Neurotransmitter receptors heteroceptors

Even more sophisticated control of neurotransmitter release is suggested by the possibility of heteroceptors . These receptors are thought to be located on the terminals of, and to modulate transmitter release from, one type of neuron, but are activated by transmitter released from a different type of neuron (Laduron 1985). For example, noradrenaline has been proposed to modulate release of a wide range of transmitters (e.g. dopamine, 5-HT and glutamate) through activation of a2-heteroceptors on the terminals of each of these different types of neuron. However, one factor that should be borne in mind is that most of the evidence for heteroceptors comes from studies of... 

Noradrenaline release might also be modulated by receptors on noradrenergic nerve terminals that are activated by other neurotransmitters ( heteroceptors ). Unfortunately, most studies of this type of modulation have been carried out in tissue slices and... 

There is some evidence that receptors for other neurotransmitters on 5-HT nerve terminals also modify release of 5-HT. These include nicotinic receptors (increase release from striatal synaptosomes), a2A-adrenoceptors (depress cortical release) and H3-receptors (cortical depression). Because changes in 5-HT release on activation of these receptors is evident in synaptosomal preparations, it is likely that these are true heteroceptors . 

Experimental studies have shown that the release of a transmitter from a nerve terminal can be decreased or increased by a variety of other neurotransmitters. For example, stimulation of 5-HT receptors on noradrenergic terminals can lead to an enhanced release of noradrenaline. While the physiological importance of such a mechanism is unclear, this could be a means whereby drugs could produce some of their effects. Such receptors have been termed heteroceptors (Figure 2.3). 

Presynaptic receptor that is activated by a neurotransmitter from an adjacent neuron the type of neurotransmitter activating the heteroceptor differs from that released from the axon. 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the main metabolite of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) formed by monoamine oxidase. 

Figure 1.6 The nomenclature used to describe receptor location on neurones. Starting with Neurone A , neurotransmitter released at the terminals will interact with POSTSYNAPTIC receptors on Neurone B Similarly, neurotransmitter releasedfrom Neurone D will interact with postsynaptic receptor on Neurone A Neurotransmitter releasedfrom Neurone A will also regulate its own release by interacting with the TERMINAL A UTORECEPTOR or affect neuronal firing by interacting with the SOMATODENDRITIC AUTORECEPTOR Release of neurotransmitter from Neurone A can also be regulated by activation of PRESYNAPTIC HETEROCEPTORS on the terminals, which are postsynaptic receptors activated by neurotransmitter from Neurone C...

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