Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release

Neurons in the nervous system organize into complex networks and their functions are precisely controlled. The most important means for neurons to communicate with each other is transmission through chemical synapses, where the release of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic nerve terminal of one neuron influences the function of a second neuron. Since the discovery of chemical neurotransmission by Otto Loewi in the 1920s, great progress has been made in our understanding of mol- ular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. The last decade has seen an explosion of knowledge in this field. The aim of Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release is to provide up-to-date, in-depth coverage of essentially all major mole- lar mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. The contributors have made great efforts to write concisely but with sufficient background information, and to use figures/diagrams to present clearly key concepts or experiments. It is hoped that this book may serve as a learning tool for neuroscience students, a solid reference for neuroscientists, and a source of knowledge for people who have a general interest in neuroscience. I was fortunate to be able to gather contributions from a group of outstanding scientists. I thank them for their efforts. In particular, I want to thank Dr. Erik Jorgensen who offered valuable suggestions about the book in addition to contrib- ing an excellent chapter. I thank US National Science Foundation and National Institute of Health for their supports.

List of contents

The Architecture of the Presynaptic Release Site.- Multiple Modes of Fusion and Retrieval at the Calyx of Held Synapse.- Roles of SNARE Proteins in Synaptic Vesicle Fusion.- Roles and Sources of Calcium in Synaptic Exocytosis.- Regulation of Presynaptic Calcium Channels.- Synaptotagmin: Transducing Ca2+-Binding to Vesicle Fusion.- Functional Interactions Among the SNARE Regulators UNC-13, Tomosyn, and UNC-18.- Roles of the ELKS/CAST Family and SAD Kinase in Neurotransmitter Release.- The Role of Potassium Channels in the Regulation of Neurotransmitter Release.- Modulation of Neurotransmitter Release and Presynaptic Plasticity by Protein Phosphorylation.- Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis.- Lipids and Secretory Vesicle Exocytosis.- Neurotransmitter Reuptake and Synaptic Vesicle Refilling.- Regulation of Neurotransmitter Release by Presynaptic Receptors.- Transsynaptic Regulation of Presynaptic Release Machinery in Central Synapses by Cell Adhesion Molecules.- Differential Regulation of SmallClear Vesicles and Large Dense-Core Vesicles.

Summary

Neurons in the nervous system organize into complex networks and their functions are precisely controlled. The most important means for neurons to communicate with each other is transmission through chemical synapses, where the release of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic nerve terminal of one neuron influences the function of a second neuron. Since the discovery of chemical neurotransmission by Otto Loewi in the 1920s, great progress has been made in our understanding of mol- ular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. The last decade has seen an explosion of knowledge in this field. The aim of Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release is to provide up-to-date, in-depth coverage of essentially all major mole- lar mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. The contributors have made great efforts to write concisely but with sufficient background information, and to use figures/diagrams to present clearly key concepts or experiments. It is hoped that this book may serve as a learning tool for neuroscience students, a solid reference for neuroscientists, and a source of knowledge for people who have a general interest in neuroscience. I was fortunate to be able to gather contributions from a group of outstanding scientists. I thank them for their efforts. In particular, I want to thank Dr. Erik Jorgensen who offered valuable suggestions about the book in addition to contrib- ing an excellent chapter. I thank US National Science Foundation and National Institute of Health for their supports.

Additional text

From the reviews:

“Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release edited by Zhao Wen Wang provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the complex interactions occurring in pre synaptic neurons involved with chemical communication. … High quality illustrations a large number of which are in full color, support the information in the text … . This book is recommended for the researcher and student of neuroscience … . Neurology residents undergoing specialty training in neuromuscular disease will find this book to be an invaluable resource.” (Joseph Vito Russo, Medical Science Books, April, 2010)

Report

From the reviews: "Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release edited by Zhao Wen Wang provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the complex interactions occurring in pre synaptic neurons involved with chemical communication. ... High quality illustrations a large number of which are in full color, support the information in the text ... . This book is recommended for the researcher and student of neuroscience ... . Neurology residents undergoing specialty training in neuromuscular disease will find this book to be an invaluable resource." (Joseph Vito Russo, Medical Science Books, April, 2010)

Product details

• Authors: Zhao-Wen Wang
• Assisted by: Zhao-We Wang (Editor), Zhao-Wen Wang (Editor)
• Publisher: Humana Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.03.2014
• EAN: 9781627038843
• ISBN: 978-1-62703-884-3
• No. of pages: 364
• Series: Contemporary Neuroscience; Contemporary Neuroscience
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > Clinical medicine; C, Neurology, HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY, Neuroscience, Neurology & clinical neurophysiology, Neurosciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cellular biology (cytology), Zoology, Cell Biology, Neurobiology