Orexin - Interaction With Other Neurotransmitter Systems

Interaction With Other Neurotransmitter Systems

Orexinergic neurons have been shown to be sensitive to inputs from Group III metabotropic glutamate receptors, adenosine A1 receptors, muscarinic M3 receptors, serotonin 5-HT_1A receptors, neuropeptide Y receptors, cholecystokinin A receptors, and catecholamines, as well as to ghrelin, leptin, and glucose. Orexinergic neurons themselves regulate release of acetylcholine, serotonin and noradrenaline, so despite the relatively small number of orexinergic neurons compared to other neurotransmitter systems in the brain, this system plays a key regulatory role and extensive research will be required to unravel the details. Orexins act on Gq-protein-coupled receptors signaling through phospholipase C (PLC) and calcium-dependent as well as calcium-independent transduction pathways. These include activation of electrogenic sodium-calcium exchangers (NCX) and a non-specific cationic conductance, likely channels of the transient receptor potential canonical-(TRPC) type activation of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels, closure of G-protein-activated inward rectifier potassium channels (GIRK), and activation of protein kinases, including protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase A (PKA), and mitogen-associated protein kinase, also called mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Postsynaptic actions of orexins on their numerous neuronal targets throughout the CNS are almost entirely excitatory.