title: Functional interactions between presynaptic calcium channels and the neurotransmitter release machinery.
abstract: In vertebrates, the physical coupling between presynaptic calcium channels and synaptic vesicle release proteins enhances the efficiency of neurotransmission. Recent evidence indicates that these synaptic proteins may feedback directly on synaptic release by negatively regulating calcium entry, and indirectly through pathways involving second messenger molecules. Studies of individual neurons from both vertebrates and invertebrates have provided novel insights into the roles of scaffolding proteins in calcium channel targeting and neurotransmitter release. These studies require us to expand current models of synaptic transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Northwest Calgary, T2N 4N1, Canada.
authors.forename: J David
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Spafford
authors.forename: Gerald W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Zamponi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents