[Ultrastructural mechanism of the long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission].
A review. The data concerning the structural changes that accompany long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission are analyzed. A bulk of morphological studies is aimed at searching for quantitative and qualitative structural LTP signs and elucidating the involvement of cytoskeleton in their formation. The role of cytoskeletal protein actin in synaptic structural and functional modification is discussed. On the basis of experimental evidence obtained by the authors a proposal is made that actin is involved into the LTP not only as a contractile protein but as a cable which strengthen the electrotonic properties of the synapses.
Moshkov
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DA
Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino State University, Pushchino. moshkov@menja.net
Pavlik
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LL
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
D015220:Calcium Channels