Synaptotagmin I functions as a calcium regulator of release probability

Ca2+-triggered simultaneous membrane penetration of the tandem C2-domains of synaptotagmin I

Synaptotagmin I (syt), a transmembrane protein localized to secretory vesicles, functions as a Ca2+ sensor that facilitates SNARE-mediated membrane fusion. The cytoplasmic domain of syt harbors two C2-domains designated C2A and C2B. Upon binding Ca2+, C2A and C2B partially penetrate into membranes that contain anionic phospholipids. However, it is unknown whether these tandem C2-domains engage membranes at the same time, in a sequential manner, or in a mutually exclusive manner. We have used site-directed fluorescent probes to monitor the penetration of syt's C2-domains into phosphatidylserine-harboring lipid bilayers. We report that, in response to Ca2+, C2A and C2B copenetrate into these bilayers with diffusion-limited kinetics. Membrane penetration was more efficient when synthetic rather than natural phospholipids were used to prepare bilayers. The membrane penetration activity of the intact cytoplasmic domain of syt (C2A-C2B) exhibits significant resistance to changes in ionic strength. In contrast, the ability of isolated C2B to bind membranes in response to Ca2+ can be disrupted by subtle changes in ionic strength. Tethering C2B to a mutant version of C2A that does not bind Ca2+ or membranes significantly increases the stability of Ca2+.C2B.membrane complexes, confirming that C2A affects the membrane-binding properties of the adjacent C2B domain.

Discrete residues in the c(2)b domain of synaptotagmin I independently specify endocytic rate and synaptic vesicle size

It has been demonstrated that synapses lacking functional synaptotagmin I (Syt I) have a decreased rate of synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Beyond this, the function of Syt I during endocytosis remains undefined. Here, we demonstrate that a decreased rate of endocytosis in syt(null) mutants correlates with a stimulus-dependent perturbation of membrane internalization, assayed ultrastructurally. We then separate the mechanisms that control endocytic rate and vesicle size by mapping these processes to discrete residues in the Syt I C(2)B domain. Mutation of a poly-lysine motif alters vesicle size but not endocytic rate, whereas the mutation of calcium-coordinating aspartate residues (syt-D3,4N) alters endocytic rate but not vesicle size. Finally, slowed endocytic rate in the syt-D3,4N animals, but not syt(null) animals, can be rescued by elevating extracellular calcium concentration, supporting the conclusion that calcium coordination within the C(2)B domain contributes to the control of endocytic rate.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of exocytotic noradrenaline release via presynaptic receptors

The release of noradrenaline from nerve terminals is modulated by a variety of presynaptic receptors. These receptors belong to one of the following three receptor superfamilies: transmitter-gated ion channels, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), and membrane receptors with intracellular enzymatic activities. For representatives of each of these three superfamilies, receptor activation has been reported to cause either an enhancement or a reduction of noradrenaline release. As these receptor classes display greatly diverging structures and functions, a multitude of different molecular mechanisms are involved in the regulation of noradrenaline release via presynaptic receptors. This review gives a short overview of the presynaptic receptors on noradrenergic nerve terminals and summarizes the events involved in vesicle exocytosis in order to finally delineate the most important signaling cascades that mediate the modulation via presynaptic receptors. In addition, the interactions between the various presynaptic receptors are described and the underlying molecular mechanisms are elucidated. Together, these presynaptic signaling mechanisms form a sophisticated network that precisely adapts the amount of noradrenaline being released to a given situation.

Unraveling the mechanisms of synaptotagmin and SNARE function in neurotransmitter release

SNARE proteins and synaptotagmin are key components of the complex machinery that controls Ca(2+)-triggered neurotransmitter release but their mechanisms of action are under debate. Recent research has shed light on which biochemical and/or biophysical properties underlie SNARE and synaptotagmin function. SNARE proteins most likely have a role in membrane fusion owing to their ability to bring the synaptic vesicle and plasma membranes together and to perturb lipid bilayers through their transmembrane regions. Synaptotagmin acts as a Ca(2+) sensor and might cooperate with the SNAREs in accelerating fusion by binding simultaneously to the two membranes. However, recent research has strongly challenged the validity of models proposing that the SNAREs (with or without synaptotagmin) constitute "minimal membrane fusion machineries" and has emphasized the essential nature of other proteins for exocytosis. Understanding the functions of these proteins will be crucial to reach a faithful description of the mechanisms of membrane fusion and neurotransmitter release.

Drosophila synaptotagmin Inull mutants show severe alterations in vesicle populations but calcium-binding motif mutants do not

Synaptotagmin I is a synaptic vesicle protein postulated to mediate vesicle docking, vesicle recycling, and the Ca(2+) sensing required to trigger vesicle fusion. Analysis of synaptotagmin I knockouts (sytI(NULL) mutants) in both Drosophila and mice led to these hypotheses. Although much research on the mechanisms of synaptic transmission in Drosophila is performed at the third instar neuromuscular junction, the ultrastructure of this synapse has never been analyzed in sytI(NULL) mutants. Here we report severe synaptic vesicle depletion, an accumulation of large vesicles, and decreased vesicle docking at sytI(NULL) third instar neuromuscular junctions. Mutations in synaptotagmin I's C(2)B Ca(2+)-binding motif nearly abolish synaptic transmission and decrease the apparent Ca(2+) affinity of neurotransmitter release. Although this result is consistent with disruption of the Ca(2+) sensor, synaptic vesicle depletion and/or redistribution away from the site of Ca(2+) influx could produce a similar phenotype. To address this question, we examined vesicle distributions at neuromuscular junctions from third instar C(2)B Ca(2+)-binding motif mutants and transgenic wild-type controls. The number of docked vesicles and the overall number of synaptic vesicles in the vicinity of active zones was unchanged in the mutants. We conclude that the near elimination of synaptic transmission and the decrease in the Ca(2+) affinity of release observed in C(2)B Ca(2+)-binding motif mutants is not due to altered synaptic vesicle distribution but rather is a direct result of disrupting synaptotagmin I's ability to bind Ca(2+). Thus, Ca(2+) binding by the C(2)B domain mediates a post-docking step in fusion.

