What are the different types of amino acid neurotransmitters?
amino acids are small units that form proteins, and neurotransmitters are molecules that carry signals over nerve intersections or synapses. In the human nervous system, some amino acids act as neurotransmitters. These include glycine, gamma-aminoma-mounted acid (GABA), aspartate and glutamate. Amino acid neurotransmitters can either excite or inhibit nerve shooting on the synapses. It is believed that Gaba and Glycin usually inhibit nerve reactions, while glutamate and aspartate tend to excite.
In nerve synapses, ending of one nerve or neuron, it is separated from the beginning of the next gap known as synaptic splitting. The nerve signal, which is referred to as action potential, cannot exceed the synaptic cleft. Instead, endogenous chemicals such as amino acid neurotransmitters are used to carry the pulse. A nerve cell from which the pulse travels known as a presynaptic neuron. The presynaptic neuron produces amino acid neurotransmiTery, while recipient, or postsynaptic, neuron has receptors that bind them. Gaba consists of an enzyme present only in neurons. Amino acid neurotransmitters known as aspartate and glutamate are created inside cells in small structures known as mitochondria. They then move to a gel that fills a cell known as cytoplasm before they are closed inside the bubbles called Vesicula.
Glycin is also produced inside mitochondria. Poison known as strychnine blocks glycine receptors on postsynaptic neurons. This prevents glycine binding and creates its inhibitory effect on nerves, so there is unlimited excitation. Some muscles such as the membrane are unable to relax. A person with strychnine poisoning can be able to breathe, with potentials fatal results.
GABA production requires an enzyme known as decarboxylase of glutamic acid (GAD). This means that GAD antibodies,Proteins with receptors that bind to GAD can be used to identify that neurons produce gaba rather than other amino acid neurotransmitters. Gaba is the main neurotransmitter causing inhibition in nerve synapses in the nervous system. The alcohol in the brain is bound to GABA receptors and increases its effect to reduce neural activity. This is one of the reasons why alcohol can act as a sedative.
Inside the central nervous system, glutamate is the main neurotransmitter causing excitation in nerve synaps. Excess glutamate can be toxic because neurons are damaged if excitation is prolonged. Brain and stroke damage can sometimes cause glutamate excess, which in turn leads to damage and further loss of brain cells.