scholarly journals cAMP Modulates Intracellular Ca2+ Sensitivity of Fast-Releasing Synaptic Vesicles at the Calyx of Held Synapse

2010 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 3250-3260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijun Yao ◽  
Takeshi Sakaba
Keyword(s):  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Calyx Of Held ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Brain Stem Slices ◽  
Allosteric Model ◽  
Stem Slices

cAMP potentiates neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic terminal in many CNS synapses, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we addressed this issue quantitatively by performing double patch-clamp recordings from the pre- and postsynaptic compartments of the calyx of Held synapse in rat brain stem slices in combination with Ca2+ uncaging. We found that elevation of cAMP increased intracellular Ca2+ sensitivity for transmitter release especially at lower Ca2+ concentrations. The change in Ca2+ sensitivity was limited to the fast-releasing synaptic vesicles, which could be released rapidly on action potentials. cAMP did not affect the slowly releasing vesicles. Fit of the data using a simplified allosteric model indicated that cAMP increased the fusion “willingness,” thereby facilitating transmitter release. We suggest that synaptic vesicles have to be positionally primed to the release sites close to the Ca2+ channel cluster for cAMP to modulate intracellular Ca2+ sensitivity of transmitter release.

Different VAMP/Synaptobrevin Complexes for Spontaneous and Evoked Transmitter Release at the Crayfish Neuromuscular Junction

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 3233-3246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shao-Ying Hua ◽  
Dorota A. Raciborska ◽  
William S. Trimble ◽  
Milton P. Charlton
Keyword(s):  
Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Spontaneous Release ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Crayfish Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Evoked Transmitter Release

Hua, Shao-Ying, Dorota A. Raciborska, William S. Trimble, and Milton P. Charlton. Different VAMP/synaptobrevin complexes for spontaneous and evoked transmitter release at the crayfish neuromuscular junction. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 3233–3246, 1998. Although vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP/synaptobrevin) is essential for evoked neurotransmitter release, its role in spontaneous transmitter release remains uncertain. For instance, many studies show that tetanus toxin (TeNT), which cleaves VAMP, blocks evoked transmitter release but leaves some spontaneous transmitter release. We used recombinant tetanus and botulinum neurotoxin catalytic light chains (TeNT-LC, BoNT/B-LC, and BoNT/D-LC) to examine the role of VAMP in spontaneous transmitter release at neuromuscular junctions (nmj) of crayfish. Injection of TeNT-LC into presynaptic axons removed most of the VAMP immunoreactivity and blocked evoked transmitter release without affecting nerve action potentials or Ca2+ influx. The frequency of spontaneous transmitter release was little affected by the TeNT-LC when the evoked transmitter release had been blocked by >95%. The spontaneous transmitter release left after TeNT-LC treatment was insensitive to increases in intracellular Ca2+. BoNT/B-LC, which cleaves VAMP at the same site as TeNT-LC but uses a different binding site, also blocked evoked release but had minimal effect on spontaneous release. However, BoNT/D-LC, which cleaves VAMP at a different site from the other two toxins but binds to the same position on VAMP as TeNT, blocked both evoked and spontaneous transmitter release at similar rates. The data indicate that different VAMP complexes are employed for evoked and spontaneous transmitter release; the VAMP used in spontaneous release is not readily cleaved by TeNT or BoNT/B. Because the exocytosis that occurs after the action of TeNT cannot be increased by increased intracellular Ca2+, the final steps in neurotransmitter release are Ca2+ independent.

scholarly journals Synaptotagmin 1 oligomers clamp and regulate different modes of neurotransmitter release

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Tagliatti ◽  
Oscar D. Bello ◽  
Philipe R. F. Mendonça ◽  
Dimitrios Kotzadimitriou ◽  
Elizabeth Nicholson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Imaging ◽  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Activation Mechanism ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Synaptotagmin 1 ◽  
Asynchronous Release

AbstractSynaptotagmin1 (Syt1) synchronises neurotransmitter release to action potentials acting as the fast Ca2+ release sensor and as the inhibitor (clamp) of spontaneous and delayed asynchronous release. Whilst the Syt1 Ca2+ activation mechanism has been well characterised, how Syt1 clamps transmitter release remains enigmatic. Here we show that C2B domain-dependent oligomerisation provides the molecular basis for the Syt1 clamping function. This follows from the investigation of a designed mutation (F349A), which selectively destabilises Syt1 oligomerisation. Using combination of fluorescence imaging and electrophysiology in neocortical synapses we show that Syt1F349A is more efficient than wild type Syt1 (Syt1WT) in triggering synchronous transmitter release but fails to clamp spontaneous and Synaptotagmin7 (Syt7)-mediated asynchronous release components both in rescue (Syt1−/− knock-out background) and dominant-interference (Syt1+/+ background) conditions. Thus we conclude that Ca2+-sensitive Syt1 oligomers, acting as an exocytosis clamp, are critical for maintaining the balance among the different modes of neurotransmitter release.

scholarly journals Synaptotagmin 1 oligomers clamp and regulate different modes of neurotransmitter release

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (7) ◽  
pp. 3819-3827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Tagliatti ◽  
Oscar D. Bello ◽  
Philipe R. F. Mendonça ◽  
Dimitrios Kotzadimitriou ◽  
Elizabeth Nicholson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Imaging ◽  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Activation Mechanism ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Synaptotagmin 1 ◽  
Asynchronous Release

Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) synchronizes neurotransmitter release to action potentials (APs) acting as the fast Ca2+ release sensor and as the inhibitor (clamp) of spontaneous and delayed asynchronous release. While the Syt1 Ca2+ activation mechanism has been well-characterized, how Syt1 clamps transmitter release remains enigmatic. Here we show that C2B domain-dependent oligomerization provides the molecular basis for the Syt1 clamping function. This follows from the investigation of a designed mutation (F349A), which selectively destabilizes Syt1 oligomerization. Using a combination of fluorescence imaging and electrophysiology in neocortical synapses, we show that Syt1F349A is more efficient than wild-type Syt1 (Syt1WT) in triggering synchronous transmitter release but fails to clamp spontaneous and synaptotagmin 7 (Syt7)-mediated asynchronous release components both in rescue (Syt1−/− knockout background) and dominant-interference (Syt1+/+ background) conditions. Thus, we conclude that Ca2+-sensitive Syt1 oligomers, acting as an exocytosis clamp, are critical for maintaining the balance among the different modes of neurotransmitter release.

Presynaptic calcium-activated potassium channels and calcium channels at a crayfish neuromuscular junction

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Blundon ◽  
S. N. Wright ◽  
M. S. Brodwick ◽  
G. D. Bittner
Keyword(s):  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Presynaptic Terminal ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Ca Channel ◽  
Current Clamp ◽  
Presynaptic Terminals ◽  
Duration Of Action ◽  
Test Pulse

1. We used a two-microelectrode current clamp to investigate various characteristics of the Ca(2+)-activated K+ conductance [gK(Ca)] and Ca2+ conductance (gCa), and transmitter release in presynaptic terminals of excitatory neuromuscular junctions in the crayfish walking leg. 2. Voltage-activated Na+ conductances (gNa) and K+ conductances [gK(v)] were blocked with tetrodotoxin and 3,4-diaminopyridine, respectively. Under these conditions, presynaptic depolarization produced by a first (conditioning) pulse admitted Ca2+ into the presynaptic terminals and activated gK(Ca), which modulated the amplitude of the depolarization produced by a second (test) pulse. The relative amount of gK(Ca) measured at the test pulse increased with increased magnitude or duration of the conditioning pulse. 3. A brief hyperpolarization immediately after a conditioning pulse substantially reduced gK(Ca). 4. gK(Ca) activation was blocked by funnel web spider toxin (a Ca2+ channel blocker) or by injection of the presynaptic terminal region with a calcium chelator, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). Under current-clamp conditions, gK(Ca) was not blocked by charybdotoxin or iberiotoxin [specific gK(Ca) blockers]. 5. When gK(Ca) was blocked or reduced, the amplitude of the depolarizing afterpotential of action potentials was increased. When gK(v) was blocked or reduced, the duration of action potentials was increased. 6. Intracellular injection of BAPTA into the presynaptic terminal region eliminated evoked neurotransmitter release before test pulse modulation was affected, suggesting that the K(Ca) channel had a greater sensitivity (greater affinity or lower stoichiometry) for Ca2+ than did the transmitter release machinery. BAPTA reduced neurotransmitter release by 66-78%, but did not affect facilitation of neurotransmitter release. 7. When gNa, gK(v), and gK(Ca) were blocked, we detected a membrane depolarization produced by an increase in presynaptic gCa that was eliminated by 2 mM Cd2+ or 0 mM Ca2+.

