To explore how ambient glutamate contributes to the generation of ultra-slow signaling through AMPARs at the cerebellar unipolar brush cell synapse, we created this 13-state kinetic model in NEURON. A tool was also created to produce trains of glutamate concentration transients using 2D or 3D diffusion equations, a sum of up to 3 exponentials, or an alpha function that can be applied to the AMPA receptor model. After compiling the model using mkrndll, run 'mosinit_fast-flow.hoc' to simulate fast application of glutamate to the AMPA receptor model. 'mosinit_GluTransTrainTool_demo.hoc' opens a session where trains of synaptic glutamate transients can be created using various equations. The top panel shows the glutamate concentration transients (in mM) and the bottom panel shows the AMPA receptor mediated currents (in nA).
Model Type: Synapse; Channel/Receptor
Receptors: AMPA
Transmitters: Glutamate
Simulation Environment: NEURON
References:
Balmer TS, Borges-Merjane C, Trussell LO. (). Incomplete removal of extracellular glutamate controls synaptic transmission and integration at a cerebellar synapse eLife.