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Related Concept Videos

The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.
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.
Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
11:02

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

Published on: January 4, 2010

microRNAs at the synapse.

Gerhard Schratt1

  • 1Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Neurowissenschaften, SFB488 Junior Group, Universität Heidelberg, and Institut für Neuroanatomie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. schratt@ana.uni-heidelberg.de

Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|November 6, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression in the nervous system, impacting synaptic development and function. These neural miRNAs are crucial for brain plasticity, memory, and may play a role in neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Combining Optogenetics with Artificial microRNAs to Characterize the Effects of Gene Knockdown on Presynaptic Function within Intact Neuronal Circuits
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Combining Optogenetics with Artificial microRNAs to Characterize the Effects of Gene Knockdown on Presynaptic Function within Intact Neuronal Circuits

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Interfacing Microfluidics with Microelectrode Arrays for Studying Neuronal Communication and Axonal Signal Propagation
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Interfacing Microfluidics with Microelectrode Arrays for Studying Neuronal Communication and Axonal Signal Propagation

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Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
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Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

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Combining Optogenetics with Artificial microRNAs to Characterize the Effects of Gene Knockdown on Presynaptic Function within Intact Neuronal Circuits
09:17

Combining Optogenetics with Artificial microRNAs to Characterize the Effects of Gene Knockdown on Presynaptic Function within Intact Neuronal Circuits

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Interfacing Microfluidics with Microelectrode Arrays for Studying Neuronal Communication and Axonal Signal Propagation
11:27

Interfacing Microfluidics with Microelectrode Arrays for Studying Neuronal Communication and Axonal Signal Propagation

Published on: December 8, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression.
  • Neural miRNAs play significant roles in synaptic development, including dendritogenesis, synapse formation, and maturation.
  • Evidence suggests miRNAs control synapse function and plasticity in adult nervous systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of neural microRNAs in synaptic development and function.
  • To highlight the local regulation of mRNA translation by miRNAs in the synaptodendritic compartment.
  • To emphasize the impact of neuronal activity on miRNA expression and function.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on neural miRNAs.
  • Analysis of research on miRNA involvement in synaptic plasticity.
  • Examination of the functional impact of miRNAs in neuronal compartments.

Main Results:

  • Neural miRNAs are critical for multiple stages of synaptic development.
  • miRNAs can regulate mRNA translation locally within synapses.
  • Neuronal activity modulates the expression and function of synapse-relevant miRNAs.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNA-based mechanisms have a substantial impact on higher-order brain functions such as memory.
  • Dysregulation of neural miRNAs may contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the vertebrate implications of miRNA-based neural mechanisms.