SITI NUR BAIZURY BT HASSAN 10-3-96

DEFINITION OF NEUROTRANSMITTER
Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse

DIFFERENCE OF NEUROTRANSMITTER AND NEUROHORMONE

NEUROTRANSMITTER Endogenous chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse packaged into synaptic vesicles clustered beneath the membrane in the axon terminal, on the presynaptic side of a synapse. Examples: acetylcholine, GABA or dopamine. NEUROHORMONE Any hormone produced and released by neuroendocrine cells into the blood. secreted into the circulation for systemic effect and also have a role of neurotransmitter or other roles as autocrine (self) or paracrine (local) messenger. Examples: TRH (Thyrotropin releasing hormone), dopamine or epinephrine.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

IONOTROPIC AND METABOTROPIC RECEPTOR

IONOTROPIC transmembrane molecules that can open or close a channel that would allow smaller particles to travel in and out of the cell METABOTROPIC do not have a channel that opens or closes but are linked to another small chemical called a G-protein.

Not opened (or closed) all the time. They are generally closed until another neurotransmitter binds to the receptor.
Act very quickly. As soon as a ligand binds to them, they change shape and allow ions to flow in. Ligand doesnt stay in place very long and channel closes back very quickly.

Ligand binds, receptor activates GProtein. Once activated, the G-protein itself goes on and activates another molecule secondary messenger.
Take a longer times depending on the number of steps (secondary messengers), required to produce a response Wider range of responses.

CLASSIFICATION OF NEUROTRANSMITTER
Neurotransmitter effects may be excitatory (depolarizing) and/or inhibitory (hyperpolarizing) Determined by the receptor type of the postsynaptic neuron GABA and glycine are usually inhibitory Glutamate is usually excitatory Acetylcholine-Excitatory at neuromuscular junctions in skeletal muscle

GASEOUS NEUROTRANSMITTER
Nitric oxide Unlike other neurotransmitters that transmit information from presynaptic to postsynaptic neuron,the small, uncharged, fat-soluble NO molecule can diffuse widely and readily enters cells NO-cGMP cascade is involved in learning and memory through the maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP). NO neurotransmitter in various parts of the GIT-causes relaxation of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle -In the stomach it increases the capacity of the fundus to store food and fluids.

Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide used to cement memories in the hippocampus of the brain and that established memories Carbon monoxide might protect against excess neuronal activity, dampening nerves that are firing too much In large concentrations Carbon monoxide poison binds so tightly to the heme chemical group prevents oxygen from binding red blood cells unable to carry oxygen to body tissues.

References
http://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/26/science /carbon-monoxide-gas-is-used-by-brain-cellsas-a-neurotransmitter.html http://web.williams.edu/imput/synapse/page s/III.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurohormone