Giant glial cell: new insight through mechanism-based modeling

TY - JOUR

T1 - Giant glial cell: new insight through mechanism-based modeling

AU - Postnov, D E

AU - Ryazanova, L S

AU - Brazhe, Nadezda

AU - Brazhe, Alexey

AU - Maximov, G V

AU - Mosekilde, Erik

AU - Sosnovtseva, Olga

PY - 2008/8/1

Y1 - 2008/8/1

N2 - The paper describes a detailed mechanism-based model of a tripartite synapse consisting of P- and R-neurons together with a giant glial cell in the ganglia of the medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis), which is a useful object for experimental studies in situ. We describe the two main pathways of the glial cell activation: (1) via IP(3) production and Ca(2 +) release from the endoplasmic reticulum and (2) via increase of the extracellular potassium concentration, glia depolarization, and opening of voltage-dependent Ca(2 +) channels. We suggest that the second pathway is the more significant for establishing the positive feedback in glutamate release that is critical for the self-sustained activity of the postsynaptic neuron. This mechanism differs from the mechanisms of the astrocyte-neuron signaling previously reported.

AB - The paper describes a detailed mechanism-based model of a tripartite synapse consisting of P- and R-neurons together with a giant glial cell in the ganglia of the medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis), which is a useful object for experimental studies in situ. We describe the two main pathways of the glial cell activation: (1) via IP(3) production and Ca(2 +) release from the endoplasmic reticulum and (2) via increase of the extracellular potassium concentration, glia depolarization, and opening of voltage-dependent Ca(2 +) channels. We suggest that the second pathway is the more significant for establishing the positive feedback in glutamate release that is critical for the self-sustained activity of the postsynaptic neuron. This mechanism differs from the mechanisms of the astrocyte-neuron signaling previously reported.

U2 - 10.1007/s10867-008-9070-7

DO - 10.1007/s10867-008-9070-7

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19669488

SN - 0092-0606

VL - 34

SP - 441

EP - 457

JO - Journal of Biological Physics

JF - Journal of Biological Physics

IS - 3-4

ER -