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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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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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Synaptic Signaling01:09

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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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Fusion of Secretory Vesicles with the Plasma Membrane01:26

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Proteins and neurotransmitters in secretory vesicles can be released from a cell upon vesicle docking, priming, and fusion with the plasma membrane. Vesicles are docked and primed in preparation for the quick exocytosis of their contents in response to a stimulus. The fusion process is mainly carried out by a SNAP Receptor or SNARE complex, consisting of synaptobrevin, syntaxin-1, and SNAP-25.
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When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of...
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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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Two forms of asynchronous release with distinctive spatiotemporal dynamics in central synapses.

Gerardo Malagon1, Jongyun Myeong1, Vitaly A Klyachko1

  • 1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, United States.

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Summary

Asynchronous neurotransmitter release occurs in two distinct populations: inside the active zone (AZ) and ectopically outside. These populations exhibit different spatiotemporal dynamics and release site utilization compared to synchronous release.

Keywords:
active zoneasynchronous releaseneuroscienceneurotransmitter releasepresynaptic organizationratsynaptic terminals

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Synaptic Transmission

Background:

  • Asynchronous neurotransmitter release is a key process following action potentials.
  • The spatial organization and regulation of asynchronous release at the synaptic active zone (AZ) are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spatial organization and temporal dynamics of asynchronous release events.
  • To determine if asynchronous release utilizes the same sites as synchronous release.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized nanoscale-precision imaging of individual release events in rat hippocampal synapses.
  • Analyzed spatiotemporal properties and release site usage of asynchronous and synchronous events.

Main Results:

  • Identified two distinct subpopulations of asynchronous release events: ~75% inside the AZ (biased towards the center) and ~25% outside (ectopic).
  • Ectopic asynchronous events showed longer delays from synchronous events compared to intra-AZ events.
  • Both asynchronous subpopulations largely avoided the release sites used by synchronous events.
  • Asynchronous release differed from synchronous release in exo-endocytosis coupling, particularly in fast calcium-dependent endocytosis.

Conclusions:

  • Asynchronous neurotransmitter release comprises at least two distinct subpopulations with unique spatial and temporal characteristics.
  • These findings provide new insights into the regulation and organization of neurotransmitter release at the synapse.