Genetic analysis of synaptotagmin 2 in spontaneous and Ca2+-triggered neurotransmitter release

Synaptotagmin 2 resembles synaptotagmin 1, the Ca2+ sensor for fast neurotransmitter release in forebrain synapses, but little is known about synaptotagmin 2 function. Here, we describe a severely ataxic mouse strain that harbors a single, destabilizing amino-acid substitution (I377N) in synaptotagmin 2. In Calyx of Held synapses, this mutation causes a delay and a decrease in Ca2+-induced but not in hypertonic sucrose-induced release, suggesting that synaptotagmin 2 mediates Ca2+ triggering of evoked release in brainstem synapses. Unexpectedly, we additionally observed in synaptotagmin 2 mutant synapses a dramatic increase in spontaneous release. Synaptotagmin 1-deficient excitatory and inhibitory cortical synapses also displayed a large increase in spontaneous release, demonstrating that this effect was shared among synaptotagmins 1 and 2. Our data suggest that synaptotagmin 1 and 2 perform equivalent functions in the Ca2+ triggering of action potential-induced release and in the restriction of spontaneous release, consistent with a general role of synaptotagmins in controlling 'release slots' for synaptic vesicles at the active zone.

Synaptotagmin IV is necessary for the maturation of secretory granules in PC12 cells

In neuroendocrine PC12 cells, immature secretory granules (ISGs) mature through homotypic fusion and membrane remodeling. We present evidence that the ISG-localized synaptotagmin IV (Syt IV) is involved in ISG maturation. Using an in vitro homotypic fusion assay, we show that the cytoplasmic domain (CD) of Syt IV, but not of Syt I, VII, or IX, inhibits ISG homotypic fusion. Moreover, Syt IV CD binds specifically to ISGs and not to mature secretory granules (MSGs), and Syt IV binds to syntaxin 6, a SNARE protein that is involved in ISG maturation. ISG homotypic fusion was inhibited in vivo by small interfering RNA–mediated depletion of Syt IV. Furthermore, the Syt IV CD, as well as Syt IV depletion, reduces secretogranin II (SgII) processing by prohormone convertase 2 (PC2). PC2 is found mostly in the proform, suggesting that activation of PC2 is also inhibited. Granule formation, and the sorting of SgII and PC2 from the trans-Golgi network into ISGs and MSGs, however, is not affected. We conclude that Syt IV is an essential component for secretory granule maturation.

Phosphatidylinositol phosphates as co-activators of Ca2+ binding to C2 domains of synaptotagmin 1

Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding to the C2A and C2B domains of synaptotagmin 1 is thought to trigger fast neurotransmitter release, but only Ca2+ binding to the C2B domain is essential for release. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we have compared the role of basic residues in Ca2+/phospholipid binding and in release. Mutations in a polybasic sequence on the side of the C2B domain beta-sandwich or in a basic residue in a top Ca2+-binding loop of the C2A domain (R233) cause comparable decreases in the apparent Ca2+ affinity of synaptotagmin 1 and the Ca2+ sensitivity of release, whereas mutation of the residue homologous to Arg233 in the C2B domain (Lys366) has no effect. Phosphatidylinositol polyphosphates co-activate Ca2+-dependent and -independent phospholipid binding to synaptotagmin 1, but the effects of these mutations on release only correlate with their effects on the Ca2+-dependent component. These results reveal clear distinctions in the Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding modes of the synaptotagmin 1 C2 domains that may underlie their functional asymmetry and suggest that phosphatidylinositol polyphosphates may serve as physiological modulators of Ca2+ affinity of synaptotagmin 1 in vivo.

Ca(2+)-synaptotagmin directly regulates t-SNARE function during reconstituted membrane fusion

In nerve terminals, exocytosis is mediated by SNARE proteins and regulated by Ca(2+) and synaptotagmin-1 (syt). Ca(2+) promotes the interaction of syt with anionic phospholipids and the target membrane SNAREs (t-SNAREs) SNAP-25 and syntaxin. Here, we have used a defined reconstituted fusion assay to determine directly whether syt-t-SNARE interactions couple Ca(2+) to membrane fusion by comparing the effects of Ca(2+)-syt on neuronal (SNAP-25, syntaxin and synaptobrevin) and yeast (Sso1p, Sec9c and Snc2p) SNAREs. Ca(2+)-syt aggregated neuronal and yeast SNARE liposomes to similar extents via interactions with anionic phospholipids. However, Ca(2+)-syt was able to bind and stimulate fusion mediated by only neuronal SNAREs and had no effect on yeast SNAREs. Thus, Ca(2+)-syt regulates fusion through direct interactions with t-SNAREs and not solely through aggregation of vesicles. Ca(2+)-syt drove assembly of SNAP-25 onto membrane-embedded syntaxin, providing direct evidence that Ca(2+)-syt alters t-SNARE structure.

