Ultrastructure of synapses in the mammalian brain

The morphology and molecular composition of synapses provide the structural basis for synaptic function. This article reviews the electron microscopy of excitatory synapses on dendritic spines, using data from rodent hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and cerebellar cortex. Excitatory synapses have a pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology 2012-05, Vol.4 (5), p.a005587-a005587
Main Authors: Harris, Kristen M, Weinberg, Richard J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brain
Brain - cytology
Brain - physiology
Cell body
Cerebellum
Cortex
Data processing
Dendritic spines
Dendritic Spines - ultrastructure
Electron microscopy
Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth - ultrastructure
Hippocampus
Immunohistochemistry - methods
Mammals
Microscopy, Electron
Neuromodulation
Neuropil - ultrastructure
Neurotransmission
Neurotransmitters
Plasticity (synaptic)
postsynaptic density
scaffolds
Specialization
Synapses
Synapses - ultrastructure
Synaptic transmission
Synaptic Transmission - physiology
Ultrastructure
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Summary:The morphology and molecular composition of synapses provide the structural basis for synaptic function. This article reviews the electron microscopy of excitatory synapses on dendritic spines, using data from rodent hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and cerebellar cortex. Excitatory synapses have a prominent postsynaptic density, in contrast with inhibitory synapses, which have less dense presynaptic or postsynaptic specializations and are usually found on the cell body or proximal dendritic shaft. Immunogold labeling shows that the presynaptic active zone provides a scaffold for key molecules involved in the release of neurotransmitter, whereas the postsynaptic density contains ligand-gated ionic channels, other receptors, and a complex network of signaling molecules. Delineating the structure and molecular organization of these axospinous synapses represents a crucial step toward understanding the mechanisms that underlie synaptic transmission and the dynamic modulation of neurotransmission associated with short- and long-term synaptic plasticity.
ISSN:1943-0264
1943-0264
DOI:10.1101/cshperspect.a005587