Abstract
Neurotransmitter is released from synaptic terminals by rapid and highly targeted fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. Several lines of evidence suggest that the trigger for vesicle fusion is the large increase in internal [Ca2+] (up to hundreds of micromolar) achieved within the submicroscopic domain of elevated calcium near open calcium channels. The rapid rise and fall of [Ca2+] in this microdomain, together with the fast Kinetics of the calcium-triggered fusion machinery, account for the speed of synaptic exocytosis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 329-334 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Seminars in the Neurosciences |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Calcium channels
- Exocytosis
- Synaptic transmission
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)