Sandbox 250: Difference between revisions
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==='''Background Information'''=== | ==='''Background Information'''=== | ||
[[Image:AChE-Page-Cholinergic-Synapse.jpg|thumb|alt= Alt text| Figure 2. Cholinergic Synapse |375px]] | [[Image:AChE-Page-Cholinergic-Synapse.jpg|thumb|alt= Alt text| Figure 2. Cholinergic Synapse |375px]] | ||
When a nerve impulse reaches the presynaptic nerve terminal of a cholinergic synpase, it stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter, ACh (Figure 1), into the synaptic cleft. ACh diffuses across the cleft to the postsynaptic nerve terminal, where it binds reversibly to acetylcholine receptors embedded in the membrane of the postsynaptic nerve terminal. The binding of ACh to the receptors triggers a nerve impulse in the postsynaptic neuron. Finally AChE, anchored to the membrane of the postsynaptic nerve terminal (Figure 2), hydrolyzes ACh to acetate and choline, resulting in the termination of neurotransmission. | When a nerve impulse reaches the presynaptic nerve terminal of a cholinergic synpase, it stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter, ACh (Figure 1), into the synaptic cleft. ACh diffuses across the cleft to the postsynaptic nerve terminal, where it binds reversibly to acetylcholine receptors embedded in the membrane of the postsynaptic nerve terminal. The binding of ACh to the receptors triggers a nerve impulse in the postsynaptic neuron. Finally AChE, anchored to the membrane of the postsynaptic nerve terminal (Figure 2), hydrolyzes ACh to acetate and choline, resulting in the termination of neurotransmission. | ||
[[Image:AChE-Page-ACh_shematic.JPG|left|thumb|alt= Alt text| Figure 1. Chemical Structure of Acetylcholine |275px]] | [[Image:AChE-Page-ACh_shematic.JPG|left|thumb|alt= Alt text| Figure 1. Chemical Structure of Acetylcholine |275px]] | ||
Inhibition of AChE may result in various outcomes, depending on the physiological context. Toxins such as FAS-II, from the green mamba, a poisonous snake found in East Africa, inhibit AChE and ultimately lead to death. However, controlled inhibition of AChE, in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, by drugs designed for this purpose, alleviates their symptoms, including memory loss and disorientation. | Inhibition of AChE may result in various outcomes, depending on the physiological context. Toxins such as FAS-II, from the green mamba, a poisonous snake found in East Africa, inhibit AChE and ultimately lead to death. However, controlled inhibition of AChE, in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, by drugs designed for this purpose, alleviates their symptoms, including memory loss and disorientation. | ||
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7. Michal Harel, Weizmann Institute of Science | 7. Michal Harel, Weizmann Institute of Science | ||
8. Hostos Community College, Bronx, NY | 8. Natural Sciences Department,Hostos Community College, Bronx, NY | ||
9. Malcolm Twist | 9. Malcolm Twist | ||
