Neural signal transduction is a fundamental process enabling neurons to communicate with one anther and transmit information throughout the nervous system. It involves the conversion of an external stimulus or an electrical signal into intracellular biochemical responses that regulate neuronal activity, synaptic communication, and ultimately, brain function. One of the most crucial examples of neural signal transduction is neurotransmitter signalling at synapses. When an electrical action potential reaches the presynaptic terminal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These neurotransmitters then bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, initiating a cascade of intracellular events. Depending on the type of receptor, the response can be excitatory or inhibitory, leading to depolarization or hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic neuron. GPCRs are a prominent family of receptors involved in neural signal transduction. When a neurotransmitter binds to a GPCR on the postsynaptic membrane, the receptor activates a G-protein inside the cell. The activated G-protein then modulates intracellular signalling cascades, leading to changes in cellular function and, in some cases, gene expression. GPCRs therefore play crucial roles in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that allow the passage of specific ions across the neuronal membrane. Activation of ion channels through various mechanisms, such as ligand binding or changes in voltage, leads to changes in membrane potential and neuronal excitability. For example, ligand-gated ion channels, such as the NMDA receptor, play a pivotal role in long-term potentiation (LTP) and synaptic plasticity, contributing to learning and memory. Calcium ions are essential second messengers involved in a wide range of neural signal transduction processes. In response to various stimuli, including neurotransmitter binding and voltage changes, calcium ions are released from intracellular stores or enter the cell through calcium channels. Calcium signalling regulates processes such as synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and gene expression. Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) are a class of receptors that become phosphorylated upon ligand binding. Phosphorylated RTKs activate downstream signalling cascades, leading to cellular responses. Neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), activate RTKs, promoting neuronal survival, growth, and differentiation, whilst nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), initiate intracellular signalling pathways either directly or indirectly through other RTKs. Growth factor signalling regulates cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation during neural development and in response to injury. Nitric Oxide (NO) is a signalling molecule that diffuses freely across cell membranes. In the nervous system, NO is synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in response to various stimuli, including excitatory neurotransmitters. NO itself functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Neurons that express nNOS release NO as a signalling molecule to communicate with other neurons and modulate synaptic activity. NO acts as a retrograde neurotransmitter, meaning it can travel backward from the postsynaptic neuron to the presynaptic neuron, where it regulates neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. Upon release, NO diffuses to neighbouring cells and modulates various targets, including guanylate cyclase, leading to cGMP production. We provide a comprehensive product catalogue of research reagents for studying neural signal transduction, including NCAM antibodies, SOX2 antibodies, VCAM1 antibodies, VCAM1 ELISA Kits, and pan-AKT ELISA Kits. Explore our full neural signal transduction product range below and discover more, for less.