Cotransmitter

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Cotransmitters are neurotransmitters that are released together with the actual, low-molecular neurotransmitter at the synapses of the nerve cells . The release of transmitter and cotransmitter is called cotransmission .

Many of the cotransmitters are peptides ( neuropeptides ). Also adenosine triphosphate acts outside of cells as cotransmitters. Peptidergic cotransmitters are responsible for long-term adjustments of the excitability ( neuromodulation ), the low molecular weight transmitters take over the fast synaptic transmission.

Peptidergic cotransmitters are stored in larger vesicles than low molecular weight transmitters. In order for them to be released, they need more activation. They are only released when several action potentials arrive at short intervals. They are calcium- controlled.

Individual evidence

  1. Michael Freissmuth: Pharmacology and Toxicology. Springer-Verlag, 2016, ISBN 978-3-662-46689-6 , p. 156.