Journal
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
Volume 61, Issue 4, Pages 610-621Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2011.12.001
Keywords
Astrocytes; Exocytosis; Glutamate; Neurons; Receptors; Signaling
Categories
Funding
- National Science Foundation [CBET 0943343]
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science
- IKERBASQUE
- Alzheimer's Research Trust [ART/PG2004A/1]
- Grant Agency of the Czech Republic [GACR 305/08/1384]
- Directorate For Engineering
- Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys [943343] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Astrocytes do not merely serve as the supporting cast and scenery against which starring roles would be played by neurons. Rather, these glial cells are intimately involved in many of the brain's functions by responding to neuronal activity and modulating it. Such interplay between two principle neural cells, neurons and astrocytes, is evidenced in bi-directional glutamatergic astrocyte-neuron signaling. A key feature in this signaling pathway is astrocytic excitability based on variations of cytosolic Ca2+. It enables astrocytes, through the activation of their glutamatergic receptors, to respond to the same signal used by nearby neurons in synaptic transmission. Furthermore, increases in cytosolic Ca2+ in astrocytes can subsequently lead to Ca2+-dependent exocytotic secretion of gliotransmitter glutamate that in turn can signal to adjacent neurons. Astrocytic secretory machinery includes an assortment of exocytotic proteins which governs a merger of secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane. A cumulative knowledge on astrocytic excitability will aid better understanding of operating procedures in the brain in health and disease. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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