Speaker: Yulia Timofeeva (University of Warwick)

Title: Presynaptic calcium dynamics and vesicular release

Abstract: Increases in concentration of free Ca2+ ions in presynaptic boutons of hippocampal cells trigger vesicular release of neurotransmitters. Changes in Ca2+ concentration are primarily due to Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) located at the plasma membrane and activated during an action potential or spontaneously. In this talk I will cover recent work on the role of VGCCs in spontaneous miniature neurotransmitter release and on a novel mechanism for short-term facilitation of synaptic transmission by the endogenous buffer calmodulin.