A process that increases synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to change as circumstances require. They may alter function, such as increasing or decreasing their sensitivity, or they may increase or decrease in actual numbers.

The initial attachment of a vesicle membrane to a target membrane, mediated by proteins protruding from the membrane of the vesicle and the target membrane, that contributes to exocytosis.

Fusion of intracellular membrane-bounded vesicles with the pre-synaptic membrane of the neuronal cell resulting in release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft.

Fusion of intracellular membrane-bounded vesicles with the pre-synaptic membrane of the neuronal cell resulting in release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft.

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of synaptic vesicle fusion to the presynaptic membrane.

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of synaptic vesicle fusion to the presynaptic membrane.

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of exocytosis.

A process that increases synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to change as circumstances require. They may alter function, such as increasing or decreasing their sensitivity, or they may increase or decrease in actual numbers.

Fusion of intracellular membrane-bounded vesicles with the pre-synaptic membrane of the neuronal cell resulting in release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft.

The regulated release of proinsulin from secretory granules accompanied by cleavage of proinsulin to form mature insulin. In vertebrates, insulin is secreted from B granules in the B cells of the vertebrate pancreas and from insulin-producing cells in insects.

The exocytic fusion of neurotransmitter receptor containing vesicles with the postsynaptic membrane resulting in the integration of NT receptors, enabling them to participate in neurotransmitter reception. This process includes tethering and docking steps that prepare vesicles for fusion.

The exocytic fusion of neurotransmitter receptor containing vesicles with the postsynaptic membrane resulting in the integration of NT receptors, enabling them to participate in neurotransmitter reception. This process includes tethering and docking steps that prepare vesicles for fusion.

Any vesicle-mediated transport that occurs in a synapse

Any vesicle-mediated transport that occurs in a synapse

A process of secretion by a cell that results in the release of intracellular molecules (e.g. hormones, matrix proteins) contained within a membrane-bounded vesicle. Exocytosis can occur either by full fusion, when the vesicle collapses into the plasma membrane, or by a kiss-and-run mechanism that involves the formation of a transient contact, a pore, between a granule (for exemple of chromaffin cells) and the plasma membrane. The latter process most of the time leads to only partial secretion of the granule content. Exocytosis begins with steps that prepare vesicles for fusion with the membrane (tethering and docking) and ends when molecules are secreted from the cell.

The vesicular release of classical neurotransmitter molecules from a presynapse, across a chemical synapse, the subsequent activation of neurotransmitter receptors at the postsynapse of a target cell (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) and the effects of this activation on the postsynaptic membrane potential and ionic composition of the postsynaptic cytosol. This process encompasses both spontaneous and evoked release of neurotransmitter and all parts of synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Evoked transmission starts with the arrival of an action potential at the presynapse.

The regulated release of neurotransmitter from the presynapse into the synaptic cleft via calcium-regulated exocytosis during synaptic transmission.

The controlled release of glutamate by a cell. The glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.

The part of a synapse that is part of the presynaptic cell.

The part of a synapse that is part of the post-synaptic cell.

A neuron projection that has a short, tapering, morphology. Dendrites receive and integrate signals from other neurons or from sensory stimuli, and conduct nerve impulses towards the axon or the cell body. In most neurons, the impulse is conveyed from dendrites to axon via the cell body, but in some types of unipolar neuron, the impulse does not travel via the cell body.

A neuron projection that has a short, tapering, morphology. Dendrites receive and integrate signals from other neurons or from sensory stimuli, and conduct nerve impulses towards the axon or the cell body. In most neurons, the impulse is conveyed from dendrites to axon via the cell body, but in some types of unipolar neuron, the impulse does not travel via the cell body.

A protein complex involved in membrane fusion; a stable ternary complex consisting of a four-helix bundle, usually formed from one R-SNARE and three Q-SNAREs with an ionic layer sandwiched between hydrophobic layers. One well-characterized example is the neuronal SNARE complex formed of synaptobrevin 2, syntaxin 1a, and SNAP-25.

The portion of a neuron that includes the nucleus, but excludes cell projections such as axons and dendrites.

The portion of a neuron that includes the nucleus, but excludes cell projections such as axons and dendrites.

Terminal inflated portion of the axon, containing the specialized apparatus necessary to release neurotransmitters. The axon terminus is considered to be the whole region of thickening and the terminal bouton is a specialized region of it.

The terminal specialization of a calyciferous axon which forms large synapses in the mammalian auditory central nervous system.

The junction between a nerve fiber of one neuron and another neuron, muscle fiber or glial cell. As the nerve fiber approaches the synapse it enlarges into a specialized structure, the presynaptic nerve ending, which contains mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. At the tip of the nerve ending is the presynaptic membrane; facing it, and separated from it by a minute cleft (the synaptic cleft) is a specialized area of membrane on the receiving cell, known as the postsynaptic membrane. In response to the arrival of nerve impulses, the presynaptic nerve ending secretes molecules of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These diffuse across the cleft and transmit the signal to the postsynaptic membrane.

The junction between a nerve fiber of one neuron and another neuron, muscle fiber or glial cell. As the nerve fiber approaches the synapse it enlarges into a specialized structure, the presynaptic nerve ending, which contains mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. At the tip of the nerve ending is the presynaptic membrane; facing it, and separated from it by a minute cleft (the synaptic cleft) is a specialized area of membrane on the receiving cell, known as the postsynaptic membrane. In response to the arrival of nerve impulses, the presynaptic nerve ending secretes molecules of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These diffuse across the cleft and transmit the signal to the postsynaptic membrane.

The part of a synapse that is part of the presynaptic cell.

The part of a synapse that is part of the post-synaptic cell.

A synapse that uses glutamate as a neurotransmitter.

A synapse that uses glutamate as a neurotransmitter.

A SNARE complex that contains synaptobrevin 2 (VAMP2), SNAP-25, syntaxin 3, and a complexin (or orthologs thereof).

A protein complex involved in membrane fusion; a stable ternary complex consisting of a four-helix bundle, usually formed from one R-SNARE and three Q-SNAREs with an ionic layer sandwiched between hydrophobic layers. One well-characterized example is the neuronal SNARE complex formed of synaptobrevin 2, syntaxin 1a, and SNAP-25.

A SNARE complex that contains synaptobrevin 2 (VAMP2), SNAP-25, syntaxin 1a, and complexin II (or orthologs thereof).

A SNARE complex that contains synaptobrevin 2 (VAMP2), SNAP-25, syntaxin 1a, and complexin II (or orthologs thereof).

A stable assembly of two or more macromolecules, i.e. proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates or lipids, in which at least one component is a protein and the constituent parts function together.

A stable assembly of two or more macromolecules, i.e. proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates or lipids, in which at least one component is a protein and the constituent parts function together.

A SNARE complex that contains synaptobrevin 2 (VAMP2), SNAP-25, syntaxin 1a, and complexin I (or orthologs thereof).

A SNARE complex that contains synaptobrevin 2 (VAMP2), SNAP-25, syntaxin 1a, and complexin I (or orthologs thereof).

A synapse between the Schaffer collateral axon of a CA3 pyramidal cell and a CA1 pyramidal cell.

A synapse between the Schaffer collateral axon of a CA3 pyramidal cell and a CA1 pyramidal cell.

The part of the cytoplasm that does not contain organelles but which does contain other particulate matter, such as protein complexes.