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Complexity of calcium signaling in synaptic spines.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Franks, KM; Sejnowski, TJ
Published in: Bioessays
December 2002

Long-term potentiation and long-term depression are thought to be cellular mechanisms contributing to learning and memory. Although the physiological phenomena have been well characterized, little consensus of their underlying molecular mechanisms has emerged. One reason for this may be the under-appreciated complexity of the signaling pathways that can arise if key signaling molecules are discretely localized within the synapse. Recent findings suggest an unanticipated degree of structural organization at the synapse, and improved methods in cellular imaging of living tissue have provided much-needed information about the intracellular dynamics of Ca(2+), thought to be critical for both LTP and LTD. In this review, we briefly summarize some of these developments, and show that a more complete understanding of cellular signaling depends on the successful integration of traditional biochemistry and molecular biology with the spatial and temporal details of synaptic ultrastructure. Biophysically realistic computer simulations can have an important role in bridging these disciplines.

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Published In

Bioessays

DOI

ISSN

0265-9247

Publication Date

December 2002

Volume

24

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1130 / 1144

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • Synapses
  • Signal Transduction
  • Neurons
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Models, Biological
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Memory
  • Learning
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Franks, K. M., & Sejnowski, T. J. (2002). Complexity of calcium signaling in synaptic spines. Bioessays, 24(12), 1130–1144. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.10193
Franks, Kevin M., and Terrence J. Sejnowski. “Complexity of calcium signaling in synaptic spines.Bioessays 24, no. 12 (December 2002): 1130–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.10193.
Franks KM, Sejnowski TJ. Complexity of calcium signaling in synaptic spines. Bioessays. 2002 Dec;24(12):1130–44.
Franks, Kevin M., and Terrence J. Sejnowski. “Complexity of calcium signaling in synaptic spines.Bioessays, vol. 24, no. 12, Dec. 2002, pp. 1130–44. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/bies.10193.
Franks KM, Sejnowski TJ. Complexity of calcium signaling in synaptic spines. Bioessays. 2002 Dec;24(12):1130–1144.
Journal cover image

Published In

Bioessays

DOI

ISSN

0265-9247

Publication Date

December 2002

Volume

24

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1130 / 1144

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • Synapses
  • Signal Transduction
  • Neurons
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Models, Biological
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Memory
  • Learning
  • Humans