Copper — A Modulator of Peptide Release in the Brain

Abstract

A major conceptual understanding of brain function is the discovery that neurons are specialized secretory cells which secrete biologically active substances, e.g., biogenic amines, small peptides and polypeptides. Although the chemical nature of the secretory substances varies from one cell-type to the other, there are several features of the secretory process that are common to all secretory cells: a) the secretory substance(s) is sequestered within secretory granules; b) secretion occurs by means of exocytosis; and c) the trigger for exocytosis is of extracellular nature, operating at the level of the plasma membrane of the cell. In exocytosis, a granule approaches the plasma membrane, merges with it, and after rupture of the fused granule-plasma membranes, voids its content into the extracellular space (1). In this presentation, I would like to develop the concept that copper can serve as a neuromodulator of peptide release in the brain, using as an example the release of the decapeptide — luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH).