What type of synaptic potentials are associated with G-protein-linked receptors?

G-protein-linked receptors, also known as metabotropic receptors, are primarily associated with slow synaptic potentials and long-term effects. When a neurotransmitter binds to these receptors, it activates G-proteins that can trigger a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways. This leads to changes in the activity of various ions and other cellular processes, which occur over a longer time scale compared to the direct effects seen with ionotropic (fast) receptors.

The influence of G-protein-linked receptors can lead to prolonged changes in cell behavior and can even result in modifications that persist across multiple cell cycles, contributing to long-term synaptic plasticity, which is fundamental for learning and memory. This contrasts sharply with the rapid responses induced by ionotropic receptors that mediate fast synaptic transmission, which operate through direct opening or closing of ion channels. Thus, the characteristics of G-protein-linked receptors are distinctly tied to their role in mediating slower and more sustained synaptic changes.