Summary: Neuron
Review
Calcium Channel Regulation
and Presynaptic Plasticity
William A. Catterall1,* and Alexandra P. Few1
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7280, USA
*Correspondence: wcatt@u.washington.edu
DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.09.005
Voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+
) channels initiate release of neurotransmitters at synapses, and regulation of
presynaptic Ca2+
channels has a powerful influence on synaptic strength. Presynaptic Ca2+
channels form
a large signaling complex, which targets synaptic vesicles to Ca2+
channels for efficient release and mediates
Ca2+
channel regulation. Presynaptic plasticity regulates synaptic function on the timescale of milliseconds
to minutes in response to neurotransmitters and the frequency of action potentials. This article reviews the
regulation of presynaptic Ca2+
channels by effectors and regulators of Ca2+

Source: Alford, Simon - Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago

Collections: Biology and Medicine