Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Neuromuscular Junction01:19

The Neuromuscular Junction

19.4K
The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...
19.4K
Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design01:28

Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design

1.8K
Drug design is a dynamic field that involves discovering and developing new medications based on specific biological targets. This process heavily relies on structure-activity relationships (SAR) and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) to guide the design and optimization of efficient drugs.
SAR studies the intricate relationship between a drug's chemical structure and biological activity. It focuses on understanding how modifications to a drug's structure can influence...
1.8K
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade01:29

Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade

5.1K
The site of chemical communication between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber is called the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The end of the motor neuron at the NMJ divides into a cluster of synaptic end bulbs. The cytoplasm of these bulbs consists of synaptic vesicles enclosing acetylcholine molecules, the principal neurotransmitter released at the NMJ. The region opposite the synaptic bulb that ends in the muscle fiber is called the motor end plate, which has acetylcholine receptors. Within the...
5.1K
Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:30

Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

6.7K
Local anesthetics (LAs) are drugs that induce a temporary loss of sensation in a limited body area, preventing pain. Cocaine was the first local anesthetic discovered in the late 19th century. Cocaine is a benzoic acid ester obtained from the leaves of coca shrubs and was often used for its psychotropic effects. Cocaine was first isolated in 1860 by Albert Niemann. Sigmund Freud studied the physiological actions of cocaine. Carl Koller later introduced it into clinical practice in 1884 as a...
6.7K
Cholinergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:29

Cholinergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

2.8K
Cholinergic antagonists bind to cholinergic receptors and limit the effects of acetylcholine and other cholinergic agonists. Based on the specific cholinergic receptor affinity, these antagonists are classified as muscarinic or nicotinic. Anticholinergics interrupt parasympathetic innervations while sympathetic innervations remain uninterrupted. Muscarinic antagonists are also called 'muscarinic antagonists', 'antimuscarinics', or 'parasympatholytics'. Nicotinic...
2.8K
Adrenergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:16

Adrenergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

3.9K
Adrenergic agonists' structure-activity relationship (SAR) determines their selectivity and efficacy. These agonists comprise a phenylethylamine moiety with an aromatic ring and an ethylamine side chain.
Aromatic ring substitutions: Substituting the aromatic ring with –OH groups at positions 3 and 4 yields catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which have a high affinity for adrenoceptors. Hydrogen bonding between –OH groups and receptors enhances adrenergic activity.
Separation of...
3.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Neuromuscular Junction: A Shared Vulnerability in Aging and Disease.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience·2025
Same author

Ageing-induced weakness of mouse NMJs is associated with reduced active zone density, synaptic event kinetics and presynaptic calcium entry.

The Journal of physiology·2025
Same author

Age-Related Homeostatic Plasticity at Rodent Neuromuscular Junctions.

Cells·2024
Same author

Simulations of active zone structure and function at mammalian NMJs predict that loss of calcium channels alone is not sufficient to replicate LEMS effects.

Journal of neurophysiology·2023
Same author

Potentiation of neuromuscular transmission by a small molecule calcium channel gating modifier improves motor function in a severe spinal muscular atrophy mouse model.

Human molecular genetics·2023
Same author

Neuromuscular Active Zone Structure and Function in Healthy and Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome States.

Biomolecules·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Dissection and Imaging of Active Zones in the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction
06:05

Dissection and Imaging of Active Zones in the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction

Published on: April 27, 2011

16.1K

Active zone structure-function relationships at the neuromuscular junction.

Anne E Homan1, Stephen D Meriney1

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Synapse (New York, N.Y.)
|June 30, 2018
PubMed
Summary

The arrangement of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) at the presynaptic terminal significantly influences neurotransmitter release dynamics. Understanding this organization may reveal evolutionary advantages in synaptic function across species.

Keywords:
calcium channelsneuromuscular junctionpresynaptic terminalssynapsessynaptic vesicles

More Related Videos

Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality
10:40

Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality

Published on: August 6, 2017

18.7K
Characterization of Neuromuscular Junctions in Mice by Combined Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy
11:03

Characterization of Neuromuscular Junctions in Mice by Combined Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy

Published on: December 8, 2021

4.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Dissection and Imaging of Active Zones in the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction
06:05

Dissection and Imaging of Active Zones in the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction

Published on: April 27, 2011

16.1K
Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality
10:40

Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality

Published on: August 6, 2017

18.7K
Characterization of Neuromuscular Junctions in Mice by Combined Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy
11:03

Characterization of Neuromuscular Junctions in Mice by Combined Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy

Published on: December 8, 2021

4.5K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Synaptic Physiology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • The organization of presynaptic release sites is crucial for synaptic function.
  • Neurotransmitter release is highly sensitive to calcium influx, with a nonlinear relationship.
  • Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are key regulators of calcium influx.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review structure-function studies of transmitter release sites.
  • To explore the relationship between VGCC organization and synaptic function.
  • To determine if specific VGCC organizational structures offer evolutionary advantages.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical structure-function studies.
  • Analysis of transmitter release sites at the neuromuscular junction.
  • Comparative study across three model preparations.

Main Results:

  • VGCC organization and density relative to calcium sensors critically shape neurotransmitter release dynamics.
  • Different model preparations exhibit distinct VGCC organizational patterns.
  • These organizational differences may confer species-specific evolutionary benefits.

Conclusions:

  • The spatial arrangement of VGCCs is a major determinant of synaptic transmission efficacy.
  • Comparative analysis of VGCC organization provides insights into evolutionary adaptations of synaptic function.
  • Further research into VGCC structure-function relationships is warranted.