Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology
Published on: April 23, 2019
Diversity of presynaptic calcium channels displaying different synaptic properties
Marcel A Kamp1, Daniel Hänggi, Hans-Jakob Steiger
1Department f Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, MoorenstraBe 5, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany. marcelalexander.kamp@uni-duesseldorf.de
Abstract:
Why mediate P-/Q-type and not N-type Ca2+ channels in cerebellar inhibitory interneurons? Neurotransmitter release relies most on P-/Q- and N-type Ca2+ channels in the vast majority of neurons, although all types of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are competent in initiating exocytosis. Up to date, it remains unclear why a particular Ca2+ channel type mediates neurotransmission in certain axon terminals and another type of Ca2+ channel evokes neurotransmission in axon terminals of another region. Therefore, the present review analyzes the diversity of presynaptic Ca2+ channels displaying different synaptic properties and focuses on an analysis of distribution and function of presynaptic voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, as well as on developmental changes.
Related Concept Videos
Chemical Synapses
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 Synapses
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...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
The Synapse
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

