Postsynaptic current bursts instruct action potential firing at a graded synapse.

ABSTRACT: Nematode neurons generally produce graded potentials instead of action potentials. It is unclear how the graded potentials control postsynaptic cells under physiological conditions. Here we show that postsynaptic currents frequently occur in bursts at the neuromuscular junction of Caenorhabditis elegans. Cholinergic bursts concur with facilitated action potential firing, elevated cytosolic [Ca(2+)] and contraction of the muscle whereas GABAergic bursts suppress action potential firing. The bursts, distinct from artificially evoked responses, are characterized by a persistent current (the primary component of burst-associated charge transfer) and increased frequency and mean amplitude of postsynaptic current events. The persistent current of cholinergic postsynaptic current bursts is mostly

SUBMITTER: Liu P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3683072 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature