Complexity of calcium signaling in synaptic spines
Open Access
- 22 November 2002
- Vol. 24 (12), 1130-1144
- https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.10193
Abstract
Long‐term potentiation and long‐term depression are thought to be cellular mechanisms contributing to learning and memory. Although the physiological phenomena have been well characterized, little consensus of their underlying molecular mechanisms has emerged. One reason for this may be the under‐appreciated complexity of the signaling pathways that can arise if key signaling molecules are discretely localized within the synapse. Recent findings suggest an unanticipated degree of structural organization at the synapse, and improved methods in cellular imaging of living tissue have provided much‐needed information about the intracellular dynamics of Ca2+, thought to be critical for both LTP and LTD. In this review, we briefly summarize some of these developments, and show that a more complete understanding of cellular signaling depends on the successful integration of traditional biochemistry and molecular biology with the spatial and temporal details of synaptic ultrastructure. Biophysically realistic computer simulations can have an important role in bridging these disciplines. BioEssays 24:1130–1144, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Periodicals, Inc.Keywords
This publication has 91 references indexed in Scilit:
- Rate, Timing, and Cooperativity Jointly Determine Cortical Synaptic PlasticityNeuron, 2001
- Signaling to the Nucleus by an L-type Calcium Channel-Calmodulin Complex Through the MAP Kinase PathwayScience, 2001
- An MCell model of calcium dynamics and frequency-dependence of calmodulin activation in dendritic spinesNeurocomputing, 2001
- Regulation of Synaptic Efficacy by Coincidence of Postsynaptic APs and EPSPsScience, 1997
- A Synaptically Controlled, Associative Signal for Hebbian Plasticity in Hippocampal NeuronsScience, 1997
- Evidence for silent synapses: Implications for the expression of LTPNeuron, 1995
- Acetylcholinesterase density and turnover number at frog neuromuscular junctions, with modeling of their role in synaptic functionNeuron, 1994
- Temporal limits on the rise in postsynaptic calcium required for the induction of long-term potentiationNeuron, 1992
- Postsynaptic Calcium Is Sufficient for Potentiation of Hippocampal Synaptic TransmissionScience, 1988
- Statistical constraints on synaptic plasticityJournal of Theoretical Biology, 1977