An amino acid neurotransmitter is an amino acid which is able to transmit a nerve message across a synapse. Neurotransmitters (chemicals) are packaged into vesicles that cluster beneath the axon terminal membrane on the presynaptic side of a synapse in a process called endocytosis.
Amino acid neurotransmitter release (exocytosis) is dependent upon calcium Ca2+ and is a presynaptic response.
Types Excitatory amino acids (EAA) will activate post-synaptic cells. inhibitory amino acids (IAA) depress the activity of post-synaptic cells.
Amino acid Excitatory or inhibitory Aspartic acid Excitatory β-alanine Inhibitory Cysteine Excitatory GABA (adult human brain) Inhibitory (adult); excitatory (developing) Glycine Inhibitory Glutamic acid Excitatory Homocysteine Excitatory Taurine Inhibitory
See also Amino acid non-protein functions Monoamine neurotransmitter
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