1976/08/01 by Rodolfo Llinás, Izchak Z. Steinberg, Kerry D. Walton · 2 citations
Neuroscience · Chemistry · #Neuroscience and Neural Engineering #Photoreceptor and optogenetics research #Neural dynamics and brain function #Neurotransmission #Squid #Postsynaptic potential #Membrane potential #Depolarization #Biophysics #Voltage clamp #Calcium #Neuroscience #Conductance #Voltage-dependent calcium channel #Chemistry #Biology #Physics #Biochemistry #Receptor #Condensed matter physics
paper · doi:10.1073/pnas.73.8.2918
openalex publication_date 1976/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
A voltage clamp study of the presynaptic terminal in squid stellate ganglion has given quantitative results relating inward Ca2+ current to presynaptic membrane potential and postsynaptic response to inward Ca2+ current. The results indicate an S-shaped curve for the relationship between presynaptic potential and Ca2+ current and a linear relationship between Ca2+ current and postsynaptic potential. A similar S-shaped curve was found for the time-dependent properties of the Ca2+ conductance. Based on these results a mathematical model was developed which accounts for the experimental results in this and previously published papers by other authors. The model suggests that five subunits are involved in the Ca2+ gate and that the subunits change noncooperatively from an inactive to an active form upon membrane depolarization.