Protein modifications involved in neurotransmitter and gasotransmitter signaling

Nilkantha Sen, Solomon H. Snyder

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Covalent modifications of intracellular proteins, such as phosphorylation, are generally thought to occur as secondary or tertiary responses to neurotransmitters, following the intermediation of membrane receptors and second messengers such as cyclic AMP. By contrast, the gasotransmitter nitric oxide directly S-nitrosylates cysteine residues in diverse intracellular proteins. Recently, hydrogen sulfide has been acknowledged as a gasotransmitter, which analogously sulfhydrates cysteine residues in proteins. Cysteine residues are also modified by palmitoylation in response to neurotransmitter signaling, possibly in reciprocity with S-nitrosylation. Neurotransmission also elicits sumoylation and acetylation of lysine residues within diverse proteins. This review addresses how these recently appreciated protein modifications impact our thinking about ways in which neurotransmission regulates intracellular protein disposition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)493-502
Number of pages10
JournalTrends in Neurosciences
Volume33
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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