Unit 2 Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
List 3 forms of extracellular signals?
Chemical
Electrical
Mechanical
What are the 4 classifications of receptors?
Ion channel
G-Protein Coupled Receptor
Enzyme Linked Receptor
Intracellular receptor
Describe an ion channel
Example
An ion conducting pore that opens and closes to control ions flowing along their concentration gradient.
Voltage-gated sodium channel in the neuron
What are the 2 ways a GPCR can work?
Example
- It opens or closes an ion channel
- It activates or inhibits an enzyme inside the cell
Alpha-1 receptor in vascular smooth muscle
Describe an enzyme linked receptor.
Example
The receptor is also an enzyme
At rest the catalytic domain is inactive
When the signal binds the catalytic domain becomes activated
Insulin receptor in skeletal muscle (linked to tyrosine kinase)
Describe an intracellular receptor.
Examples
A signal diffuses through the cell membrane and binds to the receptor located inside the cell.
Steroids bind to receptors in the cytoplasm
Thyroid hormone binds to receptors in the cell nucleus
What is the general flow of events with a GPCR?
First messenger > GPCR > Effector > Second messenger > Cellular response
What is a ligand (GPCR)?
The first messenger that binds to the GPCR. Can be endogenous or exogenous.
Where is the GPCR?
In the cell membrane, making it accessible from outside the membrane
How many subunits does the G-protein have?
3:
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
What is the function of the protein on the GPCR?
The G-protein either stimulates or inhibits an effector (enzyme or channel)
What are the G-proteins? What do each do?
Gs: stimulatory
Gq: stimulatory
Gi: inhibitory
What happens with a ligand binds to the GPCR?
The ligand-receptor interaction activates the G-protein.
This causes the alpha subunit to dissociate from the beta and gamma subunits.
The alpha subunit of a Gs or Gq will turn on an effector, while the alpha subunit of a Gi protein will turn off an effector.
When the ligand unwinds from the receptor, the alpha subunit rejoins the beta and gamma subunits, and its interaction with the effector ends.
What is the function of the effector (GPCR)?
To activate the second messenger
Name 2 enzymatic effectors
Adenylate cyclase
Phopholipase C
Name 2 ion channel effectors
GABA-A
M2 receptors at the SA node
List the 5 second messengers
- Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
- Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)
- Inositol triphosphate (IP3)
- Diacylglycerol (DAG)
- Calcium ion (Ca+2)
Mnemonic for Gq GPCR?
Gq’s HAV 1 M&M Gq stimulates phospholipase C PLC turns on IP3, Ca+2, DAG Histamine 1 Alpha 1 Vasopressin 1 Muscarinic 1 Muscarinic 3 (apex also says 5)
Mnemonic for Gi GPCR?
Gi MAD2 Gi inhibits adenylate cyclase Adenylate cyclase turns off ATP and cAMP Muscarinic 2 (apex also says 4) Alpha 2 Dopamine 2
Mneumonic for Gs GPCR?
Gs does all the rest Gs stimulates adenylate cyclase Adenylate cyclase turns on ATP and cAMP Beta 1 and 2 Dopamine 1 Vasopressin 2 Histamine 2
Nicotinic receptors are located where? What type of signal transduction?
ANS ganglia, NMJ, and CNS
Ion channels
Which dopamine receptors are presynaptic and which are postsynaptic?
Pre: D2
Post: D1
Which vasopressin receptors are in the vasculature and which are in the renal tubules?
Vasculature: V1
Renal tubules: V2
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the heart? PNS?
