Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1 3BG, UK.
Trends Neurosci. 2011 Jul;34(7):359-69. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2011.03.002. Epub 2011 Apr 4.
Rapid communication in the brain relies on the release and diffusion of small transmitter molecules across the synaptic cleft. How these diffuse signals are transformed into cellular responses is determined by the scatter of target postsynaptic receptors, which in turn depends on receptor movement in cell membranes. Thus, by shaping information transfer in neural circuits, mechanisms that regulate molecular mobility affect nearly every aspect of brain function and dysfunction. Here we review two facets of molecular mobility that have traditionally been considered separately, namely extracellular and intra-membrane diffusion. By focusing on the interplay between these processes we illustrate the remarkable versatility of signal formation in synapses and highlight areas of emerging understanding in the molecular physiology and biophysics of synaptic transmission.
大脑中的快速通讯依赖于小的递质分子在突触间隙的释放和扩散。这些扩散信号如何转化为细胞反应，取决于靶突触后受体的散射，而受体在细胞膜中的运动又反过来决定了受体的散射。因此，通过调节分子在神经回路中的移动性，影响大脑功能和障碍的几乎每个方面的机制。在这里，我们回顾了传统上被分开考虑的两种分子流动性的方面，即细胞外扩散和膜内扩散。通过关注这些过程之间的相互作用，我们说明了在突触中形成信号的惊人的多功能性，并强调了在突触传递的分子生理学和生物物理学方面的新的理解领域。
