acetylcholine Flashcards
what is myasthenia gravis?
A neuromuscular disorder that leads to weakness of skeletal muscles.
why is myasthenia gravis caused?
the body produces antibodies that bind to receptors, preventing ach from binding to the receptors.
this prevents nerve impulses from triggering muscle contraction.
how is ach synthesised?
acetyl CoA + choline —choline acetyltransferase —> acetylcholine.
what does acetylcholine do?
it elicits muscle contractions and acts as a neuromodulator in the brain, regulating many functions including mem and sleep.
what pumps choline back into the presynaptic terminal?
choline transporter.
what are cholinergic receptors named after?
the selective agonists which mimic the effects of the endogenous ligand (ach).
how does botox target the cholinergic system?
it’s an injectable form of botulinum toxin which paralyses the muscles, causing them to remain relaxed.
muscarinic receptors don’t have many what?
agonists.
what are prototypical muscarinic antagonist examples?
atropine,
scopolamine.
what is atropine?
a muscarinic antagonist that is dangerous in excessive amounts.
it is a derivative of belladonna.
what does belladonna cause?
pupil dilation.
what can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease?
(case study).
cholinesterase inhibitor.
mementine.
what is glutamate synthesised from?
glutamine
by enzyme glutaminase.
Or
asparate
by transaminase.
what is glutamate broken down into and by what?
glutamine
by synthetase.
