Neuronal receptors recognition

The concept of discrete neurotransmitter recognition sites or receptors on nerve cells was based on work on systems physiology and dmg action (1). It was not until 1921 however, that it was shown that information could be transferred between neurons via a chemical, in this instance acetylcholine [51-84-3] (ACh), C H gN02 (1). 

PCP is not acting as a competitive inhibitor at the NMDA receptor thus, PCP and NMDA probably do not share a common recognition site. Examination of the effect of PCP on NMDA-induced DA release (figure 1, lower panel) tends to support this conclusion, but is compromised somewhat by the slightly nonparallel shift produced by 2-APV. This may be due to the fact that NMDA may partially activate quisqualate and kainate receptors on those neurons that are not antagonized by 2-APV. 

Neurexins a protein kinase. A component of active zones that interact with RIM, syntaxin and other proteins. Cell surface proteins with more than 1,000 isoforms generated by alternative splicing from three genes. Neurexins include one of the receptors for aratrotoxin and may function in cell-cell recognition between neurons. 

Purines such as ATP and adenosine play a central role in the energy metabolism of all life forms. This fact probably delayed recognition of other roles for purines as autocrine and paracrine substances and neurotransmitters. Today it is recognized that purines are released from neurons and other cells and that they produce widespread effects on multiple organ systems by binding to purinergic receptors located on the cell surface. The principal ligands for... 

Zorumski, C. F., Yamada, K. A., Price, M. T and Olney, J. W. (1993) A benzodiazepine recognition site associated with the non-NMDA glutamate receptor. Neuron 10,61-67. 

Da Prada, M. and Kellermann, O. (2006) Serotonin transport and serotonin transporter-mediated antidepressant recognition are controlled by 5-HT2B receptor signaling in serotonergic neuronal cells. FASEB Journal, 20 (11), 1843-1854. 

The olfactory epithelium of mammals contains many types of olfactory neurons, each expressing a specific odorant receptor. Linda Buck has shown that an odorant can activate multiple distinct receptors and that a receptor can be activated by multiple odorants. Thus, there must exist a combinatorial mechanism for odor detection some sort of pattern recognition. The axons of olfactory neurons converge on glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. There, incoming signals are integrated and the sense of smell is created. 

McFarlane, S., Cornel, E., Amaya, E., and Holt, C.E. (1996) Inhibition of FGF receptor activity in retinal ganglion cell axons causes errors in target recognition. Neuron 17 245-254. 

As is the case for all sensory pathways, the capacity to perceive and respond to olfactory cues (odorants) is the combined result of events that take place in both peripheral and central processing centers. These steps, which will be discussed in detail below, begin with the molecular transduction of chemical signals in the form of odorants into electrical activity by olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the periphery whose axonal projections form characteristic synaptic connections with elements of the central nervous system (CNS). Within the CNS, complex patterns of olfactory signals are integrated and otherwise processed to afford recognition and ultimately, the behavioral responses to the insect s chemical environment. Within the context of pheromone recognition these responses would likely be centered on various elements of the insect s reproductive cycle. 

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