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Related Concept Videos

The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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Chemical Synapses01:26

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Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
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Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and &ldquo;Neuron Ball&rdquo; Culture
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Aligning a Synapse.

Daniel Kerschensteiner1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Neuron
|March 24, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The alpha2delta4 (α2δ4) subunit is crucial for synaptic communication. It links calcium channels to glutamate receptors in the visual system, ensuring proper signal transmission.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Synaptic Plasticity
  • Visual System Development

Background:

  • Precise alignment of presynaptic release sites and postsynaptic receptors is essential for efficient synaptic communication.
  • The molecular mechanisms governing this alignment at excitatory synapses, particularly in the visual system, remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of alpha2delta4 (α2δ4) subunits in organizing synaptic structure and function.
  • To identify the molecular interactions of α2δ4 subunits at the first synapse of the visual system.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry and super-resolution microscopy to visualize protein localization.
  • Biochemical assays to confirm protein complex formation.
  • Electrophysiological recordings to assess synaptic function.

Main Results:

  • The study demonstrates that α2δ4 subunits are localized at the postsynaptic membrane, interacting with glutamate receptors.
  • α2δ4 subunits bridge calcium channels to a trans-synaptic complex containing glutamate receptors.
  • This interaction is critical for the proper positioning of receptors relative to release sites.

Conclusions:

  • The α2δ4 subunit acts as a key molecular linker, ensuring the precise alignment of pre- and postsynaptic components at visual synapses.
  • This finding provides new insights into the molecular architecture of excitatory synapses and their development.