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Calmodulin Modulation of the Calcium Signal in Synaptic Transmission

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Neurotransmitter Interaction and Compartmentation

Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series ((NSSA,volume 48))

Abstract

Ca2+ plays a major role in the function of nervous tissue1,2. One of the most widely recognized roles of Ca2+ in synaptic function is its action in neurotransmission. Early studies showed that the release of neurotransmitter substances by vertebrate neuromuscular junctions was dependent upon the Ca2+ ion concentration in the media1-3. Elegant studies at the synaptic level most convincingly demonstrated that the effects of Ca2+ on neurotransmission were not secondary to effects of Ca2+ on the presynaptic action potential, but were directly dependent upon the entry of Ca2+ into the nerve terminal4-7. The role of Ca2+ in stimulus-secretion coupling has also been demonstrated in a variety of secretory processes in several tissues8. Thus, the role of Ca2+ in synaptic function is well established. One of the major questions in neuroscience research at the present time is what is the molecular mechanism mediating the effects of Ca2+ on synaptic activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Yale Medical School, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA

    Robert John DeLorenzo

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  1. Robert John DeLorenzo
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, UK

    H. F. Bradford

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© 1982 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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DeLorenzo, R.J. (1982). Calmodulin Modulation of the Calcium Signal in Synaptic Transmission. In: Bradford, H.F. (eds) Neurotransmitter Interaction and Compartmentation. NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series, vol 48. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1140-9_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1140-9_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-1142-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-1140-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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