Acetylcholine release in rapid synapses: two fast partners--mediatophore and vesicular Ca2+/H+ antiport.
Rapid neurotransmission is like lightning: a spark of calcium in the nerve terminal, a spark of transmitter in the cleft, and the signal is over. But "time is gained at the expense of sensitivity" (Katz, 1988); transmission relies on low-affinity, high-speed reactions. These fast processes are modulated by regulating reactions that do not need to be so rapid.
Dunant
Yves
Y
Neurosciences, C.M.U., CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. Yves.Dunant@medecine.unige.ch
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017920:Antiporters / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D017920:Antiporters; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C027614:calcium-hydrogen antiporters; C050299:mediatophore; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002118:Calcium