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Major progresses in the study of the cellular and molecular basis
of synaptic transmission of nerve cells are highlighted. Each
individual contribution gives an overview of the subject,
presenting a description of the technical approach and considering
future perspectives of the developments in the field. Topics range
from historical aspects of the development of biochemical studies
on synaptic transmission to the most advanced techniques applicable
in morphological and functional studies of the nerve terminal.
Studies on synaptic vesicles, the regulation of presynaptic
transmitter synthesis, transmitter-release and especially the
molecular structure and function of presynaptic ion channels and of
transmitter receptors offer a detailed insight into synaptic
events.
Cells do not normally live as single entities but are grouped
together in specific functional and structural configurations in
various tissues. Intra cellular mechanisms maintain cellular
viability and provide the means necessary for their specific
cellular functions. The interaction between cells is maintained by
mechanisms involving extracellular signalling. Such extracellular
mechanisms may include special properties of the cell surface which
involve immediate cell contact, but may also represent mechanisms
which act at a distance and are mediated via special secretions
and/or re ceptors. Recent studies on cell-cell contact have tended
to stress cell sur face components directly mediating cellular
interactions; the extracellular medium as a metabolically active
compartment has been rather neglected. However, it represents a
vital medium through which cells communicate, being important in,
for example, chemotaxis in primitive organisms, and in devel ment
and in the coordination of multiple functions in multi cellular 0
ganisms. It is not surprising, therefore, that a number of mole
cular me anisms have developed together with increasing biological
complexi during evolution. Two aspects of the extracellular space
have received increasing attention in the last few years. First,
several macro molecules such as collagen, laminin and fibronectin
have been identified as components of an extracellular matrix
giving a structural dimension to the extracellular compartment."
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