Page last updated: 2024-10-24

photoreceptor ribbon synapse

Definition

Target type: cellularcomponent

A ribbon synapse between a retinal photoreceptor cell (rod or cone) and a retinal bipolar cell. These contain a plate-like synaptic ribbon. [PMID:15626493]

The photoreceptor ribbon synapse is a specialized synapse found in the retina, responsible for transmitting signals from photoreceptor cells to bipolar cells. The cellular component of this synapse is highly structured and can be divided into distinct elements:

**1. Presynaptic terminal of the photoreceptor:** This is the site where neurotransmitter release occurs. It contains:

* **Ribbon:** A dense protein structure shaped like a ribbon that acts as a scaffold for synaptic vesicles. The ribbon is anchored to the plasma membrane and is essential for sustained neurotransmitter release.
* **Synaptic vesicles:** These small, membrane-bound organelles contain the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is released into the synaptic cleft.
* **Active zones:** Specialized regions of the plasma membrane where synaptic vesicles dock and release their neurotransmitter.
* **Ca2+ channels:** These channels are responsible for the influx of calcium ions into the presynaptic terminal, which triggers the release of synaptic vesicles.

**2. Synaptic cleft:** The space between the presynaptic terminal and the postsynaptic membrane of the bipolar cell.

**3. Postsynaptic membrane of the bipolar cell:** This membrane contains receptors that bind to the released glutamate, initiating a signal in the bipolar cell.

**4. Supporting cells:** These cells, including Müller glia, surround the photoreceptor synapse and provide structural support and regulate the extracellular environment.

**5. Other proteins:** A complex array of proteins, including scaffolding proteins, signaling molecules, and enzymes, are present at the synapse and play a role in regulating synaptic transmission.

**Overall, the cellular component of the photoreceptor ribbon synapse is a highly organized and dynamic structure that ensures efficient and sustained signal transmission from photoreceptors to bipolar cells, ultimately contributing to the processing of visual information.**'
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Proteins (3)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel subunit beta-2A voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel subunit beta-2 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q08289]Homo sapiens (human)
Dynamin-1A dynamin-1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q05193]Homo sapiens (human)
Heat shock cognate 71 kDa proteinA heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DAN]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (26)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
tacrinetacrine : A member of the class of acridines that is 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine substituted by an amino group at position 9. It is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Tacrine: A cholinesterase inhibitor that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Tacrine has been used to counter the effects of muscle relaxants, as a respiratory stimulant, and in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other central nervous system disorders.
acridines;
aromatic amine
EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor
nimodipinenimodipine : A dihydropyridine that is 1,4-dihydropyridine which is substituted by methyl groups at positions 2 and 6, a (2-methoxyethoxy)carbonyl group at position 3, a m-nitrophenyl group at position 4, and an isopropoxycarbonyl group at position 5. An L-type calcium channel blocker, it acts particularly on cerebral circulation, and is used both orally and intravenously for the prevention and treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured intracranial aneurysm.

Nimodipine: A calcium channel blockader with preferential cerebrovascular activity. It has marked cerebrovascular dilating effects and lowers blood pressure.
2-methoxyethyl ester;
C-nitro compound;
dicarboxylic acids and O-substituted derivatives;
diester;
dihydropyridine;
isopropyl ester
antihypertensive agent;
calcium channel blocker;
cardiovascular drug;
vasodilator agent
cetrimonium bromidecetyltrimethylammonium bromide : The organic bromide salt that is the bromide salt of cetyltrimethylammonium; one of the components of the topical antiseptic cetrimide.organic bromide salt;
quaternary ammonium salt
detergent;
surfactant
adenosine diphosphateAdenosine Diphosphate: Adenosine 5'-(trihydrogen diphosphate). An adenine nucleotide containing two phosphate groups esterified to the sugar moiety at the 5'-position.adenosine 5'-phosphate;
purine ribonucleoside 5'-diphosphate
fundamental metabolite;
human metabolite
tubercidintubercidin : An N-glycosylpyrrolopyrimidine that is adenosine in which the in the 5-membered ring that is not attached to the ribose moiety is replaced by a carbon. Tubercidin is produced in the culture broth of Streptomyces tubericidus.

