Abstract
Fast synaptic currents mediate rapid transmission between neurons in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. These currents are generated by the activation of ligand-gated ion channels. Two classes of channels that have been characterized extensively are the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction (nmj) and ionotropic glutamate recep tors at central synapses. This review concentrates on the former, and a com panion review by B Edmonds et aI, this volume, discusses glutamate receptors (see also 102). The aims are to (a) summarize recent work concerning the structure of these classes of receptors, (b) address current understanding of the mechanisms underlying activation of these receptors, and (c) discuss present views of the role of channel gating in determining the time course of synaptic currents. It would be appropriate also to address the relationship between structure and function, but, apart from work on ion permeation, there is little knowledge in this area.
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