Plasticity of spontaneous synaptic transmission in the hypothalamus

下丘脑自发突触传递的可塑性

• 批准号: 298916-2011
• 负责人: Hirasawa, Michiru
• 金额: $ 2.91万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=526089
• 关键词: Plasticity; spontaneous; synaptic; transmission; hypothalamus

Synaptic transmission is one of the most fundamental processes of the nervous system function involving the release of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neuron, the subsequent binding of the transmitter to receptors and signal transduction at the postsynaptic neuron. In a textbook description of synaptic transmission, an action potential triggers neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic neuron (evoked release). However, neurotransmitters are also released without action potentials at virtually every synapse (spontaneous release). Recent research findings suggest that spontaneous transmitter release has significant effects on the postsynaptic neuron, including its electrical activity, protein synthesis, cell signaling and morphology. Therefore, we can conclude that spontaneous release conveys a significant physiological message at synapses, a role that could be distinct from that of precisely-timed evoked release. Despite its importance, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of spontaneous release remain poorly understood.

突触传递是神经系统功能的最基本过程之一，涉及神经递质从突触前神经元的释放，随后递质与受体的结合以及突触后神经元的信号转导。在突触传递的教科书描述中，动作电位触发突触前神经元释放神经递质（诱发释放）。然而，神经递质也在几乎每个突触上释放而没有动作电位（自发释放）。近年来的研究表明，自发性递质释放对突触后神经元的电活动、蛋白质合成、细胞信号传导和形态等都有重要影响。因此，我们可以得出结论，自发释放在突触上传递了重要的生理信息，这一作用可能与精确定时的诱发释放不同。尽管其重要性，自发释放的调节机制仍然知之甚少。