Neurotransmitters, Receptors and Transporters

Neurotransmission is simply the propagation of a nerve impulse. Research in this area focuses on the production and transport of neurotransmitters in the synapse, and the effect of defective neurotransmission. After neurotransmitters have been released into the synaptic cleft, they are received by receptors in the postsynaptic neuron in order to relay a signal.

Below are examples of neurotransmitters, their receptors and related transporters:

Our neurotransmitter pathways poster is a fantastic illustrative overview of the Glutaminergic, GABAergic, and Dopaminergic synapses and their relationship with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and schizophrenia.

Further reading:

1. Baldelli, P. et al. (2005) Synapsins and neuroexocytosis: recent views from functional studies on synapsin null mutant mice.
   Arch. Ital. Biol. 143:113-26
2. Jovanovic, J.N. et al. (2001) Opposing changes in phosphorylation of specific sites in synapsin I during Ca2+ -dependent glutamate release in isolated nerve terminals.
   J. Neurosci. 21: 7944 - 7953
3. Bowery, N. (2006) GABAB receptor: a site of therapeutic benefit.
   Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 6:37-43