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Receptor‐mediated regulation of calcium channels and neurotransmitter release
Author(s) -
Miller Richard J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.4.15.1979294
Subject(s) - neurotransmitter , neurotransmitter receptor , voltage dependent calcium channel , neurotransmission , neurotransmitter agents , pertussis toxin , chemistry , receptor , active zone , calcium , microbiology and biotechnology , g protein , neuroscience , biology , biophysics , synaptic vesicle , biochemistry , vesicle , organic chemistry , membrane
Ca 2+ influx into the nerve terminal is normally the trigger for the release of neurotransmitters. Many neurons possess presynaptic receptors whose activation results in changes in the quantity of neurotransmitter released by an action potential. This paper reviews studies that show that presynaptic receptors can regulate the activity of Ca 2+ channels in the nerve terminal, resulting in changes in the influx of Ca 2+ and in neurotransmitter release. Neurons possess several different types of voltage‐sensitive Ca 2+ channels. Ca 2+ influx through N‐type channels appears to trigger transmitter release in many instances. In other cases Ca 2+ influx through L channels can influence transmitter release. Neurotransmitters can inhibit N channels through a G protein‐mediated transduction mechanism. The G proteins are frequently pertussis toxin substrates. Inhibition of N channels appears to involve changes in their voltage dependence. Neurotransmitters can also regulate neuronal K + channels. Activation of these K + channels can lead to a reduction in Ca 2+ influx and neurotransmitter release; these effects are also mediated by G proteins. Thus neurotransmitters may often regulate both presynaptic Ca 2+ and K + channels. These two effects may be synergistic mechanisms for the regulation of Ca 2+ influx and neurotransmitter release.— M iller , R. J. Receptor‐mediated regulation of calcium channels and neurotransmitter release. FASEB J. 4: 3291–3299; 1990.