Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Elementary Steps in Synaptic Transmission Revealed by Currents Through Single Ion Channels

  • Conference paper
Cellular Metabolism of the Arterial Wall and Central Nervous System

Part of the book series: Sitzungsberichte der Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften ((3027,volume 1993/94 / 1993/1))

  • 51 Accesses

Abstract

The plasma membrane of a cell separates its interior from the extracellular environment and from other cells and acts both as a diffusional barrier and as an electrical insulator. This allows differentiation of cells with specialized functions. Coordinated behavior of multicellular organisms requires exchange of signals between individual cells. Because the signal must be transferred from one cell to another, it must occur by a mechanism that allows it to traverse the insulating cell membrane. Signaling occurs in various ways via specific receptors on the receiving cells and subsequent generation of a transmembrane signal. The nervous system connects cells in a very specific way, and signal transmission between individual cells takes place at contacts, called synapses, that are anatomically and functionally highly specialized.

With permission of the Nobel Foundation 1992

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References and Notes

  1. B. Katz, Nerve, Muscle and Synapse (McGrawHill, New York, 1966).

    Google Scholar 

  2. B. Katz, The Release of Neural Transmitter Substances (Liverpool Univ. Press, Liverpool, UK, 1969)

    Google Scholar 

  3. B. Katz, and R. Miledi, J. Physiol. (London) 224, 665 (1972).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. C. R. Anderson and C. F. Slevens, ibid 235, 655 (1973).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. E. Neher, in Les Prix Nobel en 1991 (Nobel Foundation, Stockholm, in press).

    Google Scholar 

  6. J. Axelson and S. Thesleff, J. Physiol. (London) 147, 178 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  7. E. Neher and B. Sakmann, ibid 253, 705 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  8. W. Betz and B. Sakmann, ibid 230, 673 (1973)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. E. Neher, B. Sakmann, J. H. Steinbach, Pfluegers Arch. 375, 219 (1978).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. E. Neher and B. Sakmann, Nature 260, 799 (1976).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. B. Sakmann, Fed. Proc. 37, 2654 (1978).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. O. P. Hamill, A. Marty, E. Neher, B. Sakmann, F. Sigworth, Pfluegers Arch. 391, 85 (1981).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. B. Sakmann, J. Patlak, E. Neher, Nature 286, 71 (1980).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. K. L. Magleby and C. F. Stevens, J. Physiol. (London) 223, 173 (1972)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. D. Colquhoun and B. Sakmann, Nature 294, 464 (1981)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. D. Colquhoun, J. Physiol. (London) 369, 501 (1985).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. D. Colquhoun and A. G. Hawkes, Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. B 199, 231 (1977)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. D. Colquhoun, Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London Ser. B 300, 1 (1982)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. J. Del Castillo and B. Katz, Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. B 146, 369 (1957)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. B. Sakmann and H. R. Brenner, Nature 276, 401 (1978).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. A. Michler and B. Sakmann, Dev. Biol. 80, 125 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. O. P. Hamill and B. Sakmann, Nature 294, 462 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. B. Sakmann, V. Witzemann, H. Brenner, in Fidia Research Foundation Neuroscience Award Lectures (Raven, New York, 1991), vol. 6, pp 53–103

    Google Scholar 

  24. A. Karlin, Harvey Lect. 85, 121 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  25. R. Miledi, I. Parker, K. Sumikawa, in Fidia Research Foundation Neuroscience Award Lectures (Raven, New York, 1989), vol. 3, pp. 57–90.

    Google Scholar 

  26. S. Numa, Harvey Lect. 83, 121 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  27. C. Methfessel et al., Pfluegers Arch. 407, 577 (1986).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. M. Mishina et al., Nature 321, 406 (1986).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. V. Witzemann, B. Barg, Y. Nishikawa, B. Sakmann, S. Numa, FEBS Lett. 223, 104 (1987)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. V. Witzemann et al., Eur J. Biochem. 194, 437 (1990)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. V. Witzemann, B. Barg, M. Criado, E. Stein, B. Sakmann, FEBS Lett. 242, 419 (1989)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. V. Witzemann, H. R. Brenner, B. Sakmann, J. Cell. Biol. 114, 125 (1991).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. M. Nürnberger, I, Dürr, W. Kues, M. Koenen, V. Witzemann, EMBO J. 10, 2957 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  34. V. Witzemann and B. Sakmann, FEBS Lett. 282, 259 (1991)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. B. Hille, Ionic Channels of Excitable Membranes (Sinauer, Sunderland, MA, 1984).

    Google Scholar 

  36. M. Mishina et al., Nature 313, 364 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. B. Sakmann et al., ibid. 318, 539 (1985).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. K. Imoto et al., ibid 324, 670 (1986).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. K. Imoto et al., ibid 335, 645 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. T. Konno et al., Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. B 244, 69 (1991)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. A. Villarroel, S. Herlitze, M. Koenen, B. Sakmann, ibid 243, 69 (1991)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. A. Villarroel and B. Sakmann, Biophys. J., in press.

