>>Just as an aside here, are voltage channels (in mammals at least) ever
>>involved in conveyance of impulses from one neuron to another, or are
>>they involved only in propagation of action potential (and dendritic
>>potential?)
> Voltage-gated channels propogate the action potential
[snip]
> - they can not directly participate in synaptic transmission
[snip, snip]
I would like to point out that voltage gated Ca2+ channels in the presynaptic
membrane, that open in response to depolarization (eg action potential), allow
Ca2+ to flow into the presynaptic terminal. This influx of Ca2+ is the main
and essential trigger for vesicle fusion and, hence, neurotransmitter release.
Therefore, IMHO, voltage gated channels are *centrally* involved in the
"conveyance of impulses from one neuron to another"!
Just my too sense d:^)
David B. Wheeler
MD/PhD year 3/8+
Stanford Med