Rab3 superprimes synaptic vesicles for release: implications for short-term synaptic plasticity

Presynaptic vesicle trafficking and priming are important steps in regulating synaptic transmission and plasticity. The four closely related small GTP-binding proteins Rab3A, Rab3B, Rab3C, and Rab3D are believed to be important for these steps. In mice, the complete absence of all Rab3s leads to perinatal lethality accompanied by a 30% reduction of probability of Ca2+-triggered synaptic release. This study examines the role of Rab3 during Ca2+-triggered release in more detail and identifies its impact on short-term plasticity. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology of autaptic neuronal cultures from Rab3-deficient mouse hippocampus, we show that excitatory Rab3-deficient neurons display unique time- and frequency-dependent short-term plasticity characteristics in response to spike trains. Analysis of vesicle release and repriming kinetics as well as Ca2+ sensitivity of release indicate that Rab3 acts on a subset of primed, fusion competent vesicles. They lower the amount of Ca2+ required for action potential-triggered release, which leads to a boosting of release probability, but their action also introduces a significant delay in the supply of these modified vesicles. As a result, Rab3-induced modifications to primed vesicles causes a transient increase in the transduction efficacy of synaptic action potential trains and optimizes the encoding of synaptic information at an intermediate spike frequency range.

Synaptic vesicle protein 2 enhances release probability at quiescent synapses

We report a thorough analysis of neurotransmission in cultured hippocampal neurons lacking synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2), a membrane glycoprotein present in all vesicles that undergo regulated secretion. We found that SV2 selectively enhances low-frequency neurotransmission by priming morphologically docked vesicles. Loss of SV2 reduced initial release probability during a train of action potentials but had no effect on steady-state responses. The amount and decay rate of asynchronous release, two measures sensitive to presynaptic calcium concentrations, are not altered in SV2 knock-outs, suggesting that SV2 does not act by modulating presynaptic calcium. Normal neurotransmission could be temporarily recovered by delivering an exhaustive stimulus train. Our results indicate that SV2 primes vesicles in quiescent neurons and that SV2 function can be bypassed by an activity-dependent priming mechanism. We propose that SV2 action modulates synaptic networks by ensuring that low-frequency neurotransmission is faithfully conveyed.

Synaptotagmin I and Ca(2+) promote half fusion more than full fusion in SNARE-mediated bilayer fusion

Synaptic membrane fusion, which is necessary for neurotransmitter release, may be mediated by SNAREs and regulated by synaptotagmin (Syt) and Ca(2+). Fusion of liposomes mediated by reconstituted SNAREs produces full fusion and hemifusion, a membrane structure in which outer leaflets are mixed but the inner leaflets remain intact. Here, using the liposome fusion assay, it is shown that Syt promoted both hemifusion and full fusion in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Syt.Ca(2+) increased hemifusion more than full fusion, modulating the ratio of hemifusion to full fusion. Unlike the case of neuronal SNAREs, stimulation of fusion by Syt.Ca(2+) was not seen for other SNAREs involved in trafficking in yeast, indicating that the Syt.Ca(2+) stimulation was SNARE-specific. We constructed hybrid SNAREs in which transmembrane domains were swapped between neuronal and yeast SNAREs. With these hybrid SNAREs, we demonstrated that the interaction between the SNARE motifs of neuronal proteins and Syt.Ca(2+) was required for the stimulation of fusion.

Synaptotagmin IV does not alter excitatory fast synaptic transmission or fusion pore kinetics in mammalian CNS neurons

Synaptotagmin IV (Syt IV) is a brain-specific isoform of the synaptotagmin family, the levels of which are strongly elevated after seizure activity. The dominant hypothesis of Syt IV function states that Syt IV upregulation is a neuroprotective mechanism for reducing neurotransmitter release. To test this hypothesis in mammalian CNS synapses, Syt IV was overexpressed in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons, and acute effects on fast excitatory neurotransmission were assessed. We found neurotransmission unaltered with respect to basal release probability, Ca2+ dependence of release, short-term plasticity, and fusion pore kinetics. In contrast, expression of a mutant Syt I with diminished Ca2+ affinity (R233Q) reduced release probability and altered the Ca2+ dependence of release, thus demonstrating the sensitivity of the system to changes in neurotransmission resulting from changes to the Ca2+ sensor. Together, these data refute the dominant model that Syt IV functions as an inhibitor of neurotransmitter release in mammalian neurons.

Different effects on fast exocytosis induced by synaptotagmin 1 and 2 isoforms and abundance but not by phosphorylation

Synaptotagmins comprise a large protein family, of which synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) is a Ca2+ sensor for fast exocytosis, and its close relative, synaptotagmin 2 (Syt2), is assumed to serve similar functions. Chromaffin cells express Syt1 but not Syt2. We compared secretion from chromaffin cells from Syt1 null mice overexpressing either Syt isoform. High time-resolution capacitance measurement showed that Syt1 null cells lack the exocytotic phase corresponding to the readily-releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles. Comparison with the amperometric signal confirmed that the missing phase of exocytosis consists of catecholamine-containing vesicles. Overexpression of Syt1 rescued the RRP and increased its size above wild-type values, whereas the size of the slowly releasable pool decreased, indicating that the availability of Syt1 regulates the relative size of the two releasable pools. The RRP was also rescued by Syt2 overexpression, but the kinetics of fusion was slightly slower than in cells expressing Syt1. Biochemical experiments showed that Syt2 has a slightly lower Ca2+ affinity for phospholipid binding than Syt1 because of a difference in the C2A domain. These data constitute evidence for the function of Syt1 and Syt2 as alternative, but not identical, calcium-sensors for RRP fusion. By overexpression of Syt1 mutated in the shared PKC/calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase phosphorylation site, we show that phorbol esters act independently and upstream of Syt1 to regulate the size of the releasable pools. We conclude that exocytosis from mouse chromaffin cells can be modified by the differential expression of Syt isoforms and by Syt abundance but not by phosphorylation of Syt1.

