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Ralowicz AJ, Hokeness S, Hoppa MB. Frequency of Spontaneous Neurotransmission at Individual Boutons Corresponds to the Size of the Readily Releasable Pool of Vesicles. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1253232024. [PMID: 38383495 PMCID: PMC11063817 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1253-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Synapses maintain two forms of neurotransmitter release to support communication in the brain. First, evoked neurotransmitter release is triggered by the invasion of an action potential (AP) across en passant boutons that form along axons. The probability of evoked release (Pr) varies substantially across boutons, even within a single axon. Such heterogeneity is the result of differences in the probability of a single synaptic vesicle (SV) fusing (Pv) and in the number of vesicles available for immediate release, known as the readily releasable pool (RRP). Spontaneous release (also known as a mini) is an important form of neurotransmission that occurs in the absence of APs. Because it cannot be triggered with electrical stimulation, much less is known about potential heterogeneity in the frequency of spontaneous release between boutons. We utilized a photostable and bright fluorescent indicator of glutamate release (iGluSnFR3) to quantify both spontaneous and evoked release at individual glutamatergic boutons. We found that the rate of spontaneous release is quite heterogenous at the level of individual boutons. Interestingly, when measuring both evoked and spontaneous release at single synapses, we found that boutons with the highest rates of spontaneous release also displayed the largest evoked responses. Using a new optical method to measure RRP at individual boutons, we found that this heterogeneity in spontaneous release was strongly correlated with the size of the RRP, but not related to Pv. We conclude that the RRP is a critical and dynamic aspect of synaptic strength that contributes to both evoked and spontaneous vesicle release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia J Ralowicz
- Department of Biology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755
| | - Sasipha Hokeness
- Department of Biology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755
| | - Michael B Hoppa
- Department of Biology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755
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2
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Das J, You Y, Mathukumalli K, Ann J, Lee J, Marquez VE. Activation of Munc13-1 by Diacylglycerol (DAG)-Lactones. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2717-2726. [PMID: 37651159 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Munc13-1 is a key protein necessary for vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release in the brain. Diacylglycerol (DAG)/phorbol ester binds to its C1 domain in the plasma membrane and activates it. The C1 domain of Munc13-1 and protein kinase C (PKC) are homologous in terms of sequence and structure. In order to identify small-molecule modulators of Munc13-1 targeting the C1 domain, we studied the effect of three DAG-lactones, (R,Z)-(2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(3-isobutyl-5-methylhexylidene)-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl pivalate (JH-131e-153), (E)-(2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(3-isobutyl-5-methylhexylidene)-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl pivalate (AJH-836), and (E)-(2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate (130C037), on Munc13-1 activation using the ligand-induced membrane translocation assay. JH-131e-153 showed higher activation than AJH-836, and 130C037 was not able to activate Munc13-1. To understand the role of the ligand-binding site residues in the activation process, three alanine mutants were generated. For AJH-836, the order of activation was wild-type (WT) Munc13-1 > R592A > W588A > I590A. For JH-131e-153, the order of activation was WT > I590 ≈ R592A ≈ W588A. Overall, the Z isomer of DAG-lactones showed higher potency than the E isomer and Trp-588, Ile-590, and Arg-592 were important for its binding. When comparing the activation of Munc13-1 and PKC, the order of activation for JH-131e-153 was PKCα > Munc13-1 > PKCε and for AJH-836, the order of activation was PKCε > PKCα > Munc13-1. Molecular docking supported higher binding of JH-131e-153 than AJH-836 with the Munc13-1 C1 domain. Our results suggest that DAG-lactones have the potential to modulate neuronal processes via Munc13-1 and can be further developed for therapeutic intervention for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joydip Das
- Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Youngki You
- Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Kavya Mathukumalli
- Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Jihyae Ann
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Building 143, Room 507, 1 Gwanak-Ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jeewoo Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Building 143, Room 507, 1 Gwanak-Ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Victor E Marquez
- Center for Cancer Research, Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI-Frederick, 376 Boyles Street, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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3
