title: Assessment of frequency-dependent alterations in the level of extracellular Ca2+ in the synaptic cleft.
abstract: The synaptic cleft may be represented as a very thin disk of extracellular fluid. It is possible that at high stimulation frequencies the interval between pulses would be insufficient for diffusion of Ca2+ from the periphery of the cleft to replace extracellular Ca2+ depleted at the center of the cleft as a result of activation of postsynaptic, Ca2(+)-permeable channels. Computer modeling was employed to assess the impact of activation of glutamate receptor channels (GRCs) in the postsynaptic membrane on the level of extracellular Ca2+ within the synaptic cleft. The model includes calcium influx from the synaptic cleft into the postsynaptic compartment through GRC and calcium efflux through calcium pumps and Na/Ca exchangers. Concentrations of extracellular Ca2+ inside the cleft are estimated by using a compartmental model incorporating flux across the postsynaptic membrane and radial diffusion from the edges of the cleft. The simulations suggest that substantial extracellular Ca2+ depletion can occur in the clefts during activation of GRCs, particularly at high stimulation frequencies used to induce long-term potentiation (LTP). Only minimal transitory changes in extracellular Ca2+ are observed at low frequencies. These frequency-dependent alterations in extracellular Ca2+ dynamics are a direct reflection of the activity of GRCs and could be involved in the modulation of presynaptic function via a retrograde messenger mechanism, if there are extracellular Ca2+ sensors on the presynaptic membranes. The recently cloned extracellular Ca2(+)-sensing receptors that are known to be present in nerve terminals in hippocampus and other areas of the brain could potentially play such a role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachsetts, USA.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Vassilev
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mitchel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vassilev
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanazirska
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004058:Diffusion; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008954:Models, Biological; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium