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Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

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Proteins show rotational as well as lateral diffusion across the membrane. The lateral diffusion of proteins was confirmed through the cell fusion experiment where mouse and human cells were fused, resulting in hybrid cells. When the human and mouse cells fused, the specific membrane proteins on human and mouse cells were marked with the red and green-fluorescent markers, respectively. Initially, the red and green fluorescence was located on the respective hemisphere of the cell. As time...

The Synapse

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Synaptic Signaling

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Synaptic Signaling

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Diffusion

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Real-time Iontophoresis with Tetramethylammonium to Quantify Volume Fraction and Tortuosity of Brain Extracellular Space

Real-time Iontophoresis with Tetramethylammonium to Quantify Volume Fraction and Tortuosity of Brain Extracellular Space

Published on: July 24, 2017

Extracellular space diffusion and extrasynaptic transmission.

L Vargová¹, E Syková

¹Department of Neuroscience, Charles University, Second Medical Faculty, Prague, Czech Republic.

Physiological Research

|May 17, 2008

Summary

Neurotransmitter diffusion in the extracellular space (ECS) is key for brain communication. ECS properties like volume, tortuosity, and anisotropy influence signaling and are altered in various brain conditions.

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Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals

Published on: May 25, 2011

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biophysics
Cellular Biology

Background:

Extracellular space (ECS) diffusion is crucial for neuronal communication and extrasynaptic transmission.
ECS diffusion is characterized by volume fraction (alpha), tortuosity (lambda), and uptake (k').
Diffusion parameters vary across brain regions, leading to inhomogeneous and anisotropic diffusion.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of ECS diffusion parameters in neurocommunication.
To understand how changes in ECS properties affect brain function.
To highlight the significance of diffusion parameters in physiological and pathological states.

Main Methods:

Characterization of ECS diffusion using parameters: volume fraction (alpha), tortuosity (lambda), and uptake (k').
Analysis of diffusion inhomogeneity and anisotropy in the central nervous system (CNS).
Examination of how cellular changes (swelling, glial remodeling, ECM changes) impact diffusion.

Main Results:

ECS diffusion parameters are region-specific, causing inhomogeneous diffusion in the CNS.
Diffusion barriers can create anisotropic diffusion, channeling molecule migration.
Altered ECS volume, tortuosity, and anisotropy significantly impact neuroactive substance accumulation and diffusion.

Conclusions:

Changes in ECS diffusion parameters critically affect extrasynaptic transmission, neuron-glia communication, and synaptic crosstalk.
Altered diffusion influences cell migration, drug delivery, and therapeutic strategies.
Understanding ECS diffusion dynamics is vital for comprehending brain function and dysfunction.