Depolarization of the Presynaptic Terminal Triggers the Opening of Calcium Channels Authored: Mahajan, SS, 2008-01-14 16:01:52 Edited: Mahajan, SS, 2008-01-14 16:01:52 GENE ONTOLOGYGO:0051899 Reactome Database ID Release 43112308 Reactome, http://www.reactome.org ReactomeREACT_13606 Reviewed: Kavalali, E, 2008-04-24 16:31:34 The action potential travels down the axon and reaches the pre-synaptic terminal depolarizing the membrane in the pre-synaptic terminal. The depolarization causes the voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to open allowing the influx of Ca2+ that signals the release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. PathwayStep3236 Ca2+ influx through voltage gated Ca2+ channels