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Evidence for ectopic neurotransmission at a neuronal synapse.
- Source :
-
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 2005 Jul 15; Vol. 309 (5733), pp. 446-51. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Neurotransmitter release is well known to occur at specialized synaptic regions that include presynaptic active zones and postsynaptic densities. At cholinergic synapses in the chick ciliary ganglion, however, membrane formations and physiological measurements suggest that release distant from postsynaptic densities can activate the predominantly extrasynaptic alpha7 nicotinic receptor subtype. We explored such ectopic neurotransmission with a novel model synapse that combines Monte Carlo simulations with high-resolution serial electron microscopic tomography. Simulated synaptic activity is consistent with experimental recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents only when ectopic transmission is included in the model, broadening the possibilities for mechanisms of neuronal communication.
- Subjects :
- Acetylcholine metabolism
Acetylcholinesterase metabolism
Algorithms
Animals
Chick Embryo
Diffusion
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials
Ganglia, Parasympathetic ultrastructure
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Mathematics
Microscopy, Electron
Patch-Clamp Techniques
Probability
Receptors, Nicotinic metabolism
Sensitivity and Specificity
Synapses ultrastructure
Synaptic Membranes metabolism
Synaptic Vesicles metabolism
Computer Simulation
Ganglia, Parasympathetic physiology
Models, Neurological
Monte Carlo Method
Synapses physiology
Synaptic Transmission
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1095-9203
- Volume :
- 309
- Issue :
- 5733
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Science (New York, N.Y.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16020730
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1108239