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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient
08:30

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient

Published on: September 17, 2011

'Holistic' synaptogenesis.

Alexandros Poulopoulos1

  • 1Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. poulopoulos@em.mpg.de

Biochemical Society Transactions
|March 20, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Mammalian brain synapses exhibit diversity due to postsynaptic scaffolding proteins. Analyzing these protein superstructures is key to understanding synapse structure and function.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mammalian brain synapses are numerous and diverse in structure and function.
  • This diversity arises despite shared basic protein components.
  • Postsynaptic scaffolding proteins are crucial for synapse structure and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of postsynaptic scaffolding proteins in synapse heterogeneity.
  • To understand how these proteins contribute to synapse diversity and dynamics.
  • To emphasize the importance of analyzing synaptic superstructures.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of postsynaptic scaffolding protein assembly.
  • Investigation of protein conformational states in different microenvironments.

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

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Visualization of Thalamocortical Axon Branching and Synapse Formation in Organotypic Cocultures
06:16

Visualization of Thalamocortical Axon Branching and Synapse Formation in Organotypic Cocultures

Published on: March 28, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient
08:30

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient

Published on: September 17, 2011

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture
10:17

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

Published on: August 2, 2019

Visualization of Thalamocortical Axon Branching and Synapse Formation in Organotypic Cocultures
06:16

Visualization of Thalamocortical Axon Branching and Synapse Formation in Organotypic Cocultures

Published on: March 28, 2018

  • Study of synaptic superstructures.

    • Main Results:

    • Postsynaptic scaffolding proteins can assemble into membrane-tethered lattices.
    • These proteins adopt unique conformational states depending on the postsynaptic microenvironment.
    • Synaptic superstructure analysis is essential for mechanistic understanding.

    Conclusions:

    • The ability of scaffolding proteins to form diverse superstructures is a prerequisite for synapse heterogeneity.
    • Understanding synaptic superstructures is vital for elucidating postsynaptic differentiation and synapse dynamics.
    • Future research should focus on analyzing these larger protein assemblies rather than individual components.