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The action potential in mammalian central neurons.
1Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurobiology, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. bruce_bean@hms.harvard.edu
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|May 22, 2007
Summary
Mammalian neurons use diverse voltage-dependent ion channels to generate complex action potentials. Understanding channel expression reveals how these channels control unique neuronal firing patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Squid giant axon action potentials rely on two main voltage-dependent conductances.
- Mammalian central neurons express over a dozen types of voltage-dependent ion channels.
- This channel diversity enables complex neuronal signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between ion channel expression and neuronal firing patterns.
- To understand how diverse ion channels contribute to the functional specialization of neurons.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing literature on neuronal ion channel expression.
- Review of studies investigating the biophysical properties of different ion channels.
- Correlation of channel expression profiles with observed neuronal electrophysiology.
Main Results:
- Mammalian neurons exhibit a wide array of voltage-dependent ion channels, far exceeding simpler systems like the squid giant axon.
- Specific combinations and expression levels of these channels directly correlate with distinct action potential shapes, frequencies, and firing patterns.
- The diversity in ion channel expression is a key determinant of neuronal functional specialization.
Conclusions:
- The rich repertoire of voltage-dependent ion channels in mammalian neurons is crucial for their complex information processing capabilities.
- Understanding the molecular basis of neuronal firing patterns requires detailed knowledge of ion channel expression and function.
- Future research should continue to elucidate the precise roles of individual channel types in shaping neuronal activity.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Action Potential
Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
01:14Action Potential
Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
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Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
01:41Action Potentials
Overview
01:24Generation of Action Potential in Skeletal Muscles
Every cell in the body maintains a membrane potential due to an uneven distribution of positive and negative charges across its plasma membrane. The membrane potential is measured in millivolts and quantifies the difference in charge across the membrane.
Like neurons, muscle cells are also regarded as excitable due to their capacity to change in response to stimuli, primarily due to voltage-gated ion channels embedded in their plasma membranes, which get activated by alterations in the cell's...
Like neurons, muscle cells are also regarded as excitable due to their capacity to change in response to stimuli, primarily due to voltage-gated ion channels embedded in their plasma membranes, which get activated by alterations in the cell's...
01:23Propagation of Action Potentials
The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
01:28Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation
The action potential is a complex electrical event that occurs in excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. It consists of several distinct phases, each with specific characteristics.
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...