HSC 350 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Ampa Receptor, Dendritic Spine, Protecting Group
Document Summary
Are biological signalling molecule whose active functionality has been chemically masked with a photo removable protecting group. They are biologically inert precursors of active molecules which when irradiated with a pulse of ultraviolet (uv) light free the active species. Caged molecule allow specific local activation in neurons. Camkll plays an important role in induction of ltp. Using caged molecule for glutamate to activate camkii activation in a dendritic spine. Ca2+ induces ltp by activating ca2+-activated protein kinases ca2+ -calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (camk ii) signal cascade. Downstream target of camkii is the activation of ampa-r. At normal resting potential, there is no ampa receptor. Long term potential is due to the insertion of ampa receptors since they allow the inflow of current. The strengthening of synaptic transmission during ltp rises from an increase in the sensitivity of the postsynaptic cell to glutamate.