SNS:
Myocardium B1
Conduction system B1
Increased contractility, HR, and conduction speed
The cardiac accelerator fibers arise from T1-T4
PNS: Myocardium M2 Conduction system M2 Decreased contractility, HR, conduction speed Vagus nerve CN X
ANS receptors and physiologic action of vasculature
SNS:
Arteries a1 > a2 -> vasoconstriction
Veins a2 > a1 -> vasoconstriction
PNS:
No parasympathetic receptors
ANS receptors and physiologic action of specific vascular beds: Myocardium Skeletal muscle Renal Mesenteric
Myocardium: B2 -> vasodilation; no PNS receptors
Skeletal muscle: B2 -> vasodilation; no PNS receptors
Renal: DA -> vasodilation; no PNS receptors
Mesenteric: DA -> vasodilation; no PNS receptors
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the bronchial tree
SNS:
B2 -> bronchodilation
Beta 2 receptors are not innervated, instead they respond to catecholamines in the systemic circulation or in the airway (inhaled)
PNS:
M3 -> bronchoconstriction
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the kidney
SNS:
Renal tubules: a2 -> diuresis (ADH inhibition)
Renin release: B1 -> increased renin release
PNS:
No receptors
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the eye
SNS:
Sphincter muscle (iris): no SNS receptor
Radial muscle (iris): a1 -> contraction (mydriasis)
Ciliary muscle: B2 -> relaxation (far vision)
PNS:
Sphincter muscle: M -> contraction (miosis)
Radial muscle: no PNS receptor
Ciliary muscle: M -> contraction (near vision)
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the GI
SNS: Sphincters: a1 -> contraction Motility & tone: a1 / a2 / B1 / B2 -> Decrease Salivary glands: a2 -> decrease Gallbladder & ducts: B2 -> relaxation
PNS: Sphincters: M -> relaxation Motility & tone: M -> increase Salivary glands: M -> increase Gallbladder & ducts: M -> contraction
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the pancreas
SNS:
Islet B cells: a2 -> decrease insulin release and B2 -> increase insulin release
PNS: no receptors
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the liver
SNS:
a1 / B2 -> increase serum glucose
PNS: no receptors
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the uterus
SNS:
a1 -> contraction
B2 -> relaxation
PNS: no receptors
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the bladder
SNS:
Trigone & sphincter: a1 -> contraction
Detrusor: B2 -> relaxation
PNS:
Trigone & sphincter: M -> relaxation
Detrusor: M -> contraction
ANS receptors and physiologic action of the sweat glands
SNS: a1 -> increase secretion
PNS: M -> increase secretion
Describe alpha 1 stimulation in the eye
Alpha 1 stimulation -> radial muscle contraction -> mydriasis (pupil dilation)
Radial muscle dilates pupil = ready to go = SNS
Describe muscarinic stimulation in the eye
Muscarinic stimulation -> sphincter muscle contraction -> miosis (pupil contraction
Location of the alpha 2 receptor is throughout the body, but what 3 ways can these locations be classified?
Presynaptic
Postsynaptic
Nonsynaptic
What are presynaptic alpha 2 receptors?
These are NE releasing neurons in the CNS and PNS (negative feedback mechanism reduces NE release)
Where are postsynaptic alpha 2 receptors located?
In smooth muscle and several organs
Where are nonsynaptic alpha 2 receptors found?
Platelets
Where are alpha 2 receptors in the nervous system found and what is their physiologic effect? (5)
Medulla: decrease SNS tone Vagus nerve: increase PNS tone Locus coeruleus: sedation, hypnosis Spinal cord (dorsal horn): analgesia ???: antishivering
What the is physiologic effect of alpha 2 receptors in the vasculature?
Vasoconstriction
What is the physiologic effect of alpha 2 receptors in the renal tubules?
Inhibits ADH (diuresis)
What is the physiologic effect of alpha 2 receptors in the pancreas?
Decrease insulin release
What is the physiologic effect of alpha 2 receptors in the platelets?
Increase platelet aggregation
What is the physiologic effect of alpha 2 receptors in the salivary glands?
Dry mouth
What is the physiologic effect of alpha 2 receptors in the GI tract?
Decrease gut motility
Dexmedetomidine is a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist that reduces SNS tone and causes sedation, MAC reduction, analgesia, bradycardia, and vasodilation; what happens with rapid administration?
It can stimulate postsynaptic alpha-2 receptors in the arterial and venous circulations leading to vasoconstriction and hypertension.
- the CNS effect temporarily lags behind
- once it kicks in the central alpha-2 effect overpowers the peripheral alpha-2 effect
- therefore, it is possible to see a transient rise in BP
What enzyme metabolizes cyclic adenosine monophosphate? Into what?
Phosphodiesterase III
AMP - adenosine monophosphate
Inhibiting PDE III and increase cAMP benefits:
- In the cardiac muscle cell, cAMP augments myocardial performance by:
- increasing intracellular calcium and the force of contraction
- increasing the rate of relaxation by accelerating the return of calcium to the sarcoplasmic reticulum (lusitropy) - In the vascular smooth muscle cell, cAMP inhibits myosin light chain kinase causing:
- vasodilation
- decreased SVR
PDE III inhibitors are also called ______.
Example
Inodilators
Milrinone
PDE III inhibitors augment myocardial performance independently of the SNS, making them useful in what 4 situation?
BB induced myocardial depression
Acute heart failure
Unresponsiveness to IV catecholamines
Anytime the combination of increased inotropy and reduced afterload would be desirable
What is the prototype nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor?
Theophylline
What is the primary neurotransmitter in the SNS?
Norepinephrine
Sympathetic neurons synthesize NE from what 2 substances?
Tyrosine - an amino acid obtained from diet
Phenylalanine (converted to tyrosine first)
Tyrosine is transported into the adrenergic nerve terminal and converted to DOPA by what enzyme? What is significant about this step?
Tyrosine hydroxylase
This occurs in the cytoplasm and is the rate limiting step in NE synthesis
DOPA is converted to dopamine by what enzyme?
DOPA decarboxylase
This also occurs in the cytoplasm
Dopamine is transported into a synaptic vesicles and is converted to NE by what enzyme?
