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Chemical Synapses

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.
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Chemical Synapses

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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: Feb 22, 2026

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Astrocytes control synaptic strength by two distinct v-SNARE-dependent release pathways.

Yvonne Schwarz¹, Na Zhao², Frank Kirchhoff²

¹Molecular Neurophysiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.

Nature Neuroscience

|September 26, 2017

Summary

Astrocytes use distinct vesicular SNARE proteins to control brain signaling. Cellubrevin-mediated neuropeptide Y release reduces signaling, while synaptobrevin II-mediated glutamate release enhances it.

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Last Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

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Published on: October 4, 2018

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Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates

Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates

Published on: March 20, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Glia-neuron communication is vital for brain function.
Molecular mechanisms of gliotransmission are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate the roles of synaptobrevin II and cellubrevin in astrocytic release.
Elucidate the functional consequences of these pathways on neuronal signaling.

Main Methods:

Utilized null-mutants for Vamp2 (synaptobrevin II) and Vamp3 (cellubrevin).
Generated compound null-mutants for both genes.
Assessed astrocytic release processes and their impact on synaptic signaling.

Main Results:

Astrocytes express synaptobrevin II on glutamatergic vesicles and cellubrevin on NPY-containing vesicles.
Cellubrevin-dependent NPY release diminishes synaptic signaling.
Synaptobrevin II-dependent glutamate release enhances synaptic signaling.

Conclusions:

Identified two distinct v-SNARE-dependent astrocytic release pathways.
These pathways oppositely control synaptic strength.
Uncovered novel mechanisms of astrocyte-neuron communication.