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Synaptic Signaling

Synaptic Signaling

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.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...

Synaptic Signaling

Synaptic Signaling

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.

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.
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

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...

The Synapse

The Synapse

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.

Neuronal Communication

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain

Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain

Published on: September 14, 2022

Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Neuronal Development and Synaptic Signaling.

Xiandeng Wu¹, Qixu Cai¹, Zhe Feng²

¹Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.

Developmental Cell

|July 30, 2020

Summary

Cells use liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to form membraneless compartments. In neurons, LLPS organizes protein assemblies crucial for cell polarity, division, and synaptic function, linking membraneless and membrane-based organelles.

Keywords:

neuronal development phase separation synapse formation synaptic signaling

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Last Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain

Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain

Published on: September 14, 2022

Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient

Preparation of Synaptic Plasma Membrane and Postsynaptic Density Proteins Using a Discontinuous Sucrose Gradient

Published on: September 3, 2014

Author Spotlight: Evaluation of Protein-Condensate Dynamics in Live Human Cells

Author Spotlight: Evaluation of Protein-Condensate Dynamics in Live Human Cells

Published on: January 5, 2024

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Neuroscience
Biophysics

Background:

Cells utilize membraneless compartments formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) for organization.
Neurons exhibit complex polarity and compartmentalization, requiring precise organelle localization.
Neuronal stem cell (NSC) polarity and asymmetric division involve LLPS-driven protein assemblies.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of LLPS in neuronal organization and function.
To investigate the formation and association of membraneless condensates in neurons.

Main Methods:

Review of recent studies on LLPS in cellular organization.
Analysis of protein assemblies involved in NSC polarity and neuronal synapses.

Main Results:

LLPS forms distinct molecular condensates essential for NSC polarity and asymmetric division.
Synaptic protein assemblies involved in neurotransmitter release and signaling likely form via LLPS.
These membraneless condensates associate with plasma membranes and membrane-bound organelles.

Conclusions:

LLPS is a key mechanism for organizing membraneless compartments in neurons.
Direct communication between membraneless and membrane-based organelles is a common feature in neuronal cells.