Journal
SCIENCE
Volume 309, Issue 5733, Pages 446-451Publisher
AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/science.1108239
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Funding
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Funding Source: Medline
- NCRR NIH HHS [P41 RR006009, RR04050, P41 RR004050, P41-RR06009] Funding Source: Medline
- NIDCD NIH HHS [DC03192] Funding Source: Medline
- NIGMS NIH HHS [P20-GM065805, P20 GM065805, GM068630, R01 GM068630] Funding Source: Medline
- NINDS NIH HHS [NS35469, NS12601, R01 NS035469, R01 NS012601, P01-NS044306, P01 NS044306] Funding Source: Medline
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Neurotransmitter release is well known to occur at specialized synaptic regions that include presynaptic active zones and postsynaptic densities. At cholinergic synapses in the chick ciliary ganglion, however, membrane formations and physiological measurements suggest that release distant from postsynaptic densities can activate the predominantly extrasynaptic alpha 7 nicotinic receptor subtype. We explored such ectopic neurotransmission with a novel model synapse that combines Monte Carlo simulations with high-resolution serial electron microscopic tomography. Simulated synaptic activity is consistent with experimental recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents only when ectopic transmission is included in the model, broadening the possibilities for mechanisms of neuronal communication.
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