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

Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

2.5K
Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
2.5K
The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

138.3K
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.
138.3K
Overview of Synapses01:25

Overview of Synapses

9.8K
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...
9.8K
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

8.8K
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...
8.8K
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

12.5K
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...
12.5K
Plasticity00:58

Plasticity

3.3K
Plasticity is the property where an object loses its elasticity and undergoes irreversible deformation, even after the deformation forces are eliminated. If a material deforms irreversibly without increasing stress or load, then this is called ideal plasticity. For example, when a force is applied to an aluminum rod, it changes its shape, but it does not return to its original shape once the force is removed. Plastic deformation or ductility is thus a permanent deformation or change in the...
3.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

The schizophrenia associated protein DISC1 forms a multivalent tetrameric hub via conserved UVR dimers.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Ipriflavone From <i>Aquilaria malaccensis</i> Lam. Exosome-Like Nanoparticles Targets Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain Protein 2 (PHD2) to Enhance Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-α (HIF-α) Hydroxylation Thereby Alleviating Hypoxia-Induced Gastrointestinal Mucosal Ferroptosis.

MedComm·2026
Same author

Diagnostic value of non-magnifying gastroscopy followed by targeted biopsy for detection of early gastric cancer: Multicenter prospective study.

Endoscopy international open·2026
Same author

IL-8-driven neutrophil NETosis triggers endothelial apoptosis and exacerbates preeclampsia.

Journal of translational medicine·2026
Same author

Optimization of anaerobic fermentation and aerobic stability of total mixed ration via wet distiller's grains incorporation: Insights into clean recycling and nitrogen emissions control.

Food chemistry·2026
Same author

MOV10 Promotes the Proliferation of Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells by Regulating the miR-21-5p-Mediated TGFβ/Smad7 Signaling Pathway.

ACS omega·2026
Same journal

Population codes for context-dependent decision-making.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

Cichlid fish as a model for understanding social dysfunction.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

On aims and methods in field neuroethology: Investigating neural mechanisms of behavior in semi-natural and natural contexts.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

Neurobiological interfaces connecting environmental change to monarch butterfly migration.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

Learning how to experience the world: From circuits to cell types to genes.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026
Same journal

Editorial overview for neurobiology of disease 2026.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and &ldquo;Neuron Ball&rdquo; Culture
10:17

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

Published on: August 2, 2019

8.7K

Synapse formation and plasticity: why is phase separation required?

Mingjie Zhang1

  • 1School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.

Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|April 2, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Protein condensates formed via phase separation are essential for synapse function. These structures organize synaptic vesicles and neurotransmitter receptors, enabling neuronal communication and plasticity.

More Related Videos

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
07:51

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

Published on: November 14, 2014

18.0K
Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
11:02

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

Published on: January 4, 2010

11.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and &ldquo;Neuron Ball&rdquo; Culture
10:17

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture

Published on: August 2, 2019

8.7K
Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors
07:51

Inhibitory Synapse Formation in a Co-culture Model Incorporating GABAergic Medium Spiny Neurons and HEK293 Cells Stably Expressing GABAA Receptors

Published on: November 14, 2014

18.0K
Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
11:02

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

Published on: January 4, 2010

11.9K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Synapses are highly compartmentalized structures crucial for neuronal communication.
  • Efficient neuronal signaling requires precise protein targeting and concentration within subsynaptic compartments.
  • Protein condensates, formed via phase separation, play a vital role in organizing synaptic components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explain the essential role of phase separation and condensate formation in synapse development and function.
  • To highlight the unique properties of protein condensates that support synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Main Methods:

  • This opinion piece synthesizes existing research and theoretical concepts.
  • It focuses on the principles of phase separation and biomolecular condensates in a biological context.

Main Results:

  • Protein condensates organize synaptic vesicles into functional pools in presynaptic terminals.
  • Postsynaptic density (PSD) condensates cluster neurotransmitter receptors and enzymes on the postsynaptic side.
  • Condensate properties directly influence synaptic transmission efficacy and synaptic plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • Phase separation is a fundamental mechanism for creating functional compartments within synapses.
  • Protein condensates provide a versatile platform for regulating synaptic protein organization and function.
  • Understanding condensate dynamics is key to comprehending synaptic communication and neurological disorders.