Question

A scientist wishes to develop a new drug that prevents synaptic communication via neuropeptides but not small molecule neurotransmitters. Which mechanism would be a good target for his drug

Answer 1

Disruption of axonal transport would be a good target for his drug.

What is disruption of axonal transport?

• Axonal transport defects are among the early molecular events leading to neurodegeneration in mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
• Gene expression profiles indicate that dynactin-1 mRNA is downregulated in degenerating spinal motor neurons of autopsied patients with sporadic ALS.
• Disruption of axonal transport also underlies the pathogenesis of spinal muscular atrophy and hereditary spastic paraplegias.
• The neurotoxin β,β′-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) selectively disrupts slow axonal transport without affecting fast anterograde or retrograde axonal transport.
• Impairment of slow axonal transport causes a proximal accumulation of neurofilaments.
• Because neurofilaments regulate axonal diameter, this accumulation leads to a marked swelling of the axon.
• Acrylamide causes decreased axonal transport, also causing proximal accumulations of neurofilaments and swelling.

To learn more about axonal transport,

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