regulation of acetylcholine secretion, neurotransmission

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of the regulated release of acetylcholine. [GOC:ef]

Acetylcholine secretion, a fundamental process in neurotransmission, is meticulously regulated to ensure precise and efficient signaling within the nervous system. This intricate process involves a series of steps, starting with the synthesis of acetylcholine within the presynaptic neuron. Acetylcholine is synthesized from choline and acetyl-CoA by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase. Once synthesized, acetylcholine is packaged into synaptic vesicles, small membrane-bound sacs that store and release neurotransmitters. The arrival of an action potential at the presynaptic terminal triggers the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels, allowing calcium ions to influx into the presynaptic neuron. This calcium influx initiates a cascade of events that lead to the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, releasing acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft, the narrow gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. Acetylcholine diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to its receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. These receptors can be nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, ionotropic receptors that directly open ion channels upon acetylcholine binding, or muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, metabotropic receptors that initiate intracellular signaling cascades through G-protein activation. The binding of acetylcholine to its receptors elicits a postsynaptic response, which can be excitatory or inhibitory depending on the type of receptor and the downstream signaling pathways involved. To ensure precise and controlled signaling, the effects of acetylcholine are terminated rapidly by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which hydrolyzes acetylcholine into choline and acetate. Choline is then taken back up into the presynaptic neuron to be recycled for the synthesis of new acetylcholine, while acetate diffuses away. This continuous cycle of acetylcholine synthesis, packaging, release, binding, and breakdown ensures the rapid and efficient transmission of signals across synapses, facilitating communication within the nervous system and enabling complex brain functions.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (41)