Dopamine beta-hydroxylase
In the adrenal medulla, most of the NE is converted to epinephrine by what enzyme?
Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase
The adrenal medulla secretes about ___% epinephrine and ____% NE into the circulation
80% EPI
20% NE
Describe NE release
- The action potential depolarizes the nerve terminal
- Voltage-tasted calcium channels open, and calcium flows into the nerve terminal
- Increased neuronal calcium causes NE vesicles to fuse with the nerve terminal and release NE into the synaptic cleft via exocytosis
- NE inhibits its release by stimulating the pre-synaptic alpha-2 receptor
- NE can augment its release by stimulating the pre-synaptic beta-2 receptor
What are the 3 ways that NE can be removed from the synaptic cleft? Which is the most important?
Reuptake into the presynaptic neuron (accounts for 80%)
Diffusion away from the synaptic cleft
Reuptake by extraneural tissue
Reuptake of NE is blocked by what 2 drugs?
Tricyclic antidepressants
Cocaine
What 2 enzymes metabolize NE and EPI? What is the final metabolic byproduct?
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
Final byproduct of NE and EPI metabolism is vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)
An elevated vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) level in the urine aids in the diagnosis of what?
Pheochromocytoma
Where are the principle sites of metabolism of catecholamines that have entered circulation?
Liver and kidneys
Only ~5% of NE is excreted unchanged in the urine
Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) has another name
3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid
What is the primary neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic nervous system?
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine stimulates how many different receptor types? What are they and where are they found?
3:
Nicotinic type N (nerve): preganglionic fibers at autonomic ganglia (SNS & PNS), central nervous system
Nicotinic type M (muscle): neuromuscular junction
Muscarinic: postganglionic PNS fibers at effector organs, central nervous system
Nicotinic receptors are what type of receptor? Muscarinic receptors are what type?
Nicotinic: ion channels
Muscarinic: GPCR
Describe Ach synthesis
- Choline is transported from the blood into the cytoplasm of the nerve terminal
- Acetyl Coenzyme A is produced in the mitochondria and released into the cytoplasm
- In the presence of the enzyme choline acetyltranferase, choline and acetyl CoA are joined to form acetylcholine
- Acetylcholine is packed into vesicles
Describe the release of Ach
- The action potential depolarizes the nerve terminal
- Voltage-gated Ca+2 channels open and allow an influx of Ca+2 into the nerve terminal
- Ca+2 is required for Ach vesicles to fuse with the nerve terminal and release Ach via exocytosis into the synaptic cleft
Why does Mg+2 cause muscle weakness and act synergistically with NMB?
Mg+2 is an antagonist of Ca+2 at the presynaptic nerve terminal
Describe Ach metabolism
- Acetylcholinesterase is positioned around the cholinergic receptor and quickly hydrolyzes Ach after it unbinds from the receptor
- The byproducts are choline and acetate
- Choline is transported back into the nerve terminal via reuptake and will serve as substrate for further Ach synthesis
- Acetate diffuses away from the synaptic cleft
Preganglionic nerve fibers in the SNS are what type of nerve fibers?
Myelinated B fibers
Postganglionic nerve fibers in the SNS are what type of fibers?
Unmyelinated C fibers
List the 5 components of the autonomic reflex arc
Sensor Afferent pathway Control center Efferent pathway Effector
What structures receive the bulk of sensory input from the body? (3)
Hypothalamus
Brainstem
Spinal cord
Compare and contrast the architecture of the SNS and PNS efferent pathways
SNS:
Preganglionic: short, myelinated, B-fibers, releases Ach
Postganglionic: long, unmyelinated, C-fibers, releases NE (except sweat glands, piloerector muscles and some vessels release Ach)
PNS:
Preganglionic: long, myelinated, B-fibers, release Ach
Postganglionic: short, unmyelinated C-fibers, release Ach
The SNS originates where? What spinal nerves? Where are the cell bodies? Where do the axons exit?
Thoracolumbar
T1 - L3
Cell bodies arise from the intermedia lateral region of the spinal cord
Axons exit via the ventral root
Where is the ganglia of the SNS?
Near the spinal cord
Post to preganglionic ratio of the SNS
30: 1 -> post-synaptic amplification contributes mass response
SNS preganglionic fibers
Short
Myelinated
B-fibers
Post ganglionic SNS fibers
Long
Unmyelinated
C-fibers
Neurotransmitter and ganglia in SNS
Ach
Receptor at the ganglia is SNS
Nicotinic type N
Neurotransmitter from postganglionic fiber in SNS
NE (except sweat glands, piloerectory muscles, so vessels release Ach)
Receptor at effect organ in SNS
Alpha
Beta
Dopamine
Muscarinic (for the Ach exceptions)
The PNS originates where? What spinal nerves? What cranial nerves?
Craniosacral
CN III, VII, IX, X
S2 - S4
Where is the ganglia in the PNS?
Near or inside the effector organ