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Willemse SW, Harley P, van Eijk RPA, Demaegd KC, Zelina P, Pasterkamp RJ, van Damme P, Ingre C, van Rheenen W, Veldink JH, Kiernan MC, Al-Chalabi A, van den Berg LH, Fratta P, van Es MA. UNC13A in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from genetic association to therapeutic target. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:649-656. [PMID: 36737245 PMCID: PMC10359588 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options and an incompletely understood pathophysiology. Although genomewide association studies (GWAS) have advanced our understanding of the disease, the precise manner in which risk polymorphisms contribute to disease pathogenesis remains unclear. Of relevance, GWAS have shown that a polymorphism (rs12608932) in the UNC13A gene is associated with risk for both ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Homozygosity for the C-allele at rs12608932 modifies the ALS phenotype, as these patients are more likely to have bulbar-onset disease, cognitive impairment and FTD at baseline as well as shorter survival. UNC13A is expressed in neuronal tissue and is involved in maintaining synaptic active zones, by enabling the priming and docking of synaptic vesicles. In the absence of functional TDP-43, risk variants in UNC13A lead to the inclusion of a cryptic exon in UNC13A messenger RNA, subsequently leading to nonsense mediated decay, with loss of functional protein. Depletion of UNC13A leads to impaired neurotransmission. Recent discoveries have identified UNC13A as a potential target for therapy development in ALS, with a confirmatory trial with lithium carbonate in UNC13A cases now underway and future approaches with antisense oligonucleotides currently under consideration. Considering UNC13A is a potent phenotypic modifier, it may also impact clinical trial outcomes. This present review describes the path from the initial discovery of UNC13A as a risk gene in ALS to the current therapeutic options being explored and how knowledge of its distinct phenotype needs to be taken into account in future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean W Willemse
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Harley
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Koen C Demaegd
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pavol Zelina
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Philip van Damme
- Department of Neurology, KU Leuven Hospital, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wouter van Rheenen
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Bushell Chair of Neurology, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pietro Fratta
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Michael A van Es
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Wu S, Fan J, Tang F, Chen L, Zhang X, Xiao D, Li X. The role of RIM in neurotransmitter release: promotion of synaptic vesicle docking, priming, and fusion. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1123561. [PMID: 37179554 PMCID: PMC10169678 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1123561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
There are many special sites at the end of a synapse called active zones (AZs). Synaptic vesicles (SVs) fuse with presynaptic membranes at these sites, and this fusion is an important step in neurotransmitter release. The cytomatrix in the active zone (CAZ) is made up of proteins such as the regulating synaptic membrane exocytosis protein (RIM), RIM-binding proteins (RIM-BPs), ELKS/CAST, Bassoon/Piccolo, Liprin-α, and Munc13-1. RIM is a scaffold protein that interacts with CAZ proteins and presynaptic functional components to affect the docking, priming, and fusion of SVs. RIM is believed to play an important role in regulating the release of neurotransmitters (NTs). In addition, abnormal expression of RIM has been detected in many diseases, such as retinal diseases, Asperger's syndrome (AS), and degenerative scoliosis. Therefore, we believe that studying the molecular structure of RIM and its role in neurotransmitter release will help to clarify the molecular mechanism of neurotransmitter release and identify targets for the diagnosis and treatment of the aforementioned diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wu
- Emergency Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiali Fan
- Emergency Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Fajuan Tang
- Emergency Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Emergency Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Emergency Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Dongqiong Xiao
- Emergency Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Xihong Li
- Emergency Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
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5
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Tian Y, Ullah H, Gu J, Li K. Immune-metabolic mechanisms of post-traumatic stress disorder and atherosclerosis. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1123692. [PMID: 36846337 PMCID: PMC9944953 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1123692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and atherosclerosis (AS) increase the risk of mortality. Metabolism and immunity play important roles in the comorbidity associated with PTSD and AS. The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathways are attractive research topics in the fields of metabolism, immunity, and autophagy. They may be effective intervention targets in the prevention and treatment of PTSD comorbidity with AS. Herein, we comprehensively review metabolic factors, including glutamate and lipid alterations, in PTSD comorbidity with AS and discuss the possible implications in the pathophysiology of the diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Tian
- West China School of Nursing/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hanif Ullah