Tubercidin: An antibiotic purine ribonucleoside that readily substitutes for adenosine in the biological system, but its incorporation into DNA and RNA has an inhibitory effect on the metabolism of these nucleic acids.
antibiotic antifungal agent;
N-glycosylpyrrolopyrimidine;
ribonucleoside
antimetabolite;
antineoplastic agent;
bacterial metabolite
n,n-dimethyl-1-dodecanamineN,N-dimethyl-1-dodecanamine: increases body weight & feed efficiency in animals; RN given refers to parent cpd
decylaminedecylamine: structurealkylamine
myristic acidMyristic Acid: A saturated 14-carbon fatty acid occurring in most animal and vegetable fats, particularly butterfat and coconut, palm, and nutmeg oils. It is used to synthesize flavor and as an ingredient in soaps and cosmetics. (From Dorland, 28th ed)

tetradecanoate : A long-chain fatty acid anion that is the conjugate base of myristic acid; major species at pH 7.3.

tetradecanoic acid : A straight-chain, fourteen-carbon, long-chain saturated fatty acid mostly found in milk fat.
long-chain fatty acid;
straight-chain saturated fatty acid
algal metabolite;
Daphnia magna metabolite;
EC 3.1.1.1 (carboxylesterase) inhibitor;
human metabolite
toyocamycintoyocamycin : An N-glycosylpyrrolopyrimidine that is tubercidin in which the hydrogen at position 5 of the pyrrolopyrimidine moiety has been replaced by a cyano group.

Toyocamycin: 4-Amino-5-cyano-7-(D-ribofuranosyl)-7H- pyrrolo(2,3-d)pyrimidine. Antibiotic antimetabolite isolated from Streptomyces toyocaensis cultures. It is an analog of adenosine, blocks RNA synthesis and ribosome function, and is used mainly as a tool in biochemistry.
antibiotic antifungal agent;
N-glycosylpyrrolopyrimidine;
nitrile;
ribonucleoside
antimetabolite;
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
bacterial metabolite
dodecylaminedodecylamine: RN given refers to parent cpdprimary aliphatic amine
dodecyltrimethylammonium bromidedodecyltrimethylammonium bromide : A quarternary ammonium cation having one dodecyl and three methyl substituents around the central nitrogen.bromide salt;
quaternary ammonium salt
surfactant
nsc 65346sangivamycin : A nucleoside analogue that is adenosine in which the nitrogen at position 7 is replaced by a carbamoyl-substituted carbon. It is a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C.

sangivamycin: RN given refers to parent cpd
nucleoside analogueprotein kinase inhibitor
stearylamineoctadecan-1-amine : An 18-carbon primary aliphatic amine.

stearylamine: RN given refers to parent cpd
primary aliphatic aminefilm-forming compound
n-tetradecylamineN-tetradecylamine: RN given refers to parent cpdalkylamine
1,12-dodecamethylenediamine1,12-dodecamethylenediamine: RN given refers to parent cpd

dodecane-1,12-diamine : An alkane-alpha,omega-diamine that is dodecane substituted by amino groups at positions 1 and 12.
alkane-alpha,omega-diamine
adenosinequinquefolan B: isolated from roots of Panax quinquefolium L.; RN not in Chemline 10/87; RN from Toxlitadenosines;
purines D-ribonucleoside
analgesic;
anti-arrhythmia drug;
fundamental metabolite;
human metabolite;
vasodilator agent
stearyltrimethylammonium bromideoctadecyltrimethylammonium bromide: structure in first source
8-aminoadenosine
5'-deoxyadenosine5'-deoxyadenosine : A 5'-deoxyribonucleoside compound having adenosine as the nucleobase.

5'-deoxyadenosine: main heading DEOXYADENOSINE refers to the 3' cpd
5'-deoxyribonucleoside;
adenosines
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite;
mouse metabolite
ag-213tyrphostin 47: inhibits protein-tyrosine kinase activity of EGF-R both in vitro and in living cells;
ag 99tyrphostin A46: epidermal growth factor-urogastrone receptor antagonist
ith 4012
ver 155008VER 155008: structure in first sourcepurine nucleoside
dynole 34-2dynole 34-2: a dynamin inhibitor; structure in first source
n'-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthahydrazidecatechols;
hydrazide;
hydrazone;
naphthols
EC 3.6.5.5 (dynamin GTPase) inhibitor
nms-e973NMS-E973: structure in first source