Glutamate Receptors

Video Clip :: detail of layered Plexiglas + video version of Glutamate Koan.

Neurotransmitter action can be excitatory or inhibitory... often both depending on the pathway involved. Glutamate is exceptionally prevalent in our bodies, especially in the cortex, where it is a primary excitatory neurotransmitter. A number of receptor types transmit glutamate signaling to the interior of a neuron. One class is the familiar G-protein coupled receptor (more below), and the others often involve ion channels. Both are shown in this painting Glutamate Koan.

Serotonin and Dopamine Receptors

One class of receptors for many neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, are the G protein-coupled receptors. They are characterized by a helical protein molecule that winds back and forth through the neuronal cell membrane seven times. The helix can be seen in both paintings above. The red and turquoise square thing is not part of any cell. It's from outer space.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal transduction pathways and, ultimately, cellular responses. GPCRs have been linked to many normal  and disease-related biological conditions. In fact, up to 60 percent of modern medicinal drugs affect this class of receptor target. *

Mammalian Retina 52" x 82" digital print and mixed media

Detail

GABA

GABA is a "stop" neurotransmitter. It's action is primarily inhibitory. For example, it can help keep us from feeling overstimulated. Drugs that calm us down, like the benzodiazapines (e.g. Valium & Librium), bind to and activate GABA receptors. GABA Dreamtime shows the primary GABA receptors in action. Below is the Manual Digital group exhibition at Levy Art + Architecture's gallery – space.151. On the far wall of the gallery are three limited edition prints: Serotonin, GABA Bottom of a Dream, and Alpha Helix which shows the beautiful helical structure of the G-protein-coupled receptors.

The Four Dopamine Pathways and Alpha Helix Structure of the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor

Nerve Impulse in Action

Axons carry nerve impulses, action potentials, to a down-stream (mostly) synapse where neurotransmitters continue the signal passing across the synapse to the following neuron. This painting shows an action potential (the glowy area between two long 'beaded' segments) traveling down an axon. The beads on the string are insulating myelin. The node between them is a veritable Rube Goldberg machine of ion pumps and channels all working together to keep the impulse on it's way, or sometimes inhibit it. Representations of these 'moving parts' can be seen in the detail to the right.

Optogenetics

Acetlycholine