Phasic transmitter release from tonic neurons.
Graded and prolonged presynaptic depolarizations trigger the tonic release of neurotransmitters from sensory neurons. In this issue of Neuron, Simmons reports that postsynaptic responses of locust interneuron synpapses are determined by the rate rather than the amplitude of presynaptic depolarization, suggesting a mechanism for increasing the signaling capabilities of this synapse with respect to visual processing.
Palmer
Mary J
MJ
The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
von Gersdorff
Henrique
H
D000818:Animals; D017952:Ganglia, Invertebrate / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D017956:Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter