Neurons in the nervous system organize into complex networks and their functions are precisely controlled. The most important means for neurons to communicate with each other is transmission through chemical synapses, where the release of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic nerve terminal of one neuron influences the function of a second neuron. Since the discovery of chemical neurotransmission by Otto Loewi in the 1920s, great progress has been made in our understanding of mol- ular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. The last decade has seen an explosion of knowledge in this field. The aim of Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release is to provide up-to-date, in-depth coverage of essentially all major mole- lar mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. The contributors have made great efforts to write concisely but with sufficient background information, and to use figures/diagrams to present clearly key concepts or experiments. It is hoped that this book may serve as a learning tool for neuroscience students, a solid reference for neuroscientists, and a source of knowledge for people who have a general interest in neuroscience. I was fortunate to be able to gather contributions from a group of outstanding scientists. I thank them for their efforts. In particular, I want to thank Dr. Erik Jorgensen who offered valuable suggestions about the book in addition to contrib- ing an excellent chapter. I thank US National Science Foundation and National Institute of Health for their supports.

Neurons communicate with each other by releasing neurotransmitters. This book provides comprehensive coverage of the molecular mechanisms involved in neurotransmitter release. The topics covered in the book range from the architecture and cytomatrix proteins of presynaptic sites, to the modes of synaptic vesicle exocytosis (full-collapse and kiss-and-run), and from the key molecules mediating synaptic vesicle fusion (SNAREs) to those that closely interact with them (UNC-13/Munc13, UNC-18/Munc18, tomosyn, and complexins). The book also delves into the calcium sensors of synaptic vesicle fusion (synaptotagmins and Doc2s), the sources of calcium that trigger synaptic exocytosis (voltage-gated calcium channels and ryanodine receptors), and the regulation of neurotransmitter release by potassium channels, cell adhesion molecules, lipids, aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP), presenilins, and calstabins. To aid in understanding and illustrate key concepts, the book includes sufficient background information and a wealth of illustrations and diagrams. The new edition includes major updates to previous chapters, as well as several new chapters that reflect the recent advances in the field. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release, 2nd edition, is a valuable learning resource for neuroscience students and a solid reference for neuroscientists.

This book provides the reader with background information on neurotransmitter release. Emphasis is placed on the rationale by which proteins are assigned specific functions rather than just providing facts about function.

Roles of synaptic vasicle proteins in exocytosis of transmitter/different cellular mechanisms of release/etc.

A comprehensive, multidisciplinary review, Neural Plasticity and Memory: From Genes to Brain Imaging provides an in-depth, up-to-date analysis of the study of the neurobiology of memory. Leading specialists share their scientific experience in the field, covering a wide range of topics where molecular, genetic, behavioral, and brain imaging techniq

Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology, Fourth Edition, is the only up-to-date textbook on the market that focuses on the molecular and cellular physiology of neurons and synapses. Hypothesis-driven rather than a dry presentation of the facts, the book promotes a real understanding of the function of nerve cells that is useful for practicing neurophysiologists and students in a graduate-level course on the topic alike. This new edition explains the molecular properties and functions of excitable cells in detail and teaches students how to construct and conduct intelligent research experiments. The content is firmly based on numerous experiments performed by top experts in the field This book will be a useful resource for neurophysiologists, neurobiologists, neurologists, and students taking graduate-level courses on neurophysiology. - 70% new or updated material in full color throughout, with more than 350 carefully selected and constructed illustrations - Fifteen appendices describing neurobiological techniques are interspersed in the text

This volume reviews recent findings on the regulation of exocytotic release of neurotransmitters from nerve terminals. Leading international investigators examine the properties and composition of the vesicles that store neurotransmitters and the molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause a vesicle to release transmitters in response to a nerve impulse. Coverage includes detailed analyses of quantal release of transmitters in the central and peripheral nervous systems. These studies shed new light on the questions of whether different transmitters are released together in fixed amounts and proportions, and whether and why effectors respond to such "transmitter quanta" in a quantal fashion. The book also highlights the relevance of research on neurotransmitter release to the study of various forms of synaptic plasticity, including higher functions such as learning and memory.