- West China School of Nursing/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Gu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ka Li
- West China School of Nursing/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Ka Li,
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Tan C, de Nola G, Qiao C, Imig C, Born RT, Brose N, Kaeser PS. Munc13 supports fusogenicity of non-docked vesicles at synapses with disrupted active zones. eLife 2022; 11:79077. [PMID: 36398873 PMCID: PMC9822248 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Active zones consist of protein scaffolds that are tightly attached to the presynaptic plasma membrane. They dock and prime synaptic vesicles, couple them to voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, and direct neurotransmitter release toward postsynaptic receptor domains. Simultaneous RIM + ELKS ablation disrupts these scaffolds, abolishes vesicle docking, and removes active zone-targeted Munc13, but some vesicles remain releasable. To assess whether this enduring vesicular fusogenicity is mediated by non-active zone-anchored Munc13 or is Munc13-independent, we ablated Munc13-1 and Munc13-2 in addition to RIM + ELKS in mouse hippocampal neurons. The hextuple knockout synapses lacked docked vesicles, but other ultrastructural features were near-normal despite the strong genetic manipulation. Removing Munc13 in addition to RIM + ELKS impaired action potential-evoked vesicle fusion more strongly than RIM + ELKS knockout by further decreasing the releasable vesicle pool. Hence, Munc13 can support some fusogenicity without RIM and ELKS, and presynaptic recruitment of Munc13, even without active zone anchoring, suffices to generate some fusion-competent vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tan
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Giovanni de Nola
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Claire Qiao
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Cordelia Imig
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Richard T Born
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Pascal S Kaeser
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
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Yeo XY, Lim YT, Chae WR, Park C, Park H, Jung S. Alterations of presynaptic proteins in autism spectrum disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1062878. [DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1062878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The expanded use of hypothesis-free gene analysis methods in autism research has significantly increased the number of genetic risk factors associated with the pathogenesis of autism. A further examination of the implicated genes directly revealed the involvement in processes pertinent to neuronal differentiation, development, and function, with a predominant contribution from the regulators of synaptic function. Despite the importance of presynaptic function in synaptic transmission, the regulation of neuronal network activity, and the final behavioral output, there is a relative lack of understanding of the presynaptic contribution to the pathology of autism. Here, we will review the close association among autism-related mutations, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) phenotypes, and the altered presynaptic protein functions through a systematic examination of the presynaptic risk genes relating to the critical stages of synaptogenesis and neurotransmission.
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8
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Zhu J, McDargh ZA, Li F, Krishnakumar SS, Rothman JE, O’Shaughnessy B. Synaptotagmin rings as high-sensitivity regulators of synaptic vesicle docking and fusion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2208337119. [PMID: 36103579 PMCID: PMC9499556 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2208337119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Synchronous release at neuronal synapses is accomplished by a machinery that senses calcium influx and fuses the synaptic vesicle and plasma membranes to release neurotransmitters. Previous studies suggested the calcium sensor synaptotagmin (Syt) is a facilitator of vesicle docking and both a facilitator and inhibitor of fusion. On phospholipid monolayers, the Syt C2AB domain spontaneously oligomerized into rings that are disassembled by Ca2+, suggesting Syt rings may clamp fusion as membrane-separating "washers" until Ca2+-mediated disassembly triggers fusion and release [J. Wang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 111, 13966-13971 (2014)].). Here, we combined mathematical modeling with experiment to measure the mechanical properties of Syt rings and to test this mechanism. Consistent with experimental results, the model quantitatively recapitulates observed Syt ring-induced dome and volcano shapes on phospholipid monolayers and predicts rings are stabilized by anionic phospholipid bilayers or bulk solution with ATP. The selected ring conformation is highly sensitive to membrane composition and bulk ATP levels, a property that may regulate vesicle docking and fusion in ATP-rich synaptic terminals. We find the Syt molecules hosted by a synaptic vesicle oligomerize into a halo, unbound from the vesicle, but in proximity to sufficiently phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-rich plasma membrane (PM) domains, the PM-bound trans Syt ring conformation is preferred. Thus, the Syt halo serves as landing gear for spatially directed docking at PIP2-rich sites that define the active zones of exocytotic release, positioning the Syt ring to clamp fusion and await calcium. Our results suggest the Syt ring is both a Ca2+-sensitive fusion clamp and a high-fidelity sensor for directed docking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Zachary A. McDargh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | | | - James E. Rothman
