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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

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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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Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

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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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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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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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Synaptic Signaling01:12

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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient
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SUMOylation balance: a key determinant in synapse physiology.

Alessia Bertozzi1, Walter Toscanelli1, Giuditta Castellitto2

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.

Frontiers in Physiology
|October 17, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO)ylation is a key post-translational modification regulating neuronal communication. Understanding SUMOylation

Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseSUMOylationneuronpost-translational modificationssynapse

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

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Synaptic function relies on precise protein regulation.
  • Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial for controlling protein activity and localization.
  • SUMOylation, a dynamic PTM, significantly impacts nervous system function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the enzymatic cascade of SUMOylation and its impact on protein function.
  • To elucidate the role of SUMOylation within synaptic compartments.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of modulating SUMOylation in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of SUMOylation mechanisms and synaptic regulation.
  • Analysis of SUMOylation's role in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity.
  • Exploration of SUMOylation dysregulation in neurological disorders.

Main Results:

  • SUMOylation regulates protein conformation, interactions, stability, and localization.
  • SUMOylation is essential for spatiotemporal control in synaptic compartments.
  • Imbalances in SUMOylation are linked to synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.

Conclusions:

  • SUMOylation is a critical regulator of synaptic structure and function.
  • Dysregulated SUMOylation contributes to neurodegenerative pathologies.
  • Targeting SUMOylation pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.