The active zones are specific sites of presynaptic terminals where the docking and the release of synaptic vesicles occur. They are complex, organized protein structures that anchor synaptic vesicles to the plasma membrane. Once bound to the active zone and docked to the plasma membrane, synaptic vesicles can properly respond to the changes of action […]
24 posts found
Cellular neurochemistry
Synapses dysfunction and synaptopathies
The concept of synaptopathy refers to any brain disorder related with the impairment of synaptic junctions. Indeed, this definition does not really distinguish whether synaptic dysfunction is the cause or the consequence of such disorders, and often knowing where and when the onset of a disease occurs it is not clear. What is clear is […]
Role of lipids in the secretory pathway
Exocytosis is an essential cellular activity, particularly evident in neuronal network. The secretion of proteins and other molecules, packed into lipid membranes, or granules, starts in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), involves the Golgi apparatus, and ends on the surface of the plasma membrane. The transport of molecules to be released outside the cells requires a […]
Modulation of inhibitory networks by gephyrin
The glycinergic and the GABAergic neurotransmission are essential inhibitory networks. Glycinergic synapses are mostly present in the spinal cord, brainstem and retina, while GABAergic synapses are preponderant in the fore-brain. Anyway, both types of receptors are often together at post-synaptic regions, thus regulating the neurotransmission at the same time but with different action mechanisms. GABAA […]
New applications of neuronal 3D cultures help to understand their metabolism
Scientists have the need to develop and choose the best biological models to understand the basis of the diseases in preclinical studies. Currently, animals and monolayer cell cultures (2D cultures) are widely spread as reference models. Anyway, these models are not completely reliable when it is necessary to comprehend some key events of the development […]
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