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Related Concept Videos

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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Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
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Long-term Depression01:05

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Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
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Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Use of Synaptic Zinc Histochemistry to Reveal Different Regions and Laminae in the Developing and Adult Brain
09:50

Use of Synaptic Zinc Histochemistry to Reveal Different Regions and Laminae in the Developing and Adult Brain

Published on: October 29, 2017

Zinc is externalized rather than released during synaptic transmission.

Irma Nydegger1, Sean M Rumschik, Alan R Kay

  • 1Dept. Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

ACS Chemical Neuroscience
|January 12, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Zinc is released from synaptic vesicles during neurotransmission, but not freely. This study reveals zinc externalization, a novel mechanism in zinc-rich glutamatergic terminals.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Synaptic vesicles in some glutamatergic terminals store high concentrations of zinc.
  • The precise functions of this zinc during synaptic transmission remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether zinc is released during synaptic transmission.
  • To characterize the mechanism of zinc release from glutamatergic terminals.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the membrane-permeant zinc fluorophore, ZnAF-2, to detect zinc.
  • Stimulated brain slices using high potassium and electrical stimulation.

Main Results:

  • Observed an increase in ZnAF-2 fluorescence after stimulation, which persisted for minutes.
  • The fluorescence pattern indicated zinc was not freely released but coordinated to macromolecules during exocytosis.
  • Coined the term 'externalization' to describe this process.

Conclusions:

  • Synaptic transmission at zinc-rich glutamatergic terminals involves the externalization of zinc coordinated to macromolecules.
  • This mechanism differentiates zinc-rich terminals from metal-free counterparts, suggesting a novel form of synaptic signaling.