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Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the communication between neurons in the autonomic nervous system. Neurons in the autonomic nervous system can be cholinergic or adrenergic depending on the neurotransmitters synthesized. Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter. This includes all the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic and pre- and postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous systems. In addition, neurons of the somatic nervous system also use...

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers within the nervous system, facilitating the communication between neurons. These chemical messengers, varying in function and effect, are critical for sustaining various aspects of neurological health and emotional well-being.

Classification of Neurotransmitters

Classification of Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the communication between neurons in the autonomic nervous system. Neurons in the autonomic nervous system can be cholinergic or adrenergic depending on the neurotransmitters synthesized. Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter. This includes all the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic and pre- and postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous systems. In addition, neurons of the somatic nervous system also use...

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...

Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (except those supplying the sweat glands) releasing noradrenaline or norepinephrine are called noradrenergic or adrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline, dopamine, adrenaline, or epinephrine are collectively called "catecholamines" as they contain a catechol moiety and an amine side chain. The five stages of neurotransmitter release involve their synthesis, storage, release, reuptake and metabolism.
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...

Neuronal Communication

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...

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Updated: May 29, 2026

Multi-Faceted Mass Spectrometric Investigation of Neuropeptides in Callinectes sapidus

Multi-Faceted Mass Spectrometric Investigation of Neuropeptides in Callinectes sapidus

Published on: May 31, 2022

What are neuropeptides?

J Peter H Burbach¹

¹Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.p.h.burbach@umcutrecht.nl

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|September 17, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Neuropeptides are diverse brain signaling molecules discovered through decades of research. This work defines neuropeptides and presents a resource of classical and putative neuropeptides for scientific study.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biochemistry
Endocrinology

Background:

Neuropeptides have been recognized as crucial chemical signals in the brain for over 40 years.
Their discovery is rooted in foundational research in physiology, endocrinology, and biochemistry.
Key historical concepts include peptide hormones as endocrine signals, neurosecretion in the nervous system, and neural responsiveness to peptides.

Purpose of the Study:

To define neuropeptides based on historical research and current understanding.
To identify and categorize the diverse range of neuropeptide signaling molecules in the brain.
To present a comprehensive resource of classical and putative neuropeptides.

Main Methods:

Synthesizing historical scientific literature on neuropeptides.
Analyzing the mammalian genome for genes encoding neuropeptide precursors.
Identifying peptide subfamilies with neuropeptide characteristics.

Main Results:

Neuropeptides are defined as small proteinaceous substances produced and released by neurons via regulated secretion, acting on neural targets.
Approximately 70 genes in the mammalian genome encode neuropeptide precursors and bioactive neuropeptides.
Several peptide subfamilies, including neural chemokines, cerebellins, neurexophilins, and granins, share hallmarks with classical neuropeptides.

Conclusions:

Neuropeptides represent the most diverse class of signaling molecules in the brain, involved in numerous physiological functions.
The study provides a consolidated resource of known and potential neuropeptides.
This resource aids further research into the roles and mechanisms of neuropeptide signaling.