Brownian diffusion of AMPA receptors is sufficient to explain fast onset of LTP.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) of synapses is thought to be due in part to a change in AMPA Receptor trafficking leading to an increase in the number of AMPA Receptors at the synapse. LTP onset occurs within seconds after the induction signal. A particle-based stochastic simulation software is used to investigate the effect of Brownian diffusion of glutamate receptors on receptor incorporation into the synaptic specialisation and the time-course of LTP expression. The model of the dendritic spine includes receptors diffusing within the membrane, scaffold molecules within the synaptic specialisation capable of binding receptors and a molecular picket-fence surrounding the synaptic membrane area, all features found within the biological system.

Results

During simulati

SUBMITTER: Tolle DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2847995 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature