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Related Concept Videos

Long-term Potentiation01:35

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Long-term Potentiation01:25

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
Integrins01:10

Integrins

Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Activation of Integrins01:15

Activation of Integrins

Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

Integration of Synaptic Events

Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Fast Micro-iontophoresis of Glutamate and GABA: A Useful Tool to Investigate Synaptic Integration
07:08

Fast Micro-iontophoresis of Glutamate and GABA: A Useful Tool to Investigate Synaptic Integration

Published on: August 1, 2013

Integrins mediate functional pre- and postsynaptic maturation at a hippocampal synapse.

P Chavis1, G Westbrook

  • 1CNRS UPR 9023, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34094 Montpellier Cedex 05, France. chavisp@ccipe.montp.inserm.fr

Nature
|May 18, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Integrins, a type of cell-adhesion molecule, are crucial for the development of functional hippocampal synapses. Blocking integrin signaling prevents normal maturation, highlighting their role in central nervous system synapse development.

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Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Fast Micro-iontophoresis of Glutamate and GABA: A Useful Tool to Investigate Synaptic Integration
07:08

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Published on: August 1, 2013

Homochronic Transplantation of Interneuron Precursors into Early Postnatal Mouse Brains
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Homochronic Transplantation of Interneuron Precursors into Early Postnatal Mouse Brains

Published on: June 8, 2018

Transplantation of Human Stem Cell-Derived GABAergic Neurons into the Early Postnatal Mouse Hippocampus to Mitigate Neurodevelopmental Disorders
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Coordinated signaling between pre- and postsynaptic neurons is vital for central synapse development and function.
  • Cell-adhesion molecules, alongside diffusible molecules, may mediate bidirectional communication in synapses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of integrins, a class of cell-adhesion molecules, in the functional maturation of hippocampal synapses in vitro.
  • To determine if integrin signaling influences glutamate release probability and NMDA receptor subunit composition during synaptic development.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro studies on hippocampal synapses.
  • Chronic blockade using Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides targeting integrin-binding sites.
  • Functional antibody blockade against the beta3 integrin subunit.
  • Monitoring active synapses via antibody uptake against synaptotagmin I.

Main Results:

  • Integrins are required for the functional maturation of hippocampal synapses.
  • Blockade of integrin signaling prevented the activity-dependent reduction in glutamate release probability (Pr).
  • Integrin blockade also inhibited the switch in postsynaptic NMDA receptor subunit composition (NR2B to NR2A).
  • Beta3 integrin subunit immunoreactivity was detected in active synapses.

Conclusions:

  • Integrin-mediated signaling is essential for the orchestrated maturation of central excitatory synapses.
  • Integrins play a critical role in regulating synaptic function and plasticity during development.