Structural And Functional Organization Of The Synapse

Johannes W. Hell (auth.), Johannes W. Hell, Michael D. Ehlers (eds.)9780387772318, 0387772316

Synapses play a central role in the brain by mediating signal transmission between neurons. This book provides a fundamental description of the synapse by leading experts in the field. Each individual synapse carries out its numerous functions in a tiny space, thereby requiring an exquisite molecular and functional arrangement. This book describes the molecular structure and cellular function of central synapses in the brain, providing a detailed view of the brain’s fundamental unit of information storage.

Table of contents :
Front Matter….Pages I-XVIII
Diversity in Synapse Structure and Composition….Pages 1-22
The Role of Glutamate Transporters in Synaptic Transmission….Pages 23-61
Structure and Function of Vertebrate and Invertebrate Active Zones….Pages 63-89
Neurotransmitter Release Machinery: Components of the Neuronal SNARE Complex and Their Function….Pages 91-110
The Molecular Machinery for Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis….Pages 111-146
Initiation and Regulation of Synaptic Transmission by Presynaptic Calcium Channel Signaling Complexes….Pages 147-172
Adhesion Molecules at the Synapse….Pages 173-204
Dendritic Organelles for Postsynaptic Trafficking….Pages 205-249
Structure and Mechanism of Action of AMPA and Kainate Receptors….Pages 251-269
Cellular Biology of AMPA Receptor Trafficking and Synaptic Plasticity….Pages 271-287
Structure and Function of the NMDA Receptor….Pages 289-316
Molecular Properties and Cell Biology of the NMDA Receptor….Pages 317-367
Surface Trafficking of Membrane Proteins at Excitatory and Inhibitory Synapses….Pages 369-406
Scaffold Proteins in the Postsynaptic Density….Pages 407-440
Ca 2+ Signaling in Dendritic Spines….Pages 441-458
Postsynaptic Targeting of Protein Kinases and Phosphatases….Pages 459-500
Long-Term Potentiation….Pages 501-534
Homeostatic Synaptic Plasticity….Pages 535-552
Ubiquitin and Protein Degradation in Synapse Function….Pages 553-600
Signaling from Synapse to Nucleus….Pages 601-620
Molecular Organization of the Postsynaptic Membrane at Inhibitory Synapses….Pages 621-660
Acid-Sensing Ion Channels (ASICs) and pH in Synapse Physiology….Pages 661-681
Glia as Active Participants in the Development and Function of Synapses….Pages 683-714
Plasticity of Dentate Granule Cell Mossy Fiber Synapses: A Putative Mechanism of Limbic Epileptogenesis….Pages 715-729
Stroke – A Synaptic Perspective….Pages 731-758
Introduction and Pathological Pain….Pages 759-779
Back Matter….Pages 781-801