Events

Advancing the Monoaminergic Neurotransmission Investigative Toolbox: Integrating the Developments of Fluorescent Optical Tracers and Inhibitors

Presented By: Christopher Hwu

Abstract:
Monoaminergic neurotransmission regulates numerous fundamental functions of the nervous system, including mood, cognition, learning, motor function, reward, sleep and wakefulness cycles. Its life cycle consists of the synthesis of modulatory neurotransmitters (namely, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) that are then sequestered into acidic synaptic vesicles (through vesicular monoamine transporter 2, VMAT2, in the brain) and subsequently released to the extracellular space upon vesicular fusion with the presynaptic bouton plasma membrane. These monoamines are then taken up by plasma membrane transporters, including dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET), and serotonin (SERT) transporters, for either cyclic repetition of release and uptake, or degradation. Dysregulation of such processes, resulting in concentration imbalances, have been implicated in numerous pathologies including, depression, drug addiction, and Parkinson’s Disease. In this talk, I will discuss the development of both fluorescent optical tracers (based on the acridone and quinolone cores) and monoamine transporter reuptake inhibitors (introducing the taxonomic Synaptic Reuptake Inhibitors class), which are necessary for the rigorous investigation of these etiologies.