Transmitters and peptides: Basic principles

Lakshmi A. Devi, Lloyd D. Fricker

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Signaling between cells plays an important role in all multicellular organisms, both in the nervous system as well as other tissues. Most intercellular signaling involves chemical mediators such as neurotransmitters and neuropeptides; these are collectively referred to as chemical transmitters. A large number of drugs affect cell-cell signaling, and an understanding of these signaling molecules is therefore an essential aspect of neuropharmacology. Neurotransmitters and neuropeptides share a number of key properties. Both types of chemical transmitters are synthesized and secreted from the signaling cell. The synthesis and/or secretion of the molecules is highly regulated. Another common feature of chemical transmitters is that the molecules produce a physiological response, often mediated by binding to a receptor on the cell surface. Finally, the response is terminated by removal of the signaling molecule from the extracellular space, either by chemical transformation of the neurotransmitter or neuropeptide into an inactive form or by uptake of the neurotransmitter into a cell. These general properties are shared by classical neurotransmitters (such as acetylcholine and dopamine), nonclassical neurotransmitters (such as nitric oxide and the endocannabinoids), and neuropeptides (such as enkephalin and neuropeptide Y). However, fundamental differences exist between these various classes of signaling molecules, and collectively, these distinct chemical transmitters contribute to the diversity of signaling within brain and other organs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationNeuroscience in the 21st Century
Subtitle of host publicationFrom Basic to Clinical
PublisherSpringer New York
Pages1487-1503
Number of pages17
ISBN (Electronic)9781461419976
ISBN (Print)1461419964, 9781461419969
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • General Neuroscience

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