Glycine

[RD5:p473]

Glycine is an important inhibitory transmitter in the spinal cord and brainstem
* c.f. Glycine faciliates the activation of NMDA receptors

Found in high concentration in the gray matter of the spinal cord

 

 

Glycine receptor

Glycine receptor resembles the GABAa receptor

Glycine receptor is a ligand-gated chloride channel

Multimeric

Located postsynaptically, mainly in the brainstem and the spinal cord

There is no therapeutic drugs modifying glycinergic transmission

Tetanus toxin acts selectively to prevent glycine release from inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord
--> Excessive reflex hyperexcitability and violent muscle spasm (lockjaw)
* Tetanus toxin resembles the botulinum toxin

Activation of glycine receptor
--> Increased chloride conductance
--> Hyperpolarisation
--> Fast inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)