    Google Scholar 

  43. J. C. Eccles, in Les Prix Nobel en 1963 (Nobel Foundation, Stockholm, 1963), pp. 261–283

    Google Scholar 

  44. H. Betz, Biochemistry 29, 3591 (1990)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. J. Bormann, O. P. Hamill, B. Sakmann, J Physiol. (London) 385, 243 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. O. P. Hamill, J. Bormann, B. Sakmann, Nature 305, 805 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. P. Ascher and L. Nowak, J. Physiol (London) 399, 227 (1988)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. S. G. Cull-Candy and M. M. Usowicz, Nature 325, 525 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. C. E. Jahr and C. F. Stevens, ibid, p. 522.

    Google Scholar 

  50. T. A. Verdoorn, A. Draguhn, S. Ymer, P. H. Seeburg, B. Sakmann, Neuron 4, 919 (1990).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. F. A. Edwards, A. Konnerth, B. Sakmann, T. Takahashi, Pfluegers Arch. 414, 600 (1989).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. B. Sakmann, F. Edwards, A. Konnerth, T. Takahashi, Q.J. Exp. Physiol.74, 1107 (1989).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. F. A. Edwards, A. Konnerth, B. Sakmann, J. Physiol (London) 430, 213 (1990); includes an appendix by C. Busch.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. C. Busch and B. Sakmann, Cold Spring Harbor Symp Quant. Biol LV, 69 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  55. P. Jonas and B. Sakmann, J. Physiol (London) 446, 515P (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  56. P. Stern, F. A. Edwards, B. Sakmann, ibid. 449, 247 (1992).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. C. Franke, H. Hatt, J. Dudel, Neurosci. Lett. 11, 199 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. D. Colquhoun, P. Jonas, B. Sakmann, J. Physiol (London), in press.

    Google Scholar 

  59. L. O. Trussell and Q. D. Fischbach, Neuron 3, 209 (1989)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. M. Hollmann, A. O’Shear-Greenfield, W. Rogers, S. Heinemann, Nature 342, 643 (1989).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. M. Hollmann, M. Hartley, S. Heinemann, Science 252, 851 (1991).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. K. Keinanen et al., ibid. 249, 556 (1990).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. B. Sommer et al., ibid, p. 1580.

    Google Scholar 

  64. T. A. Verdoorn, N. Burnashev, H. Monyer, P. H. Seeburg, B. Sakmann, ibid 252, 1715 (1991).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. R. I. Hume, R. Dingledine, S. F. Heinemann, ibid 253, 1028 (1991).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. N. Burnashev, H. Monyer, P H. Seeburg, B. Sakmann, Neuron 8, 1 (1992).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. A. Khodorova and N. Burnashev, J. Physiol (London) 446, 516 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  68. B. Sommer, M. Kohler, R. Sprengel, P. H. Seeburg, Cell 67, 11 (1991).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. N. Unwin, Neuron 3, 665 (1989).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Abbreviations for the amino acid residues are the following: A, Ala; C., Cys; D, Asp; E, Glu; F, Phe; G, Gly; H, His; I, lle; K, Lys; L, Leu; M, Met; N, Asn; P, Pro; O, Gln; R, Arg; S, Ser; T, Thr; V, Val; W, Trp; and Y, Tyr

    Google Scholar 

  71. P. W. Atkins and M. J. Clugston, Principles of Physical Chemistry (Pitman, London, 1983).

    Google Scholar 

  72. B. Sakmann, O. P. Hamill, J. Bormann, J. Neural. Transm. 18(suppl), 83 (1983).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. I am greatly indebted to my teachers in physiology, O. Creutzfeldt and B. Katz, and to the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft for providing ideal research conditions. During the last 5 years I was supported by the Leibniz Programm of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and by an award of the Fondation Louis Jeantet, Geneva.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Zellphysiologie, Max-Planck-Institut für Medizinische Forschung, Jahnstraße 29, 6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    Prof. Dr. Bert Sakmann

Authors
  1. Prof. Dr. Bert Sakmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften, Karlstraße 4, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    Gotthard Schettler (Leiter der Geomedizinischen Forschungsstelle) (Leiter der Geomedizinischen Forschungsstelle)

  2. Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, W-2000, Hamburg 20, Germany

    Heiner Greten (Direktor der Medizinischen Kernklinik und Poliklinik) (Direktor der Medizinischen Kernklinik und Poliklinik)

  3. Abt. Innere Medizin I, Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Bergheimerstraße 58, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    Andreas J. R. Habenicht

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1993 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Sakmann, B. (1993). Elementary Steps in Synaptic Transmission Revealed by Currents Through Single Ion Channels. In: Schettler, G., Greten, H., Habenicht, A.J.R. (eds) Cellular Metabolism of the Arterial Wall and Central Nervous System. Sitzungsberichte der Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften, vol 1993/94 / 1993/1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84949-7_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84949-7_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-56603-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-84949-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation