocuronium and vecuronium) pharmacology
A
- inhibitor of somatic PNS
- competitive inhibitor of ACh at nicotinic receptors at the NMJ
- non-depolarizing blocker
- used to relax skeletal muscle in surgery
11
Q
succinylcholine (SUX) pharmacology
A
- inhibitor of somatic PNS
- inhibits nicotinic receptors AFTER depolarizing the muscle
- depolarizing blocker
- rapid action => used to relax skeletal muscles for intubation
12
Q
myasthenia gravis
A
- nicotinic receptors of the somatic PNS are destroyed by circulating antibodies
- patients readily fatigued
13
Q
neostigmine pharmacology
A
- reversible AChE inhibitor => enhances synaptic transmission
- speeds recovery from a non-depolarizing block after surgery
- used to treat myasthenia gravis
14
Q
sarin pharmacology
A
- irreversible AChE inhibitor => enhances synaptic transmission => nerve gas
15
Q
structural elements of the ANS
A
- preganglionic nerve fibers with cell bodies in CNS
- autonomic ganglia = site of neuro-neuronal synapse outside CNS; receptors here are nicotinic
- postganglionic nerve fibers with cell bodies in the autonomic ganglia
- neuroeffector junction = post-ganglionic nerve terminals synapsing with effector organs = targets for clinically used drugs!!