ON PRODUCTION AND RELEASE OF CHEMICAL TRANSMITTERS AND RELATED TOPICS IN CELLULAR CONTROL

This paper makes some neurophysiological and biochemical predictions concerning transmitter production and release which are suggested by psychological postulates. A main theme is the joint control of presynaptic excitatory transmitter production by presynaptic and postsynaptic levels of membrane potential. This control is presumed to be effected by the interaction of the pairs (Na+, K+) and (Ca++, Mg++) of antagonistic ions whose binding properties to intracellular sites and enzymes set various cellular production levels. It is suggested that nerve cells are capable of learning as 'chemical dipoles'. A qualitative rationale is discussed for such phenomena as the following: joint inward fluxes of Na+ and Ca++ due to membrane excitation; distribution of mitochondria and synaptic vesicles near the synaptic cleft; sensitivity of RNA interaction to Mg++ concentration; stronger binding of Ca++ relative to K+ within the synaptic knobs; mobilization and depletion of transmitter by presynaptic spiking; post-tetanic potentiation; excitatory transients in transmitter release after a rest period; feedback inhibition of transmitter onto a late stage of transmitter production; transport down the axon of some lighter molecules produced in the cell body; proportionality of cell body membrane area to nuclear volume; intracellular tubules as faithful transport mechanisms between nerve cell body and nucleus, and from nucleus along axon to synaptic knobs; division of cell shape into a cell body, axon, and synaptic knobs as a structural manifestation of the underlying chemical dipole. © 1969.