Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action01:17

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action

1.5K
Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers induce paralysis by competitively blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the muscle end plate. Examples include pancuronium, mivacurium, vecuronium, and rocuronium. These quaternary ammonium derivatives are administered intravenously, are poorly absorbed, and are excreted via the kidneys.
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...
1.5K
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade01:29

Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade

2.8K
The site of chemical communication between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber is called the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The end of the motor neuron at the NMJ divides into a cluster of synaptic end bulbs. The cytoplasm of these bulbs consists of synaptic vesicles enclosing acetylcholine molecules, the principal neurotransmitter released at the NMJ. The region opposite the synaptic bulb that ends in the muscle fiber is called the motor end plate, which has acetylcholine receptors. Within the...
2.8K
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:22

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

852
Cholinergic agonists or cholinomimetics mimic the action of acetylcholine to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They are categorized into direct-acting and indirect-acting agents. The direct-acting cholinergic drugs induce the parasympathetic response by directly binding to the muscarinic or nicotine receptors. In comparison, the indirect-acting cholinergic drugs prevent acetylcholine hydrolysis, indirectly contributing to the extended parasympathetic response.
The direct-acting...
852
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions01:27

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions

388
Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers prevent the membrane depolarization of muscle cells and inhibit muscle contraction. These are usually administered with anesthetics to achieve complete muscle relaxation. Upon administration, these drugs first block the small, rapidly contracting muscles of the face and hands, followed by the larger muscles of the trunk and the intercostal muscles. The diaphragm is the last muscle to be affected.
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...
388
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

2.1K
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...
2.1K
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions01:30

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions

613
Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists, also known as anticholinesterases, exert their pharmacological effects by enhancing cholinergic transmission in various body parts, including the neuromuscular junction, autonomic cholinergic synapses, and the brain.
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
613

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

<b>The correct identity of <i>Spirostreptus strangulatus</i> Humbert & de Saussure, 1870 as the first described member of Pseudonannolenidae (Spirostreptida: Cambalidea)</b>.

Zootaxa·2026
Same author

<b>Cave millipedes of the United States. XVII. A new troglobiotic <i>Nevadesmus</i> Shear, 2009 from an Arizona cave (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Macrosternodesmidae) with observations on associated fauna and ecology</b>.

Zootaxa·2026
Same author

<b>Additions to the millipede family Caseyidae Verhoeff, 1909. VI. Proposal of the new subfamily Opioninae, new species and records of the genus <i>Opiona</i> Chamberlin, 1951 and synonymy of <i>Speyosia</i> Causey, 1963 with <i>Opiona</i> (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Striariidea)</b>.

Zootaxa·2026
Same author

The PER2:BRCA1:POU2F1(OCT-1) ternary complex represents a multi-component scaffold model for circadian gene regulation.

Neurobiology of sleep and circadian rhythms·2026
Same author

Reshaping the millipede tree of life by inclusion of the last two unsampled orders.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same author

Differentiation of Plant and Animal-Derived Cholesterol Using irm-<sup>13</sup>C NMR and IRMS.

Magnetic resonance in chemistry : MRC·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2025

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises
16:16

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises

Published on: January 18, 2011

58.9K

Neuromodulating Alkaloids from Millipede Defensive Secretions.

Carla Menegatti1, Jared S Wood2, Paige Banks1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.

Journal of Natural Products
|January 24, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Millipedes secrete complex terpenoid alkaloids, like the newly discovered ischnocybines, which disorient predators. Ischnocybine A specifically binds to the sigma-1 neuroreceptor, offering insight into millipede defense mechanisms.

More Related Videos

Aplysia Ganglia Preparation for Electrophysiological and Molecular Analyses of Single Neurons
09:11

Aplysia Ganglia Preparation for Electrophysiological and Molecular Analyses of Single Neurons

Published on: January 13, 2014

9.0K
Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants
18:01

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants

Published on: August 18, 2008

14.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2025

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises
16:16

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises

Published on: January 18, 2011

58.9K
Aplysia Ganglia Preparation for Electrophysiological and Molecular Analyses of Single Neurons
09:11

Aplysia Ganglia Preparation for Electrophysiological and Molecular Analyses of Single Neurons

Published on: January 13, 2014

9.0K
Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants
18:01

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants

Published on: August 18, 2008

14.1K

Area of Science:

  • Natural Product Chemistry
  • Chemical Ecology
  • Neurobiology

Background:

  • Millipedes produce diverse chemical defenses, including less-studied terpenoid alkaloids.
  • Alkaloids are known to disorient predators, but their specific biochemical targets remain unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the defensive secretions of the millipede *Ischnocybe plicata*.
  • To elucidate the structure and properties of novel terpenoid alkaloids from this species.
  • To identify the biochemical target of these defensive compounds.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and structural elucidation of alkaloids using various analytical techniques.
  • Assessment of the defensive activity of secretions against ants.
  • Neuroreceptor binding assays to evaluate interactions with sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors.

Main Results:

  • Four new, highly oxidized terpenoid alkaloids, named ischnocybines, were identified.
  • Ischnocybines were actively secreted and demonstrated ant-disorienting properties.
  • Ischnocybine A exhibited potent and selective binding to the sigma-1 neuroreceptor.

Conclusions:

  • The discovered ischnocybines are the most complex millipede alkaloids found to date.
  • This study provides the first potential biochemical target (sigma-1 receptor) for millipede alkaloid defenses.
  • Findings advance understanding of chemical ecology and the evolution of invertebrate defense mechanisms.