scholarly journals A new life for an old pump: V-ATPase and neurotransmitter release

2014 ◽  
Vol 205 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Vavassori ◽  
Andreas Mayer

Neurons fire by releasing neurotransmitters via fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane. Fusion can be evoked by an incoming signal from a preceding neuron or can occur spontaneously. Synaptic vesicle fusion requires the formation of trans complexes between SNAREs as well as Ca2+ ions. Wang et al. (2014. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/jcb.201312109) now find that the Ca2+-binding protein Calmodulin promotes spontaneous release and SNARE complex formation via its interaction with the V0 sector of the V-ATPase.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina P. Stepien ◽  
Eric A. Prinslow ◽  
Josep Rizo

Abstract Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 orchestrate assembly of the SNARE complex formed by syntaxin-1, SNAP-25 and synaptobrevin, allowing exquisite regulation of neurotransmitter release. Non-regulated neurotransmitter release might be prevented by αSNAP, which inhibits exocytosis and SNARE-dependent liposome fusion. However, distinct mechanisms of inhibition by αSNAP were suggested, and it is unknown how such inhibition is overcome. Using liposome fusion assays, FRET and NMR spectroscopy, here we provide a comprehensive view of the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory functions of αSNAP, showing that αSNAP potently inhibits liposome fusion by: binding to syntaxin-1, hindering Munc18-1 binding; binding to syntaxin-1-SNAP-25 heterodimers, precluding SNARE complex formation; and binding to trans-SNARE complexes, preventing fusion. Importantly, inhibition by αSNAP is avoided only when Munc18-1 binds first to syntaxin-1, leading to Munc18-1-Munc13-1-dependent liposome fusion. We propose that at least some of the inhibitory activities of αSNAP ensure that neurotransmitter release occurs through the highly-regulated Munc18-1-Munc13-1 pathway at the active zone.


2008 ◽  
Vol 183 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiaki Sakisaka ◽  
Yasunori Yamamoto ◽  
Sumiko Mochida ◽  
Michiko Nakamura ◽  
Kouki Nishikawa ◽  
...  

Neurotransmitter release from presynaptic nerve terminals is regulated by soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex–mediated synaptic vesicle fusion. Tomosyn inhibits SNARE complex formation and neurotransmitter release by sequestering syntaxin-1 through its C-terminal vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)–like domain (VLD). However, in tomosyn-deficient mice, the SNARE complex formation is unexpectedly decreased. In this study, we demonstrate that the N-terminal WD-40 repeat domain of tomosyn catalyzes the oligomerization of the SNARE complex. Microinjection of the tomosyn N-terminal WD-40 repeat domain into neurons prevented stimulated acetylcholine release. Thus, tomosyn inhibits neurotransmitter release by catalyzing oligomerization of the SNARE complex through the N-terminal WD-40 repeat domain in addition to the inhibitory activity of the C-terminal VLD.


Author(s):  
Peggy Mason

The biochemical and physiological processes of neurotransmitter release from an active zone, a specialized region of synaptic membrane, are examined. Synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters are docked at the active zone and then primed for release by SNARE complexes that bring them into extreme proximity to the plasma membrane. Entry of calcium ions through voltage-gated calcium channels triggers synaptic vesicle fusion with the synaptic terminal membrane and the consequent diffusion of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. Release results when the fusion pore bridging the synaptic vesicle and plasma membrane widens and neurotransmitter from the inside of the synaptic vesicle diffuses into the synaptic cleft. Membrane from the active zone membrane is endocytosed, and synaptic vesicle proteins are then reassembled into recycled synaptic vesicles, allowing for more rounds of neurotransmitter release.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Gething ◽  
Joshua Ferrar ◽  
Bishal Misra ◽  
Giovanni Howells ◽  
Ucheor B. Choi

AbstractNeurotransmitter release of synaptic vesicles relies on the assembly of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex, consisting of syntaxin and SNAP-25 on the plasma membrane and synaptobrevin on the synaptic vesicle. The formation of the SNARE complex progressively zippers towards the membranes, which drives membrane fusion between the plasma membrane and the synaptic vesicle. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of SNARE complex regulation is unclear. In this study, we investigate the syntaxin-3b isoform found in the retinal ribbon synapses using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to monitor the conformational changes of syntaxin-3b that modulate the SNARE complex formation. We found that syntaxin-3b is predominantly in a self-inhibiting closed conformation, inefficiently forming the ternary SNARE complex. Conversely, a phosphomimetic mutation (T14E) at the N-terminal region of syntaxin-3b promoted the open conformation, similar to the constitutively open form of syntaxin LE mutant. When syntaxin-3b is bound to Munc18-1, SNARE complex formation is almost completely blocked. Surprisingly, the T14E mutation of syntaxin-3b partially abolishes Munc18-1 regulation, acting as a conformational switch to trigger SNARE complex assembly. Thus, we suggest a model where the conformational change of syntaxin-3b induced by phosphorylation initiates the release of neurotransmitters in the ribbon synapses.


eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A Prinslow ◽  
Karolina P Stepien ◽  
Yun-Zu Pan ◽  
Junjie Xu ◽  
Josep Rizo

