Fedulova S. Role of calcium and potassium channels in signaling function of nervous cells

The role and interaction of different types of calcium and potassium currents in complicated nerves cell functions were studied in the dissertation. Specific currents parameters, which determine integrative properties of these currents and provide signaling functions of neurons, were described. The role of calcium and potassium channels in neuronal electrical activity during ontogenetic development and their functional significance in mechanisms of neurotransmitter release regulation and generation of action potential were defined in neurons from different parts of the nervous system. It has been demonstrated, that balance between low threshold calcium and inactivating potassium conductivity determine an ability to generate repetitive action potentials. L-type high voltage-activated calcium current not participates in inhibitory synaptic transmission of hippocampal neurons, and the main role in neurotransmitter release belongs to N- and P/Q- types. The possibility of multiquantal release at a single pr esynaptic terminal of cultured hippocampal neurons has been demonstrated and it has been shown neurotransmitter release is a random process described by Poisson statistics.