neurotransmitter receptor transport to plasma membrane

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The directed movement of neurotransmitter receptor to the plasma membrane in transport vesicles. [GOC:dos]

Neurotransmitter receptor transport to the plasma membrane is a complex and tightly regulated process that ensures the proper localization and function of these crucial signaling molecules. The journey begins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where newly synthesized receptors undergo folding and quality control. Once correctly folded, they are trafficked to the Golgi apparatus, where they may be further modified and sorted into transport vesicles. These vesicles bud off from the Golgi and travel to the plasma membrane, where they fuse and release their cargo, the receptors, into the extracellular space.

The transport of receptors is not a passive process; it is actively regulated by a variety of molecular players, including adaptor proteins, chaperones, and motor proteins. Adaptor proteins bind to specific signals on the receptor and link them to other proteins involved in vesicle formation and transport. Chaperones ensure that the receptor maintains its proper conformation and prevent aggregation. Motor proteins use energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to move vesicles along microtubule tracks, facilitating their journey to the plasma membrane.

The final step in the process involves the fusion of the transport vesicle with the plasma membrane, releasing the receptors into the extracellular space. This fusion event is mediated by specialized proteins called SNAREs, which interact with each other to promote membrane fusion.

The precise mechanism of neurotransmitter receptor transport to the plasma membrane varies depending on the specific receptor type and the cell type in which it is expressed. However, the general principles outlined above hold true for most receptors, ensuring their proper localization and function in neuronal communication.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (13)