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The Co-Release of Glutamate and Acetylcholine in the Vertebrate Nervous System

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Co-Existence and Co-Release of Classical Neurotransmitters

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Abstract

Co-release of acetylcholine (ACh) and glutamate has been found in a number of cases including Xenopus tadpole spinal cord and hindbrain interneurons, neonatal mouse motoneuron central synapses and rat basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. It is not clear at present whether the co-release is restricted to certain developmental stages. The significance of co-release of both excitatory transmitters may include complex interactions between cholinergic and glutamatergic transmissions during normal functions or development. In Xenopus tadpole spinal cord, co-released ACh from glutamatergic excitatory interneurons (dINs) activate the nicotinic receptors which may help maintain tonic NMDA receptor mediated membrane potential depolarization that is critical for persistent swimming. Nicotinic excitation in early development may also help facilitate the maturation of glutamatergic transmission at dIN synapses.

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Acknowledgment

I thank Drs Steve Soffe and Alan Roberts for their helpful comments, the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society for their support, and Tim Colborn and Jenny Maxwell for technical assistance.

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  1. School of Biological, Bute Building, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16, 9TS, UK

    Wen-Chang Li

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Correspondence to Wen-Chang Li .

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  1. Centro de Investigación y de, Estudios Avanzados, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico, 07000, Mexico

    Rafael Gutierrez

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Li, WC. (2009). The Co-Release of Glutamate and Acetylcholine in the Vertebrate Nervous System. In: Gutierrez, R. (eds) Co-Existence and Co-Release of Classical Neurotransmitters. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09622-3_12

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