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Ben O’Shaughnessy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
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Lichter K, Paul MM, Pauli M, Schoch S, Kollmannsberger P, Stigloher C, Heckmann M, Sirén AL. Ultrastructural analysis of wild-type and RIM1α knockout active zones in a large cortical synapse. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111382. [PMID: 36130490 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rab3A-interacting molecule (RIM) is crucial for fast Ca2+-triggered synaptic vesicle (SV) release in presynaptic active zones (AZs). We investigated hippocampal giant mossy fiber bouton (MFB) AZ architecture in 3D using electron tomography of rapid cryo-immobilized acute brain slices in RIM1α-/- and wild-type mice. In RIM1α-/-, AZs are larger with increased synaptic cleft widths and a 3-fold reduced number of tightly docked SVs (0-2 nm). The distance of tightly docked SVs to the AZ center is increased from 110 to 195 nm, and the width of their electron-dense material between outer SV membrane and AZ membrane is reduced. Furthermore, the SV pool in RIM1α-/- is more heterogeneous. Thus, RIM1α, besides its role in tight SV docking, is crucial for synaptic architecture and vesicle pool organization in MFBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Lichter
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; Institute for Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mila Marie Paul
- Institute for Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Pauli
- Institute for Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Schoch
- Department of Neuropathology and Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Philip Kollmannsberger
- Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Stigloher
- Imaging Core Facility, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Manfred Heckmann
- Institute for Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Anna-Leena Sirén
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; Institute for Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
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10
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Bellucci A, Longhena F, Spillantini MG. The Role of Rab Proteins in Parkinson's Disease Synaptopathy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081941. [PMID: 36009486 PMCID: PMC9406004 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD), the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, the brain is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal system, leading to dyshomeostasis of the basal ganglia network activity that is linked to motility dysfunction. PD mostly arises as an age-associated sporadic disease, but several genetic forms also exist. Compelling evidence supports that synaptic damage and dysfunction characterize the very early phases of either sporadic or genetic forms of PD and that this early PD synaptopathy drives retrograde terminal-to-cell body degeneration, culminating in neuronal loss. The Ras-associated binding protein (Rab) family of small GTPases, which is involved in the maintenance of neuronal vesicular trafficking, synaptic architecture and function in the central nervous system, has recently emerged among the major players in PD synaptopathy. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of the main findings supporting the involvement of Rabs in either sporadic or genetic PD pathophysiology, and we highlight how Rab alterations participate in the onset of early synaptic damage and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Bellucci
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0303-717-380
| | - Francesca Longhena
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Clifford Albutt Building, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Maria Grazia Spillantini
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Clifford Albutt Building, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
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11
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Mechanisms of Synaptic Vesicle Exo- and Endocytosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071593. [PMID: 35884898 PMCID: PMC9313035 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Within 1 millisecond of action potential arrival at presynaptic terminals voltage-gated Ca2+ channels open. The Ca2+ channels are linked to synaptic vesicles which are tethered by active zone proteins. Ca2+ entrance into the active zone triggers: (1) the fusion of the vesicle and exocytosis, (2) the replenishment of the active zone with vesicles for incoming exocytosis, and (3) various types of endocytosis for vesicle reuse, dependent on the pattern of firing. These time-dependent vesicle dynamics are controlled by presynaptic Ca2+ sensor proteins, regulating active zone scaffold proteins, fusion machinery proteins, motor proteins, endocytic proteins, several enzymes, and even Ca2+ channels, following the decay of Ca2+ concentration after the action potential. Here, I summarize the Ca2+-dependent protein controls of synchronous and asynchronous vesicle release, rapid replenishment of the active zone, endocytosis, and short-term plasticity within 100 msec after the action potential. Furthermore, I discuss the contribution of active zone proteins to presynaptic plasticity and to homeostatic readjustment during and after intense activity, in addition to activity-dependent endocytosis.