Syntillas release Ca2+ at a site different from the microdomain where exocytosis occurs in mouse chromaffin cells

Spontaneous, short-lived, focal cytosolic Ca2+ transients were found for the first time and characterized in freshly dissociated chromaffin cells from mouse. Produced by release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and mediated by type 2 and perhaps type 3 ryanodine receptors (RyRs), these transients are quantitatively similar in magnitude and duration to Ca2+ syntillas in terminals of hypothalamic neurons, suggesting that Ca2+ syntillas are found in a variety of excitable, exocytotic cells. However, unlike hypothalamic nerve terminals, chromaffin cells do not display syntilla activation by depolarization of the plasma membrane, nor do they have type 1 RyRs. It is widely thought that focal Ca2+ transients cause "spontaneous" exocytosis, although there is no direct evidence for this view. Hence, we monitored catecholamine release amperometrically while simultaneously imaging Ca2+ syntillas, the first such simultaneous measurements. Syntillas failed to produce exocytotic events; and, conversely, spontaneous exocytotic events were not preceded by syntillas. Therefore, we suggest that a spontaneous syntilla, at least in chromaffin cells, releases Ca2+ into a cytosolic microdomain distinct from the microdomains containing docked, primed vesicles. Ryanodine (100 microM) reduced the frequency of Ca2+ syntillas by an order of magnitude but did not alter the frequency of spontaneous amperometric events, suggesting that syntillas are not involved in steps preparatory to spontaneous exocytosis. Surprisingly, ryanodine also increased the total charge of individual amperometric events by 27%, indicating that intracellular Ca2+ stores can regulate quantal size.

DOC2A and DOC2B are sensors for neuronal activity with unique calcium-dependent and kinetic properties

Elevation of the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) to levels below 1 microm alters synaptic transmission and induces short-term plasticity. To identify calcium sensors involved in this signalling, we investigated soluble C2 domain-containing proteins and found that both DOC2A and DOC2B are modulated by submicromolar calcium levels. Fluorescent-tagged DOC2A and DOC2B translocated to plasma membranes after [Ca2+]i elevation. DOC2B translocation preceded DOC2A translocation in cells co-expressing both isoforms. Half-maximal translocation occurred at 450 and 175 nm[Ca2+]i for DOC2A and DOC2B, respectively. This large difference in calcium sensitivity was accompanied by a modest kinetic difference (halftimes, respectively, 2.6 and 2.0 s). The calcium sensitivity of DOC2 isoforms can be explained by predicted topologies of their C2A domains. Consistently, neutralization of aspartates D218 and D220 in DOC2B changed its calcium affinity. In neurones, both DOC2 isoforms were reversibly recruited to the plasma membrane during trains of action potentials. Consistent with its higher calcium sensitivity, DOC2B translocated at lower depolarization frequencies. Styryl dye uptake experiments in hippocampal neurones suggest that the overexpression of mutated DOC2B alters the synaptic activity. We conclude that both DOC2A and DOC2B are regulated by neuronal activity, and hypothesize that their calcium-dependent translocation may regulate synaptic activity.

Close membrane-membrane proximity induced by Ca2+-dependent multivalent binding of synaptotagmin-1 to phospholipids

Synaptotagmin acts as a Ca(2+) sensor in neurotransmitter release through its two C(2) domains. Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid binding is key for synaptotagmin function, but it is unclear how this activity cooperates with the SNARE complex involved in release or why Ca(2+) binding to the C(2)B domain is more crucial for release than Ca(2+) binding to the C(2)A domain. Here we show that Ca(2+) induces high-affinity simultaneous binding of synaptotagmin to two membranes, bringing them into close proximity. The synaptotagmin C(2)B domain is sufficient for this ability, which arises from the abundance of basic residues around its surface. We propose a model wherein synaptotagmin cooperates with the SNAREs in bringing the synaptic vesicle and plasma membranes together and accelerates membrane fusion through the highly positive electrostatic potential of its C(2)B domain.

Stable gene silencing of synaptotagmin I in rat PC12 cells inhibits Ca2+-evoked release of catecholamine

Synaptotagmin (syt) I is a Ca2+-binding protein that is well accepted as a major sensor for Ca2+-regulated release of transmitter. However, controversy remains as to whether syt I is the only protein that can function in this role and whether the remaining syt family members also function as Ca2+ sensors. In this study, we generated a PC12 cell line that continuously expresses a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to silence expression of syt I by RNA interference. Immunoblot and immunocytochemistry experiments demonstrate that expression of syt I was specifically silenced in cells that stably integrate the shRNA-syt I compared with control cells stably transfected with the empty shRNA vector. The other predominantly expressed syt isoform, syt IX, was not affected, nor was the expression of the SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) proteins when syt I levels were knocked down. Resting Ca2+ and stimulated Ca2+ influx imaged with fura-2 were not altered in syt I knockdown cells. However, evoked release of catecholamine detected by carbon fiber amperometry and HPLC was significantly reduced, although not abolished. Human syt I rescued the release events in the syt I knockdown cells. The reduction of stimulated catecholamine release in the syt I knockdown cells strongly suggests that although syt I is clearly involved in catecholamine release, it is not the only protein to regulate stimulated release in PC12 cells, and another protein likely has a role as a Ca2+ sensor for regulated release of transmitter.

