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Related Concept Videos

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...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of specific...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...

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Related Experiment Video

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Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
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Involvement of hyperpolarization-activated cation channels in synaptic modulation.

Marlène Genlain1, Emile Godaux, Laurence Ris

  • 1Laboratory of Neurosciences, University of Mons-Hainaut, Mons, Belgium.

Neuroreport
|July 17, 2007
PubMed
Summary

CyclicAMP increases miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) frequency in hippocampal neurons, primarily via hyperpolarization-activated cation channels (Ih). This effect on glutamate release is independent of the channels' ionic function, suggesting a bifunctional role for Ih channels.

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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: July 31, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Physiology

Background:

  • Elevated intracellular cyclicAMP concentration enhances miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) frequency in cultured hippocampal neurons.
  • This effect is traditionally attributed to protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of hyperpolarization-activated cation channels (Ih) in mediating the effects of cyclicAMP on mEPSCs.
  • To determine if the ionic channel activity of Ih channels is responsible for their influence on glutamate release.

Main Methods:

  • Patch-clamp electrophysiology in cultured hippocampal neurons.
  • Pharmacological manipulation of cyclicAMP levels and Ih channel activity.
  • Analysis of mEPSCs frequency and characteristics.

Main Results:

  • CyclicAMP-induced increase in mEPSCs frequency is largely dependent on the activation of Ih channels by cyclicAMP.
  • The effect of Ih channels on glutamate release is not mediated by membrane depolarization, indicating a non-ionic mechanism.
  • This suggests that Ih channels may possess functions beyond their role as ion channels.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperpolarization-activated cation channels (Ih) play a crucial role in mediating the effects of cyclicAMP on synaptic transmission.
  • The influence of Ih channels on glutamate release is independent of their ion channel function, pointing towards a bifunctional nature of the protein.