[RD5:p473]
Glycine is an important inhibitory transmitter in the spinal cord and brainstem
* c.f. Glycine faciliates the activation of NMDA receptors
Found in high concentration in the gray matter of the spinal cord
Glycine receptor
Glycine receptor resembles the GABAa receptor
Glycine receptor is a ligand-gated chloride channel
Multimeric
Located postsynaptically, mainly in the brainstem and the spinal cord
There is no therapeutic drugs modifying glycinergic transmission
Tetanus toxin acts selectively to prevent glycine release from inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord
--> Excessive reflex hyperexcitability and violent muscle spasm (lockjaw)
* Tetanus toxin resembles the botulinum toxin
Activation of glycine receptor
--> Increased chloride conductance
--> Hyperpolarisation
--> Fast inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)