Essential role of the LIM domain in the formation of the PKCɛ–ENH–N-type Ca2+ channel complex

A LIM domain is a specialized double-zinc finger motif found in a variety of proteins. LIM domains are thought to function as molecular modules, mediating specific protein-protein interactions in cellular signaling. In a recent study, we have demonstrated that ENH, which has three consecutive LIM domains, acts as an adaptor protein for the formation of a functional PKCepsilon-ENH-N-type Ca2+ channel complex in neurons. Formation of this complex selectively recruits PKCepsilon to its specific substrate, N-type Ca2+ channels, and is critical for rapid and efficient potentiation of the Ca2+ channel activity by PKC in neurons. However, it is not clear whether changes in the local Ca2+ concentrations near the channel mouth may affect the formation of the triprotein complex. Furthermore, the molecular determinants for the interactions among these three proteins remain unknown. Biochemical studies were performed to address these questions. Within the physiological Ca2+ concentration range (0-300 microM), binding of ENH to the channel C-terminus was significantly increased by Ca2+, whereas increased Ca2+ levels led to dissociation of PKCepsilon from ENH. Mutagenesis studies revealed that the second LIM domain in ENH was primarily responsible for Ca2+-dependent binding of ENH to both the Ca2+ channel C-terminus and PKCepsilon. ENH existed as a dimer in vivo. PKCepsilon translocation inhibition peptide, which blocks the translocation of PKCepsilon from the cytosol to the membrane, inhibited the interaction between PKCepsilon and ENH. These results provide a molecular mechanism for how the PKCepsilon-ENH-N-type Ca2+ channel complex is formed and regulated, as well as potential drug targets to selectively disrupt the PKC signaling complex.

Autonomous function of synaptotagmin 1 in triggering synchronous release independent of asynchronous release

Ca(2+) triggers neurotransmitter release in at least two principal modes, synchronous and asynchronous release. Synaptotagmin 1 functions as a Ca(2+) sensor for synchronous release, but its role in asynchronous release remains unclear. We now show that in cultured cortical neurons stimulated at low frequency (<or.1 Hz), deletion of synaptotagmin 1 blocks synchronous GABA and glutamate release without significantly increasing asynchronous release. At higher stimulation frequencies (>or Hz), deletion of synaptotagmin 1 also alters only synchronous, not asynchronous, release during the stimulus train, but dramatically enhances "delayed asynchronous release" following the stimulus train. Thus synaptotagmin 1 functions as an autonomous Ca(2+) sensor independent of asynchronous release during isolated action potentials and action potential trains, but restricts asynchronous release induced by residual Ca(2+) after action potential trains. We propose that synaptotagmin 1 occupies release "slots" at the active zone, possibly in a Ca(2+)-independent complex with SNARE proteins that are freed when action potential-induced Ca(2+) influx activates synaptotagmin 1.

Functions of SNAREs in intracellular membrane fusion and lipid bilayer mixing

Intracellular membrane fusion occurs with exquisite coordination and specificity. Each fusion event requires three basic components: Rab-GTPases organize the fusion site; SNARE proteins act during fusion; and N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) plus its cofactor alpha-SNAP are required for recycling or activation of the fusion machinery. Whereas Rab-GTPases seem to mediate the initial membrane contact, SNAREs appear to lie at the center of the fusion process. It is known that formation of complexes between SNAREs from apposed membranes is a prerequisite for lipid bilayer mixing; however, the biophysics and many details of SNARE function are still vague. Nevertheless, recent observations are shedding light on the role of SNAREs in membrane fusion. Structural studies are revealing the mechanisms by which SNARES form complexes and interact with other proteins. Furthermore, it is now apparent that the SNARE transmembrane segment not only anchors the protein but engages in SNARE-SNARE interactions and plays an active role in fusion. Recent work indicates that the fusion process itself may comprise two stages and proceed via a hemifusion intermediate.

Augmenting neurotransmitter release by enhancing the apparent Ca2+ affinity of synaptotagmin 1

Synaptotagmin 1 likely acts as a Ca2+ sensor in neurotransmitter release by Ca2+-binding to its two C2 domains. This notion was strongly supported by the observation that a mutation in the C2A domain causes parallel decreases in the apparent Ca2+ affinity of synaptotagmin 1 and in the Ca2+ sensitivity of release. However, this study was based on a single loss-of-function mutation. We now show that tryptophan substitutions in the synaptotagmin 1 C2 domains act as gain-of-function mutations to increase the apparent Ca2+ affinity of synaptotagmin 1. The same substitutions, when introduced into synaptotagmin 1 expressed in neurons, enhance the Ca2+ sensitivity of release. Mutations in the two C2 domains lead to comparable and additive effects in release. Our results thus show that the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of release is dictated by the apparent Ca2+ affinity of synaptotagmin 1 in both directions, and that Ca2+ binding to both C2 domains contributes to Ca2+ triggering of release.

Synaptotagmin-Ca2+ triggers two sequential steps in regulated exocytosis in rat PC12 cells: fusion pore opening and fusion pore dilation

Synaptotagmin I (Syt I), the putative Ca(2+) sensor in regulated exocytosis, has two Ca(2+)-binding modules, the C2A and C2B domains, and a number of putative effectors to which Syt I binds in a Ca(2+)-dependent fashion. The role of Ca(2+) binding to these domains remains unclear, as efforts to address questions about Ca(2+)-triggered effector interactions have led to conflicting results. We have studied the effects of Ca(2+) on fusion pores using amperometry to follow the exocytosis of single vesicles in real time and analyse the kinetics of fusion pore transitions. Elevating [Ca(2+)] in permeabilized cells reduced the fusion pore lifetime, indicating an action of Ca(2+) during the actual fusion process. Analysing the Ca(2+) dependence of the fusion pore lifetime, together with the frequency of pore openings and the proportion of openings that close without dilating (kiss-and-run events) enabled us to resolve exocytosis into a sequence of kinetic steps representing functional transitions in the fusion pore. Fusion pore opening and dilation were both accelerated by Ca(2+), indicating separate Ca(2+) control over each of these steps. Ca(2+) ligand mutations in either the C2A or C2B domains of Syt I reduced fusion pore opening, but had opposite actions on the rate of fusion pore closure. These studies resolve two separate and distinct Ca(2+)-triggered steps during regulated exocytosis. The C2A and C2B domains of Syt I have different actions during these steps, and these actions may be linked to their distinctive effector interactions.

Normal myoblast fusion requires myoferlin

Muscle growth occurs during embryonic development and continues in adult life as regeneration. During embryonic muscle growth and regeneration in mature muscle, singly nucleated myoblasts fuse to each other to form myotubes. In muscle growth, singly nucleated myoblasts can also fuse to existing large, syncytial myofibers as a mechanism of increasing muscle mass without increasing myofiber number. Myoblast fusion requires the alignment and fusion of two apposed lipid bilayers. The repair of muscle plasma membrane disruptions also relies on the fusion of two apposed lipid bilayers. The protein dysferlin, the product of the Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type 2 locus, has been shown to be necessary for efficient, calcium-sensitive, membrane resealing. We now show that the related protein myoferlin is highly expressed in myoblasts undergoing fusion, and is expressed at the site of myoblasts fusing to myotubes. Like dysferlin, we found that myoferlin binds phospholipids in a calcium-sensitive manner that requires the first C2A domain. We generated mice with a null allele of myoferlin. Myoferlin null myoblasts undergo initial fusion events, but they form large myotubes less efficiently in vitro, consistent with a defect in a later stage of myogenesis. In vivo, myoferlin null mice have smaller muscles than controls do, and myoferlin null muscle lacks large diameter myofibers. Additionally, myoferlin null muscle does not regenerate as well as wild-type muscle does, and instead displays a dystrophic phenotype. These data support a role for myoferlin in the maturation of myotubes and the formation of large myotubes that arise from the fusion of myoblasts to multinucleate myotubes.

DNA pooling analysis of ADHD and genes regulating vesicle release of neurotransmitters

ADHD is one of the most prevalent, and heritable behavioural disorders in childhood. Genetic associations have been reported with polymorphic variants within or near to dopamine pathway genes. Recently snap-25 has also shown association with ADHD in several datasets. We therefore investigated other genes that produce proteins that interact with SNAP-25 in the mechanism of vesicular release of neurotransmitters at the synapse. A total of 106 SNPs were screened for minor allele frequency greater than 5% and 61 SNPs selected for analysis in DNA pools made up from an ADHD clinical sample of DSM-IV combined type probands (n = 180) and a control sample of 90 males and 90 females. Initial screening identified several SNPs that showed allele frequency differences of 5% or more. One SNP in the synaptophysin gene showed suggestive evidence of association following case-control and TDT analysis and warrants further investigation.

Identification of the minimal protein domain required for priming activity of Munc13-1

Most nerve cells communicate with each other through synaptic transmission at chemical synapses. The regulated exocytosis of neurotransmitters, hormones, and peptides occurs at specialized membrane areas through Ca2+-triggered fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane . Prior to fusion, vesicles are docked at the plasma membrane and must then be rendered fusion-competent through a process called priming. The molecular mechanism underlying this priming process is most likely the formation of the SNARE complex consisting of Syntaxin 1, SNAP-25, and Synaptobrevin 2. Members of the Munc13 protein family consisting of Munc13-1, -2, -3, and -4 were found to be absolutely required for this priming process . In the present study, we identified the minimal Munc13-1 domain that is responsible for its priming activity. Using Munc13-1 deletion constructs in an electrophysiological gain-of-function assay of chromaffin-granule secretion, we show that priming activity is mediated by the C-terminal residues 1100-1735 of Munc13-1, which contains both Munc13-homology domains and the C-terminal C2 domain. Priming by Munc13-1 appears to require its interaction with Syntaxin 1 because point mutants that do not bind Syntaxin 1 do not prime chromaffin granules.

Conserved prefusion protein assembly in regulated exocytosis

The regulated release of hormones and neurotransmitters is a fundamental process throughout the animal kingdom. The short time scale for the calcium triggering of vesicle fusion in regulated secretion suggests that the calcium sensor synaptotagmin and the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) membrane fusion machinery are well ordered before the calcium signal. To gain insight into the organization of the prefusion protein assembly in regulated exocytosis, we undertook a structural/functional study of the vesicular synaptotagmin1 and the plasma membrane SNARE proteins, which copurify from the brain in the absence of calcium. Based on an evolutionary analysis, mutagenesis screens, and a computational protein docking approach, we now provide the first testable description of the supramolecular prefusion assembly. Perturbing the determined synaptotagmin/SNARE-interacting interface in several models of regulated exocytosis altered the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters. These mutations also disrupted the constitutive synaptotagmin/SNARE link in full agreement with our model. We conclude that the interaction of synaptotagmin with preassembled plasma membrane SNARE proteins, before the action of calcium, can provide a precisely organized "tethering" scaffold that underlies regulated secretion throughout evolution.

New insights into clostridial neurotoxin-SNARE interactions

Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) has achieved a dichotomous status in modern medicine; it is both a versatile treatment for several neurological disorders and a lethal poison responsible for causing the neuroparalytic syndrome botulism. The extent of paralysis largely depends on the dosage of toxin received. The toxins block neurotransmitter release by delivering their Zn(2+)-dependent protease components to the presynaptic side of chemical synapses. These highly specialized enzymes exclusively hydrolyze peptide bonds within SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleiamide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) proteins. Recently, the structural basis for the highly specific interaction between BoNT/A and its target SNARE, SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein of 25kDa), was elucidated. New details regarding the nature of the toxin-SNARE interactions could be exploited for novel inhibitor design.

Gene targeting of presynaptic proteins in synaptic plasticity and memory: across the great divide

The past few decades have seen an explosion in our understanding of the molecular basis of learning and memory. The majority of these studies in mammals focused on post-synaptic signal transduction cascades involved in post-synaptic long-lasting plasticity. Until recently, relatively little work examined the role of presynaptic proteins in learning and memory in complex systems. The synaptic cleft figuratively represents a "great divide" between our knowledge of post- versus presynaptic involvement in learning and memory. While great strides have been made in our understanding of presynaptic proteins, we know very little of how presynaptically expressed forms of short- and long-term plasticity participate in information processing and storage. The paucity of cognitive behavioral research in the area of presynaptic proteins, however, is in stark contrast to the plethora of information concerning presynaptic protein involvement in neurotransmitter release, in modulation of release, and in both short- and long-term forms of presynaptic plasticity. It is now of great interest to begin to link the extensive literature on presynaptic proteins and presynaptic plasticity to cognitive behavior. In the future there is great promise with these approaches for identifying new targets in the treatment of cognitive disorders. This review article briefly surveys current knowledge on the role of presynaptic proteins in learning and memory in mammals and suggests future directions in learning and memory research on the presynaptic rim of the "great divide."

External Ca2+ dependency of synaptic transmission in drosophila synaptotagmin I mutants

To resolve some of differences in reports on the function of Synaptotagmin I (Syt I), we re-examined synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction of Drosophila embryos that have mutations in the Syt I gene (syt I). Two major questions addressed were which Ca2+ binding domain, C2A or C2B, sense Ca2+ and is Syt I a negative regulator of spontaneous vesicle fusion. Synaptic currents were induced by nerve stimulation or by high K+ treatment in external solutions containing various Ca2+ concentrations. In a null allele, syt I(AD4), synchronous synaptic currents were rarely observed but not abolished. The quantal content was about 1/60 of control but increased linearly with [Ca2+](e) with a slope of 0.95 (N) in the double logarithmic plot, in contrast to 3.01 in control. The slope of 1.06 in an allele, syt I(AD1), which lacks the second Ca2+ binding domain, C2B, was not different from in syt I(AD4). In another allele, syt I(AD3), in which one amino acid in C2B is mutated, synchronous synaptic transmission was also impaired and N was 1.54, which is significantly smaller than in control. In high K+ saline, the [Ca2+](e) dependency of vesicle release in syt I(AD4) was lower than in controls, whereas that in syt I(AD3) was even lower than in syt I(AD4), suggesting that syt I(AD3) is inhibiting vesicle fusion. These findings led us to conclude that C2B, not C2A, senses Ca2+, and Syt I is a negative regulator of vesicle fusion.

Long-term in vivo modulation of synaptic efficacy at the neuromuscular junction of Rana pipiens frogs

Prolonged changes in motor neurone activity can result in long-term changes in synaptic transmission. We investigated whether mechanisms commonly thought to be involved in determining synaptic efficacy of vertebrate motor neurones are involved in these long-term changes. The nerve supplying the cutaneous pectoris muscle was chronically stimulated via skin surface electrodes in freely moving frogs for 5-7 days. Chronic stimulation induced a 50% reduction in evoked endplate potential (EPP) amplitude at stimulated neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). These changes appear to be presynaptic since miniature EPP (mEPP) amplitude was unchanged while mEPP frequency was decreased by 46% and paired-pulse facilitation was increased by 26%. High frequency facilitation (40 Hz, 2 s) was also increased by 89%. Moreover, stimulated NMJs presented a 92% decrease in synaptic depression (40 Hz, 2 s). An increase in mitochondrial metabolism was observed as indicated by a more pronounced labelling of active mitochondria (Mitotracker) in stimulated nerve terminals, which could account for their greater resistance to synaptic depression. NMJ length visualized by alpha-bungarotoxin staining of nAChRs was not affected. Presynaptic calcium signals measured with Calcium Green-1 were larger in stimulated NMJs at low frequency (0.2 Hz) and not different from control NMJs at higher frequency (40 Hz, 2 s and 30 s). These results suggest that some mechanisms downstream of calcium entry are responsible for the determination of synaptic output, such as a down-regulation of some calcium-binding proteins, which could explain the observed results. The possibility of a change in frequenin expression, a calcium-binding protein that is more prominently expressed in phasic synapses, was, however, refuted by our results.

