Activation of ATP P2X receptors elicits glutamate release from sensory neuron synapses

Article Abstract:

P2X receptors, a family of ligand-gated ion channels activated by the endogenous ligand ATP, are localized at presynaptic sites on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. When these receptors are activated, there is an increase in the frequency of spontaneous glutamate release. Sensory signal throughput can be modified by activation of P2X receptors at DRG central terminals. It could be that P2X receptors expressed on both the peripheral terminals and central presynaptic terminals are able to control or generate nociceptive signalling.

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Neuron protection agency

Article Abstract:

Arrasate and colleagues show that clumps of mutant protein, seen in certain neurons and characteristics of Huntington's disease, reduce the chance that the neurons will die - at least in culture. With the advent of studies by molecular geneticists and cell biologists, it became clear that, in the inherited forms of each of these diseases, inclusion bodies contain the protein encoded by the gene containing the disease-causing mutation.

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An efficient photoelectric X-ray polarimeter for the study of black holes and neuron stars

Article Abstract:

The development of a new generation of photoelectric polarimeters that are able to 'see' black holes and neutron stars is described.

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