Biophysical and Biochemical Mechanisms in Synpatic Transmitter Release
Abstract
Four areas of research were addressed this summer. The first related to the study of the miniature synaptic potentials in squid synapse. The necessary low noise microelectrode amplifiers and computer programs were developed which allowed us to do on-line analysis of the spontaneous miniature release. Using this paradigm, the second portion of the research related to the effects of Synapsin I and CAM kinase II in spontaneous and evoked transmitter release. The results supported our previous hypothesis that synapsin I functions as a vesicular caging molecule. The other two areas of research developed this summer had to do with discovering that the American funnel-web spider venom (FTX) can block calcium entry into the pre-synaptic transmission in squid giant synapse. This blockage is accomplished by the flow of synpatic transmission without affecting the ionic conductance that generate the action currents pre- and post-synaptically. Finally, using FTX, the calcium channel from squid CNS were isolated and reconstitute into lipid bilayer and shown to have similar voltage dependent currents as those measured with pre-synpatic voltage clamp in the giant synapse.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA201423
Entities
People
- Rodolfo R. Llinas
Organizations
- NYU Langone Health