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Free keywords:
Synaptic transmission; Synaptic ribbon; Active zone; Calcium channel; Synaptic protein synaptic vesicle; Vesicle pool dynamics; Exocytosis; Endocytosis; Synaptic heterogeneity; Sound encoding; Auditory synaptopathy
Abstract:
Sound based signal transduction happens at ribbon synapses between inner hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons in the cochlea. This chapter reviews the molecular anatomy and physiology of the presynaptic active zones of inner hair cells that are specialized to enable indefatigable glutamate release at high rates and utmost temporal precision.