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Synaptic Transmission 4
Synaptic Transmission 4
CAT
(cholineactyltransferase)
CAT is enzyme catalyzing reaction.
Synaptic transmission
After release Ach is rapidly hydrolysed by
enzyme acetylcholinesterase (ACE) and
the products are taken up by presynaptic
nerve endings.
Ach---------choline and acetate
ACE
Synaptic transmission
Ach present throughout CNS
Works on muscarinic and nicotinic
receptors
Also in peripheral nervous system in motor
endplates working on nicotinic receptors.
Synapse transmission
IPSP Inhibitory postsynaptic potential:
When transmitter alters permeability of
postsynaptic membrane in such a way that
the membrane becomes hyperpolarised.
May for instance increase permeability for
K+. K+ efflux increases, and membrane
more positive outside than at rest.
Membrane now less excitable than at rest.
This is postsynaptic or direct inhibition.
Synapse transmission
Indirect inhibition also takes place: due to
any condition that prevents discharge of
any neuron in the chain. (e.g. if the
neuron is refractory)
Presynaptic inhibition is also indirect
inhibition: Neurotransmitter release by
presynaptic ending is reduced/prevented.
Synaptic transmission
Inhibitory neurotransitters:
Gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA
Glycine
Synaptic transmission
Gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA
Formed by decarboxylation of Glutamate
Glutamate decarboxylase catalyses reaction
Glutamate----GABA
GAD
B6 is a cofactor for GAD
GABA-transaminase catalyzes metabolism of
GABA
Most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in CNS.
Benzodiazepines facilitate GABA effects.
Synaptic transmission
Glycine:
Brain stem and spinal cord
Inhibitory neurotransmitter
Increases membrane permeability for Cl-
Binds to NMDA receptors.
Synaptic transmission
Dendrites increase surface area in CNS for
synapses.
Action potentials do not develop, only
excitatory/inhibitory potentials-conducted
electronically towards soma/cell body.
Large part lost before it reaches soma
Can still contribute to existing EPSP and
IPSP thus increasing or decreasing
potentials.
Synaptic transmission
Influences:
Very dependent continuous O2 supply.
Sensitive to pH:
Acidosis depresses neural activity
Alkalosis increases neural excitability.
Synaptic transmission
Volume transmission:
Extrasynaptic mechanism of transmission
Diffusion of chemical substances or
neurotransmitters through extracellular
fluid.
Neurotransmitters released by neurons
into extracellular fluid.
Diffuse through fluid and react with
extrasynaptic receptors on distant
neurons.
Synaptic transmission
Specificity of information transmission depends
upon release of particular neurotransmitter and
location of neurons with specific receptors.
Volume transmission: mechanism for sustained
mass activation of large numbers of neurons.
Responsible for “brain tone” and helps with sleep,
vigilance, attention, emotion, mood.
Primary mechanism for effects of most
pharmacological substance on CNS.
Synaptic transmission
Impulse transmission to muscle fibres:
Nervous stimulation needed for
1) Excitation skeletal muscle
2)Multi-unit type smooth muscle fibres.
Pacemaker cells supply heart and visceral
smooth muscle. (rhythmically and
automatically activated)
These organs however have nerves that
modulate their activity.
Synaptic transmission
Synaptic transmission
Skeletal muscle:
Supplied by somatic nervous system.
Neuromuscular junctions.
Each muscle fibre supplied by only one nerve
terminal and has a single motor endplate.
Axons of motor neurons branch extensively.
Each branch supply one fibre.
Thus when a single motor neuron activated all
the muscle fibres are activated simultaneously.
Synaptic transmission
Single motor neuron with all the muscle
fibres innervated by is=motor unit.
Nr. Fibres in a motor unit varies: Fine
precise movement e.g. hand and eyes:
only 3-6 fibresl
Back muscles contain>1000 fibres/unit.
Synaptic transmission
Impulse arrives at motor endplate
Ach released (only transmitter releases by
motor endplate).
Binds to Ach receptors in subsynaptic
membrane.
Ach receptors are usually ligand gated
Na+ channels.
Channels open when Ach binds to them.
Increased permeability for Na+
Synaptic transmission
Subsynaptic membrane becomes
hypopolarised
Called Enplate Potential: Analogous to EPSP.
When EPP reaches threshold action pot
generated in adjacent membrane and
conducted all along muscle fibre.
Depolarisation causes contraction of muscle
fibre.
This is known as excitation-contraction
coupling.
Synaptic transmission
Ach receptors in endplate also called
nicotinic receptors as they can bind
nicotine.
Curare poison and cobra snake venom
block impulse transmission: blocks Ach
receptors and block their binding to Ach.
Paralysis follows.
Also used in muscle relaxants during
anaesthesia.
Synaptic transmission
Synaptic transmission
Smooth muscle:
Supplied by autonomic nervous system
Nerve terminals not specialized structures.
Fibres receive two types nerve fibres
which release Ach and NA respectively.
The heart:
Supplied by autonomic nervous system
Modifies cardiac activity
Substances Ach and NA
Synaptic transmission
Ion channels may be classified by the
nature of their gating, the species of ions
passing through those gates, and the
number of gates (pores).
By gating: Voltage gated
Ligand gated e.g. Ach nicotinic receptors.
Other gating e.g. second messengers
By ions e.g. K+ channels, Na+ channels
Other classifications e.g. two pore
channels