Synaptic metabolism

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Highly specialized synaptic metabolism depends not only on its specific anatomy but also on its main functions. In other words, we could say that the synapse has distinctive metabolic pathways that depend on the chemical composition of cellular microenvironments. This is related to localization and the particular characteristics of critical organelles such as neurotransmitter vesicles, synaptic mitochondria, cell membranes and receptors. Specific amino acids, proteins, lipids, regulation of calcium homeostasis, and energy metabolism including mitocondrial function are crucial elements that define possible synaptic metabolic pathways. 

The synapse is very rich in lipids that compose the vesicles where neurotransmitters are stored. Pre and post-synaptic membranes differ in lipid composition and include diverse intrinsic and extrinsic proteins. Glia is also very important to the regulation of glycolitic pathways, lactate and glutamate metabolism among other functions.

lipid_bilayerGreat variety of lipids

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Neuron-astrocyte communication

Although it has not been reported in detail in the literature, it would be tempting to define major synaptic metabolic pathways by the different synaptic anatomic sites. In particular, the metabolic pathways of amino acids, biogenic amines, lipids, purines, neuropeptides, synaptic receptors, as well as energy metabolism should be considered in detail. All of them are interconnected and compose what we could call the global “synaptic metabolism”.

In this section you will find information about how this synaptic metabolism could be defined and how it is affected by different neuropaediatric disorders including  inborn errors of metabolism.

24 posts published about Synaptic metabolism

Role of lipids in the secretory pathway

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Exocytosis is an essential cellular activity, particularly evident in neuronal network. The secretion of proteins and other molecules, packed into lipid membranes, or granules, starts in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), involves the Golgi apparatus, and ends on the surface of the plasma membrane. The transport of molecules to be released outside the cells requires a […]

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New applications of neuronal 3D cultures help to understand their metabolism

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Scientists have the need to develop and choose the best biological models to understand the basis of the diseases in preclinical studies. Currently, animals and monolayer cell cultures (2D cultures) are widely spread as reference models. Anyway, these models are not completely reliable when it is necessary to comprehend some key events of the development […]

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DHA: a key omega-3 fatty acid in children brain development

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Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid naturally present in cold water fatty fish, and in maternal breast milk. DHA is also available in fish oil, in algal supplements, and in fortified milk and eggs. Although DHA can be synthesized from short-chain precursor a-linolenic acid, diet-assumed DHA accumulates more efficiently in erythrocytes, breast […]

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Gut microbes induce serotonin production

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We know, thanks to years of investigation, that our intestine is populated by 1-2 kilograms of microorganisms, almost the equivalent of an average human brain. We also know that this living and transforming universe is critical for digestion of food, regulation of immune system, response to drugs and susceptibility to disease. Recently, amazing data indicate […]

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Sleep traps memory. The role of dopamine

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With only 100,000 neurons, the fruit fly Drosophila Melanogaster confirms that sleep is not only good for skin and mood, but also for memory. American researchers at Florida Campus of The Scripps Research Institute published in the journal Cell that remembering and forgetting are two processes closely related, dependent on the activation or inactivation of […]

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