Neurotransmitter release requires formation of trans-SNARE complexes between the synaptic vesicle and plasma membranes, which likely underlies synaptic vesicle priming to a release-ready state. It is unknown whether Munc18-1, Munc13-1, complexin-1 and synaptotagmin-1 are important for priming because they mediate trans-SNARE complex assembly and/or because they prevent trans-SNARE complex disassembly by NSF-αSNAP, which can lead to de-priming. Here we show that trans-SNARE complex formation in the presence of NSF-αSNAP requires both Munc18-1 and Munc13-1, as proposed previously, and is facilitated by synaptotagmin-1. Our data also show that Munc18-1, Munc13-1, complexin-1 and likely synaptotagmin-1 contribute to maintaining assembled trans-SNARE complexes in the presence of NSF-αSNAP. We propose a model whereby Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 are critical not only for mediating vesicle priming but also for precluding de-priming by preventing trans-SNARE complex disassembly; in this model, complexin-1 also impairs de-priming, while synaptotagmin-1 may assist in priming and hinder de-priming.


2011 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 185a
Author(s):  
Jiajie Diao ◽  
Janghyun Yoo ◽  
Han-Ki Lee ◽  
Yoosoo Yang ◽  
Dae-Hyuk Kweon ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Guan ◽  
Mónica C. Quiñones-Frías ◽  
Yulia Akbergenova ◽  
J. Troy Littleton

AbstractSynchronous neurotransmitter release is triggered by Ca2+ binding to the synaptic vesicle protein Synaptotagmin 1, while asynchronous fusion and short-term facilitation is hypothesized to be mediated by plasma membrane-localized Synaptotagmin 7 (SYT7). We generated mutations in Drosophila Syt7 to determine if it plays a conserved role as the Ca2+ sensor for these processes. Electrophysiology and quantal imaging revealed evoked release was elevated 2-fold. Syt7 mutants also had a larger pool of readily-releasable vesicles, faster recovery following stimulation, and robust facilitation. Syt1/Syt7 double mutants displayed more release than Syt1 mutants alone, indicating SYT7 does not mediate the residual asynchronous release remaining in the absence of SYT1. SYT7 localizes to an internal membrane tubular network within the peri-active zone, but does not enrich at release sites. These findings indicate the two Ca2+ sensor model of SYT1 and SYT7 mediating all phases of neurotransmitter release and facilitation is not applicable at Drosophila synapses.


eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad W Sauvola ◽  
Yulia Akbergenova ◽  
Karen L Cunningham ◽  
Nicole A Aponte-Santiago ◽  
J Troy Littleton

Synaptic vesicle release probability (Pr) is a key presynaptic determinant of synaptic strength established by cell intrinsic properties and further refined by plasticity. To characterize mechanisms that generate Pr heterogeneity between distinct neuronal populations, we examined glutamatergic tonic (Ib) and phasic (Is) motoneurons in Drosophila with stereotyped differences in Pr and synaptic plasticity. We found the decoy SNARE Tomosyn is differentially expressed between these motoneuron subclasses and contributes to intrinsic differences in their synaptic output. Tomosyn expression enables tonic release in Ib motoneurons by reducing SNARE complex formation and suppressing Pr to generate decreased levels of synaptic vesicle fusion and enhanced resistance to synaptic fatigue. In contrast, phasic release dominates when Tomosyn expression is low, enabling high intrinsic Pr at Is terminals at the expense of sustained release and robust presynaptic potentiation. In addition, loss of Tomosyn disrupts the ability of tonic synapses to undergo presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP).


2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (34) ◽  
pp. e2021742118
Author(s):  
Rohith K. Nellikka ◽  
Bhavya R. Bhaskar ◽  
Kinjal Sanghrajka ◽  
Swapnali S. Patil ◽  
Debasis Das

α-Synuclein (α-synFL) is central to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), in which its nonfunctional oligomers accumulate and result in abnormal neurotransmission. The normal physiological function of this intrinsically disordered protein is still unclear. Although several previous studies demonstrated α-synFL’s role in various membrane fusion steps, they produced conflicting outcomes regarding vesicular secretion. Here, we assess α-synFL’s role in directly regulating individual exocytotic release events. We studied the micromillisecond dynamics of single recombinant fusion pores, the crucial kinetic intermediate of membrane fusion that tightly regulates the vesicular secretion in different cell types. α-SynFL accessed v-SNARE within the trans-SNARE complex to form an inhibitory complex. This activity was dependent on negatively charged phospholipids and resulted in decreased open probability of individual pores. The number of trans-SNARE complexes influenced α-synFL’s inhibitory action. Regulatory factors that arrest SNARE complexes in different assembly states differentially modulate α-synFL’s ability to alter fusion pore dynamics. α-SynFL regulates pore properties in the presence of Munc13-1 and Munc18, which stimulate α-SNAP/NSF–resistant SNARE complex formation. In the presence of synaptotagmin1(syt1), α-synFL contributes with apo-syt1 to act as a membrane fusion clamp, whereas Ca2+•syt1 triggered α-synFL–resistant SNARE complex formation that rendered α-synFL inactive in modulating pore properties. This study reveals a key role of α-synFL in controlling vesicular secretion.


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