scholarly journals Calcium dependence of neurotransmitter release at a high fidelity synapse

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelmoneim Eshra ◽  
Hartmut Schmidt ◽  
Jens Eilers ◽  
Stefan Hallermann
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Mossy Fiber ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Technical Challenge ◽  
Fundamental Parameters ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Vesicle Pools ◽  
Intracellular Ca

The Ca2+-dependence of the priming, fusion, and replenishment of synaptic vesicles are fundamental parameters controlling neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. Despite intense efforts, these important steps in the synaptic vesicles’ cycle remain poorly understood due to the technical challenge in disentangling vesicle priming, fusion, and replenishment. Here, we investigated the Ca2+-sensitivity of these steps at mossy fiber synapses in the rodent cerebellum, which are characterized by fast vesicle replenishment mediating high-frequency signaling. We found that the basal free Ca2+ concentration (<200 nM) critically controls action potential-evoked release, indicating a high-affinity Ca2+ sensor for vesicle priming. Ca2+ uncaging experiments revealed a surprisingly shallow and non-saturating relationship between release rate and intracellular Ca2+ concentration up to 50 μM. The rate of vesicle replenishment during sustained elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration exhibited little Ca2+-dependence. Finally, quantitative mechanistic release schemes with five Ca2+ binding steps incorporating rapid vesicle replenishment via parallel or sequential vesicle pools could explain our data. We thus show that co-existing high- and low-affinity Ca2+ sensors mediate priming, fusion, and replenishment of synaptic vesicles at a high-fidelity synapse.

Regulation of cholinergic activity by the vesicular acetylcholine transporter

2013 ◽  
Vol 450 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vania F. Prado ◽  
Ashbeel Roy ◽  
Benjamin Kolisnyk ◽  
Robert Gros ◽  
Marco A. M. Prado
Keyword(s):  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Cholinergic Neurons ◽  
Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter ◽  
Cholinergic Activity ◽  
Neurotransmitter Transporter ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Surprising Finding

Acetylcholine, the first chemical to be identified as a neurotransmitter, is packed in synaptic vesicles by the activity of VAChT (vesicular acetylcholine transporter). A decrease in VAChT expression has been reported in a number of diseases, and this has consequences for the amount of acetylcholine loaded in synaptic vesicles as well as for neurotransmitter release. Several genetically modified mice targeting the VAChT gene have been generated, providing novel models to understand how changes in VAChT affect transmitter release. A surprising finding is that most cholinergic neurons in the brain also can express a second type of vesicular neurotransmitter transporter that allows these neurons to secrete two distinct neurotransmitters. Thus a given neuron can use two neurotransmitters to regulate different physiological functions. In addition, recent data indicate that non-neuronal cells can also express the machinery used to synthesize and release acetylcholine. Some of these cells rely on VAChT to secrete acetylcholine with potential physiological consequences in the periphery. Hence novel functions for the oldest neurotransmitter known are emerging with the potential to provide new targets for the treatment of several pathological conditions.

Differences in presynaptic action of 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium at frog neuromuscular junction

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 747-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. Glavinović
Keyword(s):  
Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Potassium Conductance ◽  
Frog Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Quantal Content ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Intracellular Ca

4-Aminopyridine markedly potentiates transmitter release at the frog cutaneous pectoris neuromuscular junction by increasing the quantal content even when applied at low concentrations (5–20 μM). This enhancement of transmitter release is associated with greater minimum synaptic latency, but the dispersion of the synaptic latencies does not appear much affected. This is in contrast with the action of tetraethylammonium (0.2–0.5 mM) in which case similar enhancement of transmitter release results not only in larger minimum synaptic latency but also in greater dispersion of the synaptic latencies. The time course of transmitter release associated with enhanced transmitter output is hence much more prolonged in the presence of tetraethylammonium than 4-aminopyridine, at least for low concentrations of 4-aminopyridine (5–20 μM). This indicates that their presynaptic actions differ significantly. This conclusion is further strengthened by the finding that unlike tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine induces bursts of release, presumably by producing multiple action potentials in the nerve terminal. Tetraethylammonium probably acts by blocking the delayed potassium conductance, but the blockade of Ca2+-activated K+ conductance cannot be excluded. 4-Aminopyridine, however, probably blocks the fast inactivating (IA) K+ current, but it also may be acting directly on the voltage-dependent Ca2+ conductance or on the intracellular Ca2+ buffering.

scholarly journals Depolarization-Induced Calcium-Independent Synaptic Vesicle Exo- and Endocytosis at Frog Motor Nerve Terminals

Acta Naturae ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 77-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Abdrakhmanov ◽  
A. M. Petrov ◽  
P. N. Grigoryev ◽  
A. L. Zefirov
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Vesicle ◽  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Fluorescent Microscopy ◽  
Constant Current ◽  
Nerve Terminals ◽  
Ca Channels ◽  
Cooperative Action ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Vesicle Exocytosis

The transmitter release and synaptic vesicle exo- and endocytosis induced by constant current depolarization of nerve terminals were studied by microelectode extracellular recording of miniature endplate currents and fluorescent microscopy (FM 1-43 styryl dye). Depolarization of the plasma membrane of nerve terminals in the control specimen was shown to significantly increase the MEPC frequency (quantal transmitter release) and exocytotic rate (FM 1-43 unloading from the synaptic vesicles preliminarily stained with the dye), which was caused by a rise in the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration due to opening of voltage-gated Ca channels. A slight increase in the MEPC frequency and in the rate of synaptic vesicle exocytosis was observed under depolarization in case of blockade of Ca channels and chelating of intracellular Ca 2+ ions (cooperative action of Cd 2+ and EGTA-AM). The processes of synaptic vesicle endocytosis (FM 1-43 loading) were proportional to the number of synaptic vesicles that had undergone exocytosis both in the control and in case of cooperative action of Cd 2+ and EGTA-AM. A hypothesis has been put forward that Ca-independent synaptic vesicle exo- and endocytosis that can be induced directly by depolarization of the membrane exists in the frog motor terminal in addition to the conventional Ca-dependent process.

scholarly journals Role of Rab3 GDP/GTP Exchange Protein in Synaptic Vesicle Trafficking at the Mouse Neuromuscular Junction

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1421-1430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miki Tanaka ◽  
Jun Miyoshi ◽  
Hiroyoshi Ishizaki ◽  
Atsushi Togawa ◽  
Katsunori Ohnishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Axonal Conduction ◽  
Small G Protein ◽  
Presynaptic Plasma Membrane ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscles ◽  
Exchange Protein

The Rab3 small G protein family consists of four members, Rab3A, -3B, -3C, and -3D. Of these members, Rab3A regulates Ca2+-dependent neurotransmitter release. These small G proteins are activated by Rab3 GDP/GTP exchange protein (Rab3 GEP). To determine the function of Rab3 GEP during neurotransmitter release, we have knocked out Rab3 GEP in mice. Rab3 GEP−/− mice developed normally but died immediately after birth. Embryos at E18.5 showed no evoked action potentials of the diaphragm and gastrocnemius muscles in response to electrical stimulation of the phrenic and sciatic nerves, respectively. In contrast, axonal conduction of the spinal cord and the phrenic nerve was not impaired. Total numbers of synaptic vesicles, especially those docked at the presynaptic plasma membrane, were reduced at the neuromuscular junction ∼10-fold compared with controls, whereas postsynaptic structures and functions appeared normal. Thus, Rab3 GEP is essential for neurotransmitter release and probably for formation and trafficking of the synaptic vesicles.

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