Neurotransmission postsynaptic nerve

Rgure 22-2. Neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Neurotransmitter molecules (eg, norepinephrine), released by the presynaptic nerve, cross the synapse and bind with receptors in the cell membrane of the postsynaptic nerve, resulting in the transmission of the nerve impulse. 

Cholinesterases, e.g., acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) and butyrylcholi-nesterase (BChE, EC 3.1.1.8), are serine hydrolases that break down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and other choline esters [5]. In the neurotransmission processes at the neuromuscular junction, the cationic neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is released from the presynaptic nerve, diffuses across the synapse and binds to the ACh receptor in the postsynaptic nerve (Fig. 1). Acetylcholinesterase is located between the synaptic nerves and functions as the terminator of impulse transmissions by hydrolysis of acetylcholine to acetic acid and choline as shown in Scheme 4. The process is very efficient, and the hydrolysis rate is close to diffusion controlled [6, 7]. 

In the adrenal medulla and the ganglia of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves, the neurotransmission is mediated by acetylcholine. On the postsynaptic membranes the transmitter activates the neuronal-type of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This receptor type is in fact a sodium channel, its activation leads to a sodium influx and a membrane depolarization. A pharmacological interference at the... 

During a laboratory demonstration to depict the complexity of neurotransmission in autonomic ganglia, Professor Smith sets up an anesthetized mammalian preparation in which she is recording postsynaptic events following the electrical stimulation of preganglionic sympathetic nerves. This demonstrates a complex action potential that consists of a fast EPSP followed by a slow IPSP followed by a slow EPSP and finally by a late very slow EPSP. 

Abstract Neurotransmission in the nervous system is initiated at presynaptic terminals by fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane and subsequent exocytic release of chemical transmitters. Currently, there are multiple methods to detect neurotransmitter release from nerve terminals, each with their own particular advantages and disadvantages. For instance, most commonly employed methods monitor actions of released chemical substances on postsynaptic receptors or artificial substrates such as carbon libers. These methods are closest to the physiological setting because they have a rapid time resolution and they measure the action of the endogenous neurotransmitters rather than the signals emitted by exogenous probes. However, postsynaptic receptors only indirectly report neurotransmitter release in a form modified by the properties of receptors themselves, which are often nonlinear detectors of released substances. Alternatively, released chemical substances... 

Like clonidine, the interesting drug R-28935 lowers blood pressure by centrally mediated depression of sympathetic nerve function. In contrast, however, it is suggested that the action of this drug is due to inhibition of central neurotransmission by blockade of postsynaptic a-... 

The avermectins (AVM) are a family of naturally occurring macrolides which are produced by Streptomyces avermitilis and possess potent broad-spectrum anthelmintic, acaricidal and insecticidal activity (25-27). One of the major components of the avermectin complex is AVM Bla. This has been shown to interfere with neurotransmission at excitatory neuronal (nerve-nerve) synapses in the ventral nerve cord of A. suum where the mode of action seems to involve a GABA-ergic mechanism (1, 3) AVM Bla also abolishes the hyper polarizing potentials recorded from muscle bags of A. suum in response to stimulation of inhibitory motorneurones O, 3.). Kass and co-workers (2, 28) suggest that the effect on inhibitory neuromuscular transmission results from blockade of GABA receptors present on the postsynaptic muscle membrane. As the postsynaptic receptors are... 

Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger in the process of neurotransmission. Neurotransmission usually involves release of a chemical messenger, called the neurotransmitter, from the presynaptic cell followed by its binding to receptors on the postsynaptic cell (nerve, muscle, or gland). Synapses involving acetylcholine as the neurotransmitter are called cholinergic... 

Alpha-2 (ttj) adrenergic receptors inhibit sympathetic neurotransmission by two mechanisms. Postsynaptic receptors inhibit sympathetic neurons that exit the brain. Alpha-2 receptors are also found on presynaptic nerve terminals where they inhibit norepinephrine release. 

---