Autoreceptors formation

Methylphenidate like cocaine largely acts by blocking reuptake of monoamines into the presynaptic terminal. Methylphenidate administration produces an increase in the steady-state (tonic) levels of monoamines within the synaptic cleft. Thus, DAT inhibitors, such as methylphenidate, increase extracellular levels of monoamines. In contrast, they decrease the concentrations of the monoamine metabolites that depend upon monoamine oxidase (MAO), that is, HVA, but not catecholamine-o-methyltransferase (COMT), because reuptake by the transporter is required for the formation of these metabolites. By stimulating presynaptic autoreceptors, methylphenidate induced increase in dopamine transmission can also reduce monoamine synthesis, inhibit monoamine neuron firing and reduce subsequent phasic dopamine release. 

Histamine receptors were first divided into two subclasses Hi and H2 by Ash and Schild (1966) on the basis that the then known antihistamines did not inhibit histamine-induced gastric acid secretion. The justification for this subdivision was established some years later when Black (see Black et al. 1972) developed drugs, like cimetidine, that affected only the histamine stimulation of gastric acid secretion and had such a dramatic impact on the treatment of peptic ulcers. A recently developed H2 antagonist zolantidine is the first, however, to show significant brain penetration. A further H3 receptor has now been established. It is predominantly an autoreceptor on histamine nerves but is also found on the terminals of aminergic, cholinergic and peptide neurons. All three receptors are G-protein-coupled but little is known of the intracellular pathway linked to the H3 receptor and unlike Hi and H2 receptors it still remains to be cloned. Activation of Hi receptors stimulates IP3 formation while the H2 receptor is linked to activation of adenylate cyclase. 

ACh regulates the cortical arousal characteristic of both REM sleep and wakefulness (Semba, 1991, 2000 Sarter Bruno, 1997, 2000). Medial regions of the pontine reticular formation (Figs. 5.2 and 5.7) contribute to regulating both the state of REM sleep and the trait of EEG activation. Within the medial pontine reticular formation, presynaptic cholinergic terminals (Fig. 5.1) that release ACh also are endowed with muscarinic cholinergic receptors (Roth et al, 1996). Autoreceptors are defined as presynaptic receptors that bind the neurotransmitter that is released from the presynaptic terminal (Kalsner, 1990). Autoreceptors provide feedback modulation of transmitter release. Autoreceptor activation... 

Baghdoyan, H. A., Lydic, R. Fleegal, M. A. (1998). M2 muscarinic autoreceptors modulate acetylcholine release in the medial pontine reticular formation. 

To date, five subtypes of these receptors have been cloned. However, initial studies relied on the pharmacological effects of the muscarinic antagonist pirenzepine which was shown to block the effect of several muscarinic agonists. These receptors were termed Mi receptors to distinguish them from those receptors for which pirenzepine had only a low affinity and therefore failed to block the pharmacological response. These were termed M2 receptors. More recently, M3, M4 and M5 receptors have been identified which, like the Mi and M2 receptors occur in the brain. Recent studies have shown that Mi and M3 are located posts)maptically in the brain whereas the M2 and M4 receptors occur pres)maptically where they act as inhibitory autoreceptors that inhibit the release of acetylcholine. The M2 and M4 receptors are coupled to the inhibitory Gi protein which reduces the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) within the neuron. By contrast, the Mi, M3 and M5 receptors are coupled to the stimulatory Gs protein which stimulates the intracellular hydrolysis of the phosphoinositide messenger within the neuron (see Figure 2.8). 

Figure 4. Representation of the classification of the dopamine receptor based on its coupling with adenylate cyclase activity. DA+ receptors (left) are coupled to adenylate cyclase through the Ns GTP-binding protein (91) with secondary activation of adenylate cyclase. DA. receptors (middle) are coupled through the Ni GTP-binding protein, thus resulting in inhibition of cyclic AMP formation. DA0 receptors (right) are those uncoupled to cyclic AMP formation, the example being possibly some autoreceptors on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons.

Dopamine induces biochemical and physiological effects in the mammalian neostriatum. The occurrence of a D-l dopamine receptor (in the classification scheme of Kebabian and Caine) accounts for the ability of dopamine to enhance cyclic AMP formation. The occurrence of a D-2 dopamine receptor accounts for the ability of dopamine to inhibit cyclic AMP formation brought about by stimulation of a D-l dopamine receptor. Dopamine receptors mediate the regulation of (1) the release or turnover of acetylcholine (postsynaptic dopamine receptor) and (2) the release or turnover of dopar mine (presynaptic autoreceptor). Both receptors can be classified as D-2 dopamine receptors. Indications for the occurrence of dopamine receptors affecting the release or turnover of GABA, glutamate, serotonin and several neuropeptides are evaluated. 

Answer B. Decreased formation of cAMP mediated via a G. protein is associated with activation of prejunctional receptors that can function as autoreceptors to inhibit release of NE from sympathetic nerve endings. A similar mechanism involving Gj protein inhibition of adenylyl cyclase occurs with activation of M2 receptors (see answer 6). ... 

Intercellular communication in the nervous system is typically mediated through synaptic transmission via the release of neurotransmitters and their subsequent binding to specific receptors. The transmitter-receptor interaction then elicits changes in ion channel permeability and/or second messenger formation in the innervated cell. Neurotransmitters can also interact with receptors located on the presynaptic terminal (either autoreceptors, which are activated by the same transmitter, or heteroreceptors, which are activated by a different transmitter released by a different neuron) to regulate the presynaptic function, often by influencing neurotransmitter release. Termination of synaptic neurotransmission depends upon the removal of neurotransmitter molecules from the synaptic cleft by either enzymatic degradation or by reuptake into the presynaptic terminal. 

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