title: Neurotransmitters and integration in neuronal-astroglial networks.
abstract: Two major neural cell types, glia, astrocytes in particular, and neurones can release chemical transmitters that act as soluble signalling compounds for intercellular communication. Exocytosis, a process which depends on an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) levels, represents a common denominator for release of neurotransmitters, stored in secretory vesicles, from these neural cells. While neurones rely predominately on the immediate entry of Ca(2+) from the extracellular space to the cytosol in this process, astrocytes support their cytosolic Ca(2+) increases by appropriating this ion from the intracellular endoplasmic reticulum store and extracellular space. Additionally, astrocytes can release neurotransmitters using a variety of non-vesicular pathways which are mediated by an assortment of plasmalemmal channels and transporters. Once a neuronal and/or astrocytic neurotransmitter is released into the extracellular space, it can activate plasma membrane neurotransmitter receptors on neural cells, causing autocrine and/or paracrine signalling. Moreover, chemical transmission is essential not only for homocellular, but also for heterocellular bi-directional communication in the brain. Further detailed understanding of chemical transmission will aid our comprehension of the brain (dys)function in heath and disease.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK. alex.verkhratsky@manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alexei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verkhratsky
authors.forename: José Julio
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parpura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005089:Exocytosis; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents