Novel Aspects of Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are conventionally viewed as nerve-secreted substances that mediate the stimulatory or inhibitory neuronal functions through binding to their respective receptors. Based on their specific chemical structure, neurotransmitters are divided into three categories: (1) amino acids, including acetylcholine (Ach), glutamate, glycine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); (2) biogenic amines, including dopamine, norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), and serotonin; (3) peptidergic neurotransmitters termed neuropeptide, including but not limited to substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), opioids, calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), bombasin, neurotensin, and many others. In the past decades, many novel discoveries have come to light elucidating the expanded biology of neurotransmitters beyond their traditional role as chemical messengers. Understanding the biology and their clinical relevance of these discoveries is of utmost importance, since this knowledge allows the development of new physiological paradigms and therapeutic approaches.

This Research Topic aims to provide a fundamental presentation of the current status of our understanding of the other non-canonical regulatory roles and molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitters in the physiological functions of cells, tissues, and organs and pathological conditions.

We welcome the submission of Original Research, Methods, Review and Mini-Review articles that cover, but are not limited to the following topics:
- Monoaminylation and its physiological functions
- Roles of neurotransmitter in immune regulation
- Roles of neurotransmitter in metabolic regulation
- Roles of neurotransmitter in gastrointestinal motility
- Roles of neurotransmitter in hematopoiesis, stemness, and regeneration
- Roles of neurotransmitter in tumor initiation and progression