INTERMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS IN NEURONAL FUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

Neuronal synaptic contacts are among the basic elements that determine the plasticity of the nervous system. Changes in the efficiency of synaptic transmission mediate sensation, conduction of excitation, learning, and memory. Dendritic spines are the postsynaptic part of excitatory synapses in higher divisions of mammalian brains. Protein–protein networks of spine microdomains form the functional system of neuronal synapses. Reconstruction of the conceptual model of molecular interactions has been performed. The model represents activity-dependent changes of the synaptic transmission efficiency, integration of excitation in the local dendritic network of a neuron, and prolonged maintenance of the new level of neurotransmission.

Keywords

• synaptic plasticity
• long-term potentiation
• glutamate receptors