The timing of channel opening during miniature end-plate currents

Brain Res. 1981 Oct 26;223(1):185-9. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(81)90821-0.

Abstract

Many chemical transmitters act by opening channels with exponentially distributed life-times. We present a way to analyze a synaptic current in terms of its component channels. We can estimate the numbers and times of channel opening within the synaptic current. This approach is used to study miniature end-plate currents (m.e.p.c.s) at the frog neuromuscular junction. The results support the idea that some transmitter rebinds after dissociation from post-synaptic receptors, and suggest that the time of channel closing is related to the time at which acetylcholine leaves the receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Kinetics
  • Mathematics
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Motor Endplate / physiology*
  • Neuromuscular Junction / physiology*
  • Rana pipiens
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / physiology

Substances

  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • Acetylcholine