Signaling in small subcellular volumes. II. Stochastic and diffusion effects on synaptic network properties.

ABSTRACT: The synaptic signaling network is capable of sophisticated cellular computations. These include the ability to respond selectively to different patterns of input, and to sustain changes in response over long periods. The small volume of the synapse complicates the analysis of signaling because the chemical environment is strongly affected by diffusion and stochasticity. This study is based on an updated version of a previously proposed synaptic signaling circuit (Bhalla and Iyengar, 1999) and analyzes three network computation properties in small volumes: bistability, thresholding, and pattern selectivity. Simulations show that although there are diffusive regimes in which bistability may persist, chemical noise at small volumes overwhelms bistability. In the deterministic situation, the n

SUBMITTER: Bhalla US 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1304484 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature