scholarly journals Incomplete vesicular docking limits synaptic strength under high release probability conditions

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo Malagon ◽  
Takafumi Miki ◽  
Van Tran ◽  
Laura C Gomez ◽  
Alain Marty

Central mammalian synapses release synaptic vesicles in dedicated structures called docking/release sites. It has been assumed that when voltage-dependent calcium entry is sufficiently large, synaptic output attains a maximum value of one synaptic vesicle per action potential and per site. Here we use deconvolution to count synaptic vesicle output at single sites (mean site number per synapse: 3.6). When increasing calcium entry with tetraethylammonium in 1.5 mM external calcium concentration, we find that synaptic output saturates at 0.22 vesicle per site, not at 1 vesicle per site. Fitting the results with current models of calcium-dependent exocytosis indicates that the 0.22 vesicle limit reflects the probability of docking sites to be occupied by synaptic vesicles at rest, as only docked vesicles can be released. With 3 mM external calcium, the maximum output per site increases to 0.47, indicating an increase in docking site occupancy as a function of external calcium concentration.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. O'Sullivan ◽  
R. D. Burgoyne

Bradykinin, angiotensin II and a mascarnic agonist, acetyl-B-methacholine (methacholine) were all found to elict catecholamine release from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Bradykinin was the most potent of these secretagogues and methacholine the weakest, with angiotenin II intermediate in efficacy. All three secretagogues were much less effective than nicotinic stimulation. The three secretagogues all produced a rise in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), measured with the fluorescent indicator fura2, which was partially independent of external calcium. In the case of bradykinin the full rise in ([Ca2+]i) may involve a component of calcium entry in addition to release of calcium from an internal store. Secretion was also found to be partially independent of external calcium. The different efficacies of the three secretagogues in elicting secretion were correlated with the rise in ([Ca2+]i) produced. The differeing efficacies of the three secretagogues may be due to the extent of release of calcium from an intracellular store which itself is less effective in eliciting secretion than a rise in [Ca2+]i following calcium entry due to nicotine. Bradykinin also stimulates calcium entry, and this may increase the efficacy of the initial rise in [Ca2+]i. Treatment with pertussis toxin resulted in an enhancement of secretion in response to all of the secretagogues.


1991 ◽  
Vol 46 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 461-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Stieve ◽  
H. Reuß ◽  
H. T. Hennig ◽  
J. Klomfaß

Bumps, the elementary excitatory events of the Limulus ventral nerve photo receptor following a weak flash of light were recorded under voltage clamp conditions. The statistical distribution of various bump parameters and their changes caused by weak conditioning pre-illumination are described, and the influence of lowered external Ca2+-concentration together with normal or raised Mg2+-concentration (15 °C).1) Weak conditioning pre-illumination causes desensitization: the bump current amplitude, bump duration , bump area (current-integral), and the bump latency are diminished, the more, the stronger the conditioning flash, i.e. the light adaptation. Very weak conditioning pre-illumination causes facilitation, expressed by an increase in number and size of the observed bumps. The average bump latency, however, is already shortened under these conditions.2) Lowering the external Ca2+-concentration from 10 mmol/l to 250 (µmol/1 has its primary effect on the dark -adapted photoreceptor (without substantially reducing the ability for light adaptation ). It causes the following average changes: the amplitudes, durations, current-integrals, and the latencies of current bumps are greatly enlarged and the number of bumps is raised.3) Raised magnesium concentration from 50 to 100 mmol/l can partially compensate for the lack of calcium ; however, it enhances the effect of calcium deficiency on the latency, i.e. it further enlarges the average latencies. The results can be explained on the basis of our model of bump generation by two assumptions.1) Lowering the external calcium concentration causes a decrease in the cytosolic Ca2+-level without substantially reducing the intracellular calcium stores from which the light-adapting calcium release is fed. The lowered cytosolic Ca2+-concentration induces an “extra” dark adaptation resulting in greater bumps and more bumps exceeding the threshold of recognition. The bump latency, however, which behaves differently from all other bump parameters, is determined by a separate calcium -dependent reaction where magnesium competes with calcium antagonistically. 2) Facilitation is due to cooperativity of transmitter binding in order to open the ion channels


1983 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1374-1388 ◽  
Author(s):  
W B Huttner ◽  
W Schiebler ◽  
P Greengard ◽  
P De Camilli

Synapsin I (protein I) is a neuron-specific phosphoprotein, which is a substrate for cAMP-dependent and Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases. In two accompanying studies (De Camilli, P., R. Cameron, and P. Greengard, and De Camilli, P., S. M. Harris, Jr., W. B. Huttner, and P. Greengard, 1983, J. Cell Biol. 96:1337-1354 and 1355-1373) we have shown, by immunocytochemical techniques at the light microscopic and electron microscopic levels, that synapsin I is present in the majority of, and possibly in all, nerve terminals, where it is primarily associated with synaptic vesicles. In the present study we have prepared a highly purified synaptic vesicle fraction from rat brain by a procedure that involves permeation chromatography on controlled-pore glass as a final purification step. Using immunological methods, synapsin I concentrations were determined in various subcellular fractions obtained in the course of vesicle purification. Synapsin I was found to copurify with synaptic vesicles and to represent approximately 6% of the total protein in the highly purified synaptic vesicle fraction. The copurification of synapsin I with synaptic vesicles was dependent on the use of low ionic strength media throughout the purification. Synapsin I was released into the soluble phase by increased ionic strength at neutral pH, but not by nonionic detergents. The highly purified synaptic vesicle fraction contained a calcium-dependent protein kinase that phosphorylated endogenous synapsin I in its collagenase-sensitive tail region. The phosphorylation of this region appeared to facilitate the dissociation of synapsin I from synaptic vesicles under the experimental conditions used.


2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sascha Martens

Neurotransmitter release is mediated by the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic plasma membrane. Fusion is triggered by a rise in the intracellular calcium concentration and is dependent on the neuronal SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein-attachment protein receptor) complex. A plethora of molecules such as members of the MUNC13, MUNC18, complexin and synaptotagmin families act along with the SNARE complex to enable calcium-regulated synaptic vesicle exocytosis. The synaptotagmins are localized to synaptic vesicles by an N-terminal transmembrane domain and contain two cytoplasmic C2 domains. Members of the synaptotagmin family are thought to translate the rise in intracellular calcium concentration into synaptic vesicle fusion. The C2 domains of synaptotagmin-1 bind membranes in a calcium-dependent manner and in response induce a high degree of membrane curvature, which is required for its ability to trigger membrane fusion in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, members of the soluble DOC2 (double-C2 domain) protein family have similar properties. Taken together, these results suggest that C2 domain proteins such as the synaptotagmins and DOC2s promote membrane fusion by the induction of membrane curvature in the vicinity of the SNARE complex. Given the widespread expression of C2 domain proteins in secretory cells, it is proposed that promotion of SNARE-dependent membrane fusion by the induction of membrane curvature is a widespread phenomenon.


2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (1) ◽  
pp. F127-F136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carie S. Facemire ◽  
William J. Arendshorst

Although L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels play a major role in mediating vascular smooth muscle cell contraction in the renal vasculature, non-L-type calcium entry mechanisms represent a significant component of vasoactive agonist-induced calcium entry in these cells as well. To investigate the role of these non-voltage-dependent calcium entry pathways in the regulation of renal microvascular reactivity, we have characterized the function of store- and receptor-operated channels (SOCs and ROCs) in renal cortical interlobular arteries (ILAs) of rats. Using fura 2-loaded, microdissected ILAs, we find that the L-type channel antagonist nifedipine blocks less than half the rise in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) elicited by norepinephrine. SOCs were activated in these vessels using the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) inhibitors cyclopiazonic acid and thapsigargin and were dose dependently blocked by the SOC antagonists Gd3+ and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and the combined SOC/ROC antagonist SKF-96365. Gd3+ had no effect on the non-L-type Ca2+ entry activated by 1 μM NE. A low concentration of SKF-96365 that did not affect thapsigargin-induced store-operated Ca2+ entry blocked 60–70% of the NE-induced Ca2+ entry. Two different calmodulin inhibitors (W-7 and trifluoperazine) also blocked the NE-induced Ca2+ entry. These data suggest that in addition to L-type channels, NE primarily activates ROCs rather than SOCs in ILAs and that this receptor-operated Ca2+ entry mechanism is regulated by calmodulin. Interestingly, 2-APB completely blocked the NE-induced non-L-type Ca2+ entry, implying that SOCs and ROCs in preglomerular resistance vessels share a common molecular structure.


2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHIH-FANG FAN ◽  
STEPHEN YAZULLA

Cannabinoid CB1receptor (viaGs) and dopamine D2receptor (viaGi/o) antagonistically modulate goldfish cone membrane currents. As ON bipolar cells have CB1and D1receptors, but not D2receptors, we focused on whether CB1receptor agonist and dopamine interact to modulate voltage-dependent outward membrane K+currentsIK(V)of the ON mixed rod/cone (Mb) bipolar cells. Whole-cell currents were recorded from Mb bipolar cells in goldfish retinal slices. Mb bipolar cells were identified by intracellular filling with Lucifer yellow. The bath solution was calcium-free and contained 1 mM cobalt to block indirect calcium-dependent effects. Dopamine (10 μM) consistently increasedIK(V)by a factor of 1.57 ± 0.12 (S.E.M.,n= 15). A CB receptor agonist, WIN 55212-2 (0.25–1 μM), had no effect, but 4 μM WIN 55212-2 suppressedIK(V)by 60%. IfIK(V)was first increased by 10 μM dopamine, application of WIN 55212-2 (0.25–1 μM) reversibly blocked the effect of dopamine even though these concentrations of WIN 55212-2 had no effect of their own. If WIN 55212-2 was applied first and dopamine (10 μM) was added to the WIN-containing solution, 0.1 μM WIN 55212-2 blocked the effect of dopamine. All effects of WIN 55212-2 were blocked by coapplication of SR 141716A (CB1antagonist) and pretreatment with pertussis toxin (blocker of Gi/o) indicating actionviaCB1receptor activation of G protein Gi/o. Coactivation of CB1and D1receptors on Mb bipolar cells produces reciprocal effects onIK(V). The CB1-evoked suppression ofIK(V)is mediated by G protein Gi/o, whereas the D1-evoked enhancement is mediated by G protein Gs. As dopamine is a retinal “light” signal, these data support our notion that endocannabinoids function as a “dark” signal, interacting with dopamine to set retinal sensitivity.


2006 ◽  
Vol 174 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shernaz X. Bamji ◽  
Beatriz Rico ◽  
Nikole Kimes ◽  
Louis F. Reichardt

Neurons of the vertebrate central nervous system have the capacity to modify synapse number, morphology, and efficacy in response to activity. Some of these functions can be attributed to activity-induced synthesis and secretion of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); however, the molecular mechanisms by which BDNF mediates these events are still not well understood. Using time-lapse confocal analysis, we show that BDNF mobilizes synaptic vesicles at existing synapses, resulting in small clusters of synaptic vesicles “splitting” away from synaptic sites. We demonstrate that BDNF's ability to mobilize synaptic vesicle clusters depends on the dissociation of cadherin–β-catenin adhesion complexes that occurs after tyrosine phosphorylation of β-catenin. Artificially maintaining cadherin–β-catenin complexes in the presence of BDNF abolishes the BDNF-mediated enhancement of synaptic vesicle mobility, as well as the longer-term BDNF-mediated increase in synapse number. Together, this data demonstrates that the disruption of cadherin–β-catenin complexes is an important molecular event through which BDNF increases synapse density in cultured hippocampal neurons.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (1) ◽  
pp. C74-C78 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Joumaa ◽  
D. E. Rassier ◽  
T. R. Leonard ◽  
W. Herzog

The aim of the present study was to test whether titin is a calcium-dependent spring and whether it is the source of the passive force enhancement observed in muscle and single fiber preparations. We measured passive force enhancement in troponin C (TnC)-depleted myofibrils in which active force production was completely eliminated. The TnC-depleted construct allowed for the investigation of the effect of calcium concentration on passive force, without the confounding effects of actin-myosin cross-bridge formation and active force production. Passive forces in TnC-depleted myofibrils ( n = 6) were 35.0 ± 2.9 nN/ μm2 when stretched to an average sarcomere length of 3.4 μm in a solution with low calcium concentration (pCa 8.0). Passive forces in the same myofibrils increased by 25% to 30% when stretches were performed in a solution with high calcium concentration (pCa 3.5). Since it is well accepted that titin is the primary source for passive force in rabbit psoas myofibrils and since the increase in passive force in TnC-depleted myofibrils was abolished after trypsin treatment, our results suggest that increasing calcium concentration is associated with increased titin stiffness. However, this calcium-induced titin stiffness accounted for only ∼25% of the passive force enhancement observed in intact myofibrils. Therefore, ∼75% of the normally occurring passive force enhancement remains unexplained. The findings of the present study suggest that passive force enhancement is partly caused by a calcium-induced increase in titin stiffness but also requires cross-bridge formation and/or active force production for full manifestation.


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