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Pathway Description
Long-term potentiation
Homo sapiens
Physiological Pathway
Created: 2025-08-14
Last Updated: 2025-11-09
The long-term potentiation (LTP) pathway represents a key molecular mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory formation in the human brain. LTP begins with the release of L-glutamic acid (glutamate) from the presynaptic neuron into the synaptic cleft, where it binds to and activates both the AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. Activation of AMPA receptors allows the influx of sodium ions (Na⁺) into the neuron, depolarizing the postsynaptic membrane. This depolarization removes the magnesium (Mg²⁺) block from NMDA receptors, enabling their activation by glutamate and allowing calcium ions (Ca²⁺) to flow into the postsynaptic cytosol. The rise in intracellular calcium acts as a crucial second messenger, triggering downstream signaling cascades, including the ERK/MAPK pathway. Activated ERK phosphorylates CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein), which then translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In the nucleus, phosphorylated CREB promotes transcription of genes necessary for synaptic growth and stabilization, reinforcing synaptic strength over time. Overall, the LTP pathway integrates glutamate receptor activation, ion transport, and calcium-dependent signaling to induce lasting changes in synaptic efficiency. This process underlies the cellular basis for long-term memory storage and neuronal adaptability in the human brain.
References
Long-term potentiation References
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