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12
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Tan C, Wang SSH, de Nola G, Kaeser PS. Rebuilding essential active zone functions within a synapse. Neuron 2022; 110:1498-1515.e8. [PMID: 35176221 PMCID: PMC9081183 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Presynaptic active zones are molecular machines that control neurotransmitter secretion. They form sites for vesicle docking and priming and couple vesicles to Ca2+ entry for release triggering. The complexity of active zone machinery has made it challenging to determine its mechanisms in release. Simultaneous knockout of the active zone proteins RIM and ELKS disrupts active zone assembly, abolishes vesicle docking, and impairs release. We here rebuild docking, priming, and Ca2+ secretion coupling in these mutants without reinstating active zone networks. Re-expression of RIM zinc fingers recruited Munc13 to undocked vesicles and rendered the vesicles release competent. Action potential triggering of release was reconstituted by docking these primed vesicles to Ca2+ channels through attaching RIM zinc fingers to CaVβ4-subunits. Our work identifies an 80-kDa β4-Zn protein that bypasses the need for megadalton-sized secretory machines, establishes that fusion competence and docking are mechanistically separable, and defines RIM zinc finger-Munc13 complexes as hubs for active zone function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tan
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shan Shan H Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Giovanni de Nola
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pascal S Kaeser
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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13
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Deng K, Thorn P. Presynaptic-like mechanisms and the control of insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. Cell Calcium 2022; 104:102585. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2022.102585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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14
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Szule JA. Hypothesis Relating the Structure, Biochemistry and Function of Active Zone Material Macromolecules at a Neuromuscular Junction. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 13:798225. [PMID: 35069169 PMCID: PMC8766674 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.798225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This report integrates knowledge of in situ macromolecular structures and synaptic protein biochemistry to propose a unified hypothesis for the regulation of certain vesicle trafficking events (i.e., docking, priming, Ca2+-triggering, and membrane fusion) that lead to neurotransmitter secretion from specialized “active zones” of presynaptic axon terminals. Advancements in electron tomography, to image tissue sections in 3D at nanometer scale resolution, have led to structural characterizations of a network of different classes of macromolecules at the active zone, called “Active Zone Material’. At frog neuromuscular junctions, the classes of Active Zone Material macromolecules “top-masts”, “booms”, “spars”, “ribs” and “pins” direct synaptic vesicle docking while “pins”, “ribs” and “pegs” regulate priming to influence Ca2+-triggering and membrane fusion. Other classes, “beams”, “steps”, “masts”, and “synaptic vesicle luminal filaments’ likely help organize and maintain the structural integrity of active zones. Extensive studies on the biochemistry that regulates secretion have led to comprehensive characterizations of the many conserved proteins universally involved in these trafficking events. Here, a hypothesis including a partial proteomic atlas of Active Zone Material is presented which considers the common roles, binding partners, physical features/structure, and relative positioning in the axon terminal of both the proteins and classes of macromolecules involved in the vesicle trafficking events. The hypothesis designates voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and Ca2+-gated K+ channels to ribs and pegs that are connected to macromolecules that span the presynaptic membrane at the active zone. SNARE proteins (Syntaxin, SNAP25, and Synaptobrevin), SNARE-interacting proteins Synaptotagmin, Munc13, Munc18, Complexin, and NSF are designated to ribs and/or pins. Rab3A and Rabphillin-3A are designated to top-masts and/or booms and/or spars. RIM, Bassoon, and Piccolo are designated to beams, steps, masts, ribs, spars, booms, and top-masts. Spectrin is designated to beams. Lastly, the luminal portions of SV2 are thought to form the bulk of the observed synaptic vesicle luminal filaments. The goal here is to help direct future studies that aim to bridge Active Zone Material structure, biochemistry, and function to ultimately determine how it regulates the trafficking events in vivo that lead to neurotransmitter secretion.
