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Presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels in the auditory brainstem
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels in the auditory brainstem

Samuel M Young and Priyadharishini Veeraraghavan
Molecular and cellular neurosciences, Vol.112, pp.103609-103609
04/2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2021.103609
PMID: 33662542
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcn.2021.103609View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Sound information encoding within the initial synapses in the auditory brainstem requires reliable and precise synaptic transmission in response to rapid and large fluctuations in action potential (AP) firing rates. The magnitude and location of Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (CaV) in the presynaptic terminal are key determinants in triggering AP-mediated release. In the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), the CaV2.1 subtype is the critical subtype for CNS function, since it is the most efficient CaV2 subtype in triggering AP-mediated synaptic vesicle (SV) release. Auditory brainstem synapses utilize CaV2.1 to sustain fast and repetitive SV release to encode sound information. Therefore, understanding the presynaptic mechanisms that control CaV2.1 localization, organization and biophysical properties are integral to understanding auditory processing. Here, we review our current knowledge about the control of presynaptic CaV2 abundance and organization in the auditory brainstem and impact on the regulation of auditory processing. •Key to hearing is the ability to interpret sound information over a wide range of time scales down to submilliseconds•The magnitude and location of Ca2+ in presynaptic terminals controls information flow between neurons•Auditory brainstem synapses use CaV2.1 to sustain fast and repetitive synaptic vesicle release to encode sound information•Presynaptic mechanisms that control CaV2.1 localization and organization are integral to understanding auditory processing
Voltage-gated calcium channels Hearing Auditory information processing Synaptic transmission Presynaptic mechanisms Auditory brainstem

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