Can a synaptic signal arise from noise?
The spontaneous fusion of vesicles at nerve terminals produces random miniature postsynaptic potentials (quantal responses) that are thought to have little functional significance. In this issue of Neuron, Sharma and Vijayaraghavan provide evidence that exogenous signals can accelerate and synchronize the occurrence of quanta strongly enough to activate postsynaptic neurons in what may be a new way to transfer information across synapses.
Zucker
Robert S
RS
Division of Neurobiology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000502:physiology; D012433:Ryanodine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D012433:Ryanodine; D009538:Nicotine; D002118:Calcium