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15
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Lamb R, Dhar B, Cherra SJ. PXF-1 promotes synapse development at the neuromuscular junction in Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:945680. [PMID: 36311020 PMCID: PMC9606220 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.945680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) are a family of proteins that modulate small G protein signaling. Mutations in a subfamily of GEFs that act on Rap, known as RapGEFs, have been associated with neurological disorders, and knockout mice display impairments in neuronal activity. However, the precise functions of RapGEFs in the nervous system remain unclear. Here, we have used the Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junction, to investigate how the RapGEF homolog, PXF-1, regulates synaptic function. We found that loss of function mutations in pxf-1 reduced cholinergic activity at the neuromuscular junction. We observed that PXF-1 is expressed in the nervous system, and its expression in neurons is sufficient to promote synaptic activity. In pxf-1 mutant animals, there is a reduction in the levels of synaptic vesicles in cholinergic motor neurons but no change in the overall synapse numbers. In addition to synaptic vesicles proteins, we also found that filamentous actin, a scaffold for nascent synapses, was reduced at developing cholinergic synapses in pxf-1 mutant animals. Our studies indicate that PXF-1 regulates neuromuscular function by promoting the formation of actin filaments to support the development of motor neuron synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reagan Lamb
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Bithika Dhar
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Salvatore J Cherra
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
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16
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You Y, Das J. Molecular dynamics simulation studies on binding of activator and inhibitor to Munc13-1 C1 in the presence of membrane. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:14160-14175. [PMID: 34779746 PMCID: PMC9482821 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.2001375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Munc13-1 is a presynaptic active zone protein that plays a critical role in priming the synaptic vesicle and releasing neurotransmitters in the brain. Munc13-1 acts as a scaffold and is activated when diacylglycerol (DAG)/phorbol ester binds to its C1 domain in the plasma membrane. Our previous studies showed that bryostatin 1 activated the Munc13-1, but resveratrol inhibited the phorbol ester-induced Munc13-1 activity. To gain structural insights into the binding of the ligand into Munc13-1 C1 in the membrane, we conducted 1.0 μs molecular dynamics (MD) simulation on Munc13-1 C1-ligand-lipid ternary system using phorbol 13-acetate, bryostatin 1 and resveratrol as ligands. Munc13-1 C1 shows higher conformational stability and less mobility along membrane with phorbol 13-acetate and bryostatin 1 than with resveratrol. Bryostatin 1 and phorbol ester remained in the protein active site, but resveratrol moved out of Munc13-1 C1 during the MD simulation. While bryostatin 1-bound Munc13-1 C1 showed two different positioning in the membrane, phorbol 13-acetate and resveratrol-bound Munc13-1 C1 only showed one positioning. Phorbol 13-acetate formed hydrogen bond with Ala-574 and Gly-589. Bryostatin 1 had more hydrogen bonds with Trp-588 and Arg-592 than with other residues. Resveratrol formed hydrogen bond with Ile-590. This study suggests that different ligands control Munc13-1 C1's mobility and positioning in the membrane differently. Ligand also has a critical role in the interaction between Munc13-1 C1 and lipid membrane. Our results provide structural basis of the pharmacological activity of the ligands and highlight the importance of membrane in Munc13-1 activity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joydip Das
- To whom to address correspondence at: Joydip Das, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health 2, 4849 Calhoun Road, Room 3044, Houston TX 77204-5037. ; Tel: 713-743-1708; FAX 713-743-1229
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17
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Mochida S. Stable and Flexible Synaptic Transmission Controlled by the Active Zone Protein Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111775. [PMID: 34769208 PMCID: PMC8583982 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
An action potential triggers neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles docking to a specialized release site of the presynaptic plasma membrane, the active zone. The active zone is a highly organized structure with proteins that serves as a platform for synaptic vesicle exocytosis, mediated by SNAREs complex and Ca2+ sensor proteins, within a sub-millisecond opening of nearby Ca2+ channels with the membrane depolarization. In response to incoming neuronal signals, each active zone protein plays a role in the release-ready site replenishment with synaptic vesicles for sustainable synaptic transmission. The active zone release apparatus provides a possible link between neuronal activity and plasticity. This review summarizes the mostly physiological role of active zone protein interactions that control synaptic strength, presynaptic short-term plasticity, and homeostatic synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumiko Mochida
- Department of Physiology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
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18
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Vardar G, Salazar-Lázaro A, Brockmann M, Weber-Boyvat M, Zobel S, Kumbol VWA, Trimbuch T, Rosenmund C. Reexamination of N-terminal domains of syntaxin-1 in vesicle fusion from central murine synapses. eLife 2021; 10:69498. [PMID: 34427183 PMCID: PMC8416022 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Syntaxin-1 (STX1) and Munc18-1 are two requisite components of synaptic vesicular release machinery, so much so synaptic transmission cannot proceed in their absence. They form a tight complex through two major binding modes: through STX1’s N-peptide and through STX1’s closed conformation driven by its Habc- domain. However, physiological roles of these two reportedly different binding modes in synapses are still controversial. Here we characterized the roles of STX1’s N-peptide, Habc-domain, and open conformation with and without N-peptide deletion using our STX1-null mouse model system and exogenous reintroduction of STX1A mutants. We show, on the contrary to the general view, that the Habc-domain is absolutely required and N-peptide is dispensable for synaptic transmission. However, STX1A’s N-peptide plays a regulatory role, particularly in the Ca2+-sensitivity and the short-term plasticity of vesicular release, whereas STX1’s open conformation governs the vesicle fusogenicity. Strikingly, we also show neurotransmitter release still proceeds when the two interaction modes between STX1A and Munc18-1 are presumably intervened, necessitating a refinement of the conceptualization of STX1A–Munc18-1 interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülçin Vardar
- Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Salazar-Lázaro
- Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marisa Brockmann
- Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marion Weber-Boyvat
- Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sina Zobel
- Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Thorsten Trimbuch
- Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Rosenmund
- Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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19
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Hintze A, Gültas M, Semmelhack EA, Wichmann C. Ultrastructural maturation of the endbulb of Held active zones comparing wild-type and otoferlin-deficient mice. iScience 2021; 24:102282. [PMID: 33851098 PMCID: PMC8022229 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endbulbs of Held are located in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus and present the first central synapses of the auditory pathway. During development, endbulbs mature functionally to enable rapid and powerful synaptic transmission with high temporal precision. This process is accompanied by morphological changes of endbulb terminals. Loss of the hair cell-specific protein otoferlin (Otof) abolishes neurotransmission in the cochlea and results in the smaller endbulb of Held terminals. Thus, peripheral hearing impairment likely also leads to alterations in the morphological synaptic vesicle (SV) pool size at individual endbulb of Held active zones (AZs). Here, we investigated endbulb AZs in pre-hearing, young, and adult wild-type and Otof−/− mice. During maturation, SV numbers at endbulb AZs increased in wild-type mice but were found to be reduced in Otof−/− mice. The SV population at a distance of 0–15 nm was most strongly affected. Finally, overall SV diameters decreased in Otof−/− animals during maturation. Maturation of wt endbulb of Held active zones leads to more synaptic vesicles At endbulbs of otoferlin knockout mice, synaptic vesicles decline with age Mainly two distinct synaptic vesicle populations are affected Synaptic vesicles sizes are reduced in six-month-old otoferlin knockout animals
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Hintze
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, InnerEarLab and Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Collaborative Research Center 1286, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics and Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mehmet Gültas
- Breeding Informatics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Esther A Semmelhack
- Developmental, Neural, and Behavioral Biology MSc/PhD Program, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carolin Wichmann
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, InnerEarLab and Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Collaborative Research Center 1286, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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20
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Mochida S. Neurotransmitter Release Site Replenishment and Presynaptic Plasticity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010327. [PMID: 33396919 PMCID: PMC7794938 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An action potential (AP) triggers neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles (SVs) docking to a specialized release site of presynaptic plasma membrane, the active zone (AZ). The AP simultaneously controls the release site replenishment with SV for sustainable synaptic transmission in response to incoming neuronal signals. Although many studies have suggested that the replenishment time is relatively slow, recent studies exploring high speed resolution have revealed SV dynamics with milliseconds timescale after an AP. Accurate regulation is conferred by proteins sensing Ca2+ entering through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels opened by an AP. This review summarizes how millisecond Ca2+ dynamics activate multiple protein cascades for control of the release site replenishment with release-ready SVs that underlie presynaptic short-term plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumiko Mochida
- Department of Physiology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
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