Molecular variability elicits a tunable switch with discrete neuromodulatory response phenotypes.

ABSTRACT: Recent single cell studies show extensive molecular variability underlying cellular responses. We evaluated the impact of molecular variability in the expression of cell signaling components and ion channels on electrophysiological excitability and neuromodulation. We employed a computational approach that integrated neuropeptide receptor-mediated signaling with electrophysiology. We simulated a population of neurons in which expression levels of a neuropeptide receptor and multiple ion channels were simultaneously varied within a physiological range. We analyzed the effects of variation on the electrophysiological response to a neuropeptide stimulus. Our results revealed distinct response patterns associated with low versus high receptor levels. Neurons with low receptor levels showed inc

SUBMITTER: Anderson WD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4867553 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature