The Squid Giant Synapse A Model for Chemical Transmission

by Llinas, Rodolfo R.

• ISBN13: 9780195116526
• ISBN10: 0195116526
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-10-28
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The squid giant synapse is the single most important model for investigating the transmitter release mechanism in chemical junctions. This unique book, by a leading expert in the field, gives a concise overview of all that has been learned about synaptic transmission in this superb model system. It covers in detail the biophysics of the voltage-dependent calcium currents, calcium concentration microdomains, and much of the molecular basis for the triggering of the secretory event. Ideal for graduate and undergraduate courses, the book includes PC and Macintosh versions of two programs for simulating and manipulating any aspect of synaptic transmission. One program is a modeling tool designed for working neuroscientists, and the other teaches the basic principles of synaptic transmission by allowing students to alter the parameters, essentially without limits, and see the effects on the action potential over time. Anyone studying this central topic of neuroscience will find this book an invaluable resource.

Author Biography

Rodolfo R. Llinas is the Thomas and Suzanne Murphy Professor of Neuroscience and Chair of the Department of Physiology and Neuroscience at New York University School of Medicine.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction	3	(12)
1.1 Historical Background	3	(1)
1.2 Overview of Synaptic Transmission	4	(7)
1.3 The Squid Giant Synapse	11	(4)
2 Electrophysiological Studies	15	(17)
2.1 Early Electrophysiological Studies	15	(3)
2.2 Synaptic Transmission without Action Potentials	18	(2)
2.3 Presynaptic Calcium Influx and Transmitter Release	20	(2)
2.4 Electrophysiological Properties of the Postsynaptic Potential	22	(7)
Appendix: Noise Analysis	29	(3)
3 Presynaptic Calcium Current and Transmitter Release	32	(41)
3.1 Presynaptic Voltage-Clamp Studies	32	(7)
3.2 Voltage Clamp with a Simulated Action Potential Waveform	39	(4)
3.3 Presynaptic Calcium Injections and Transmitter Release	43	(5)
3.4 Temperature Effects	48	(6)
3.5 Voltage Dependence of Transmitter Release	54	(5)
3.6 A Mathematical Model for Synaptic Transmission	59	(2)
3.7 Synaptic Plasticity	61	(1)
3.8 Calcium Concentration Microdomains	62	(9)
3.9 Summary	71	(2)
4 Molecular Mechanisms	73	(46)
4.1 Predocking Events	74	(10)
4.2 Vesicular Docking and Availability	84	(14)
4.3 Vesicular Fusion and Exocytosis	98	(19)
4.4 Summary	117	(2)
5 Toxins and Transmitter Release	119	(26)
5.1 The Clostridial Toxins	119	(2)
5.2 Tetanus Toxin and Synaptobrevin	121	(5)
5.3 Botulinum C Toxin and Syntaxin	126	(8)
5.4 Calcium Blockers and Synaptic Transmission	134	(9)
5.5 Summary	143	(2)
6 Peptides and Kinases	145	(10)
6.1 FMRFamide-Related Peptides	145	(4)
6.2 Tyrosine Kinase	149	(6)
7 Concluding Remarks	155	(4)
Appendix A The Mathematical Model for Synaptic Transmission	159	(3)
Appendix B A Computer Model for Synaptic Transmission	162	(19)
References	181	(36)
Index	217