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Related Concept Videos

Chemical Synapses01:26

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.
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...
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Chemical Synapses01:26

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.
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...
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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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Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

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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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Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

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Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
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Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

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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.
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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
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Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

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Protecting Connections from Synapse Elimination.

Gabrielle L Sell1, A Kimberley McAllister1

  • 1Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

Trends in Neurosciences
|September 5, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neurons possess proteins like SRPX2 that shield synapses from immune cell elimination. This discovery offers potential therapeutic targets for brain disorders involving synapse loss.

Keywords:
C1qC3SRPX2complementsushi domain proteinsynapse elimination

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Last Updated: Dec 9, 2025

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Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Synapse elimination is crucial for brain development and function.
  • Aberrant synapse loss is implicated in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • The complement system plays a role in regulating synaptic pruning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate neuronal proteins that protect synapses from complement-mediated elimination.
  • To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying synapse protection.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of identified proteins in neurological disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to detect protein localization.
  • Biochemical assays to study protein-protein interactions (SRPX2 and C1q).
  • In vitro and in vivo models of synapse elimination.

Main Results:

  • Neurons express Sushi Repeat-Containing Protein X2 (SRPX2), which binds to the complement protein C1q.
  • SRPX2 binding to C1q inhibits the classical complement pathway activation.
  • SRPX2 prevents microglial-mediated engulfment of synapses.

Conclusions:

  • SRPX2 acts as a crucial neuronal shield against complement-driven synapse elimination.
  • SRPX2 and related sushi domain proteins are promising therapeutic targets for conditions characterized by synaptic loss.
  • Targeting SRPX2 may offer novel strategies for treating neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.