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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...
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

A synapse is a specialized structure where two neurons connect, allowing them to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. It is the point of communication between neurons. The term "synapse" is derived from the Greek word "synapsis," which means "conjunction." The entire process of neural communication revolves around the synapse. When activated, a neuron releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind to...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient
08:06

Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient

Published on: September 3, 2014

Kalirin-7 is required for synaptic structure and function.

Xin-Ming Ma1, Drew D Kiraly, Eric D Gaier

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|November 21, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Kalirin-7 (Kal7) is crucial for maintaining excitatory synapse structure and function in the adult nervous system. Its absence in mice leads to reduced synaptic density and specific cognitive deficits, highlighting its role in synaptic plasticity.

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Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and &ldquo;Neuron Ball&rdquo; Culture
10:17

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

Published on: August 2, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient
08:06

Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient

Published on: September 3, 2014

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and &ldquo;Neuron Ball&rdquo; Culture
10:17

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

Published on: August 2, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Rho GTPases and their regulators, Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), are vital for nervous system development and function.
  • Kalirin-7 (Kal7) is a key RhoGEF isoform found at excitatory synapses, influencing dendritic spine density.
  • Previous in vitro studies suggested Kal7's role in regulating dendritic spine formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vivo function of Kalirin-7 (Kal7) in synaptic structure and cognitive behavior.
  • To determine the role of Kal7 in hippocampal long-term potentiation and excitatory synapse development.

Main Methods:

  • Generation and analysis of Kalirin-7 knockout (Kal7(KO)) mice.
  • Golgi impregnation, electron microscopy, and Western blot analysis to assess synaptic density and protein levels.
  • Behavioral testing (elevated zero maze, passive avoidance, open field, object recognition, radial arm maze) and electrophysiological recordings (hippocampal long-term potentiation).

Main Results:

  • Kal7(KO) mice exhibited reduced hippocampal spine density and impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation.
  • Behavioral analysis revealed decreased anxiety-like behavior and deficits in passive avoidance learning, but normal performance in other cognitive tasks.
  • Cortical neurons from Kal7(KO) mice showed delayed deficits in excitatory synapse development in vitro, which were rescued by exogenous Kal7 expression.

Conclusions:

  • Kalirin-7 plays an essential role in maintaining adult excitatory synaptic structure and function.
  • Kal7 deficiency impacts specific cognitive processes related to learning and memory, as well as anxiety-like behaviors.
  • The study confirms Kal7's importance in synaptic plasticity and provides in vivo evidence for its role in cognitive function.