Targeted deletion of neuronal nitric oxide: a step closer to understanding its functional significance?

Article Abstract:

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free-radical gas synthesized by NO synthase (NOS) from L-arginine. Previous studies have shown that NO plays a role in neural transmission, in particular, in a putative cellular mechanism of learning, LTP. However, a number of findings cast doubt on the role of NO in LTP. Pharmacologic studies in mice mutant for NOS were conducted to clear this inconsistency. The mice showed no anatomical abnormality in the CNS and exhibited normal production of NOS neurones and normal behavior. It is suggested that mutant mice may have compensatory mechanisms to diminish the impact of NOS deletion. Further studies are being conducted to justify this conclusion.

Learning, Nitric oxide, Neurotransmitters

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Secreted acetylcholinesterase: non-classical aspects of a classical enzyme

Article Abstract:

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is often linked solely with the termination of cholinergic transmission, which it achieves by hydrolysing acetylcholine. However, studies indicate that AChE can influence neuronal functions through other means. AChE has been found to originate from a wide array of neuronal structures in the brain, such as the hippocampus, substantia nigra, striatum, cerebellum and hypothalamus. Purified AChE, on the other hand, has been demonstrated to have effects on membrane conductances, excitatory amino acid transmission and peptide hydrolysis.

Analysis, Cholinergic mechanisms, Acetylcholinesterase

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Getting the message from the gene to the synapse: sorting and intracellular transport of RNA in neurons

Article Abstract:

Studies were done to explain synaptic communication on the basis of sorting, transport and docking of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) at the postsynaptic sites of central nervous system neurons. Signals are released that chooses which mRNA stays in the cell body or will be transported to dendrites. They are then localized beneath synapses and participate in postsynaptic responses. The process also occurs in oocytes and in species ranging from Drosophila flies to humans.

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