Tyramine: a new receptor and a new role at the synapse.
Biogenic amines are typically regarded as neuromodulators rather than fast-acting neurotransmitters. In this issue of Neuron, Pirri et al. report the characterization of LGC-55 in C. elegans, the first identified tyramine-gated chloride channel. This study suggests that the roles of classical and trace biogenic amines in all organisms may need to be reconsidered.
Branicky
Robyn
R
Cell Biology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK. rsb@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk
Schafer
Wiliam R
WR
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D017982:Receptors, Biogenic Amine / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D017982:Receptors, Biogenic Amine; C066175:tyramine receptor