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Related Concept Videos

Generation of Action Potential in Skeletal Muscles01:24

Generation 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...
Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles01:29

Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles

The period of muscle contraction primarily influences the duration of stimulation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the presence of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the availability of energy or ATP to support contractions.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open.
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action01:17

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action

Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers induce paralysis by competitively blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the muscle end plate. Examples include pancuronium, mivacurium, vecuronium, and rocuronium. These quaternary ammonium derivatives are administered intravenously, are poorly absorbed, and are excreted via the kidneys.
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action01:28

Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action

Depolarizing blockers act on skeletal muscle fibers' membranes and induce their depolarization. Most depolarizing blockers have two quaternary N+ atoms that bind the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and cause neuromuscular blockade within minutes.
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because succinylcholine...
Action Potential01:14

Action 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...
Action Potential01:14

Action 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Levator Auris Longus Preparation for Examination of Mammalian Neuromuscular Transmission Under Voltage Clamp Conditions
10:45

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Published on: May 5, 2018

Neuronal depolarization modifies motor protein mobility.

K Lardong1, C Maas, M Kneussel

  • 1Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie Hamburg, ZMNH, Universität Hamburg, Falkenried 94, D-20251 Hamburg, Germany.

Neuroscience
|March 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Neuronal activity, induced by depolarization, significantly slows down cytoplasmic dynein transport along microtubules in neurons. This suggests neuronal activity regulates intracellular transport of essential neuronal cargoes.

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Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Motor Proteins

Background:

  • Active transport along microtubules is crucial for neuronal function, targeting various cellular components.
  • Cytoplasmic dynein is a key motor protein mediating retrograde transport in neurons due to microtubule polarity.
  • Dyneins are known to transport vital synaptic proteins, highlighting their importance in neuronal communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether changes in neuronal activity influence the transport dynamics of cytoplasmic dynein.
  • To determine if neuronal depolarization or action potential blockade affects dynein motor protein movement.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized live cell imaging in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons.
  • Employed a fluorescent fusion protein (monomeric red fluorescent protein [mRFP]-dynein intermediate chain [DIC]) to track dynein movement.
  • Induced neuronal activity via KCl depolarization and blocked action potentials using tetrodotoxin (TTX).

Main Results:

  • Neuronal depolarization significantly reduced dynein particle mobility, total travel distance, and velocity.
  • Blockade of neuronal action potentials with TTX did not alter dynein transport parameters.
  • These findings indicate a specific effect of depolarization on dynein-mediated transport.

Conclusions:

  • Neuronal depolarization is a potential regulatory mechanism for intracellular transport mediated by dynein.
  • Activity-dependent regulation of dynein transport may play a role in synaptic function and neuronal health.
  • Future research should explore the precise molecular pathways linking depolarization to altered dynein dynamics.