Neurotransmission and the synapse

Nerve cells talk to each other at synapses by releasing neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA, serotonin and dopamine. Receptors on the next cell open ion channels or trigger signaling, and transporters and enzymes then clear the signal. Many medicines, toxins and drugs of abuse act on the proteins shown here.

Open Torpedo acetylcholinesterase in 3D

23 structures

Torpedo acetylcholinesterase1EA5
Human acetylcholinesterase with donepezil4EY7
Donepezil is used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Acetylcholine-binding protein1I9B
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor2BG9
GABA-A receptor with diazepam (Valium)6HUP
Zebrafish glycine receptor with glycine3JAE
AMPA-type glutamate receptor3KG2
NMDA receptor4PE5
Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor4PIR
GABA-B receptor in the active state7C7Q
Dopamine D2 receptor with risperidone6CM4
Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor with LSD6WGT
Mouse mu-opioid receptor4DKL
Cannabinoid receptor CB15TGZ
Human serotonin transporter with paroxetine5I6X
Fruit fly dopamine transporter with nortriptyline4M48
LeuT neurotransmitter transporter homolog2A65
Glutamate transporter homolog GltPh1XFH
SNARE complex for synaptic vesicle fusion1SFC
Botulinum neurotoxin type A3BTA
Botox works by cutting a SNARE protein so vesicles cannot fuse.
Human acetylcholinesterase (AlphaFold)P22303 (AlphaFold)
Human synaptotagmin-1 (AlphaFold)P21579 (AlphaFold)
Human NMDA receptor subunit GluN1 (AlphaFold)Q05586 (AlphaFold)

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