Synaptotagmin isoforms couple distinct ranges of Ca2+, Ba2+, and Sr2+ concentration to SNARE-mediated membrane fusion

Ca2+-triggered exocytosis of synaptic vesicles is controlled by the Ca2+-binding protein synaptotagmin (syt) I. Fifteen additional isoforms of syt have been identified. Here, we compared the abilities of three syt isoforms (I, VII, and IX) to regulate soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE)-mediated membrane fusion in vitro in response to divalent cations. We found that different isoforms of syt couple distinct ranges of Ca2+, Ba2+, and Sr2+ to membrane fusion; syt VII was approximately 400-fold more sensitive to Ca2+ than was syt I. Omission of phosphatidylserine (PS) from both populations of liposomes completely abrogated the ability of all three isoforms of syt to stimulate fusion. Mutations that selectively inhibit syt.target-SNARE (t-SNARE) interactions reduced syt stimulation of fusion. Using Sr2+ and Ba2+, we found that binding of syt to PS and t-SNAREs can be dissociated from activation of fusion, uncovering posteffector-binding functions for syt. Our data demonstrate that different syt isoforms are specialized to sense different ranges of divalent cations and that PS is an essential effector of Ca2+.syt action.

Amisyn regulates exocytosis and fusion pore stability by both syntaxin-dependent and syntaxin-independent mechanisms

Amisyn and tomosyn are related by the possession of a C-terminal vesicle-associated membrane protein-like domain that allows them to bind to syntaxin 1 and assemble into SNARE complexes. The formation of inactive complexes may sequester syntaxin and allow tomosyn and amisyn to act as inhibitors of exocytosis. We aimed to use adrenal chromaffin and PC12 cells to probe this possible mode of action of amisyn and tomosyn in dense core granule exocytosis. Although tomosyn is expressed by adrenal chromaffin and PC12 cells, amisyn expression could not be detected allowing examination of the effect of introduction of amisyn expression onto a neuronal-like background. Overexpression of m-tomosyn1 and expression of amisyn both inhibited Ca2+-induced exocytosis in transfected PC12 cells. Surprisingly, this inhibition was not removed when amisyn and tomosyn constructs were used in which key residues required for efficient binding to syntaxin1 were mutated. The effect of amisyn was further characterized using carbon fiber amperometry in chromaffin cells. Expression of amisyn had no effect on the basic characteristics of the amperometric spikes but reduced the number of spikes elicited. This inhibitory action on the extent of exocytosis was also seen with the amisyn mutant deficient in syntaxin1 binding. In addition, expression of amisyn resulted in an increase in the lifetime of the prespike foot, and this effect was abolished by the mutations. These results show that tomosyn and amisyn can negatively regulate exocytosis independently of syntaxin and also that amisyn can regulate the stability of the fusion pore.

Effects of synaptotagmin reveal two distinct mechanisms of agonist-stimulated internalization of the M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

1. Synaptotagmin has been reported to function in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Here, we investigated its involvement in agonist-stimulated internalization of M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors exogenously expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293 tsA201) cells. 2. Synaptotagmin I was present at low levels in these cells, and when overexpressed resided at the plasma membrane. 3. Synaptotagmin overexpression alone did not affect receptor internalization, but 'rescued' internalization that had been inhibited by either dominant-negative dynamin-1 or dominant-negative arrestin-2. Both normal and 'rescued' internalization were sensitive to inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, but not to inhibitors of the function of caveolae. 4. There was no increase in AP-2 recruitment to the plasma membrane in cells overexpressing synaptotagmin. However, a mutant form of the receptor lacking a potential AP-2 recruitment motif, while being internalized normally in response to agonist stimulation, was not rescued by synaptotagmin in cells expressing dominant-negative dynamin or arrestin. 5. A mutant form of synaptotagmin (K326,327A), which binds phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) much more weakly than the wild-type protein, did not rescue internalization. Furthermore, internalization was inhibited by the PH domain of phospholipase C-delta1, which sequesters PIP2, and synaptotagmin was now unable to rescue. 6. We propose that AP-2 binding to the C-terminal tail of the receptor is not normally required for its endocytosis, but that the synaptotagmin-mediated rescue involves the formation of a ternary complex with the receptor and AP-2. PIP2 might play a role as an intermediary in the formation of this complex.

Volatile anaesthetic effects on phospholipid binding to synaptotagmin 1, a presynaptic Ca2+ sensor

BACKGROUND

Volatile anaesthetics have important effects on synaptic transmission in the CNS. Depression of excitatory transmission involves reduced transmitter release via unidentified presynaptic mechanisms. Synaptotagmin 1 is a synaptic vesicle-associated protein that regulates Ca(2+)-evoked transmitter release involving critical Ca(2+)/phospholipid interactions within its C2 domains.

METHODS

We analysed the effects of halothane and isoflurane on the binding of purified recombinant rat synaptotagmin 1 C2A, C2B and C2AB domains to radiolabelled phospholipid liposomes.

RESULTS

Halothane and isoflurane had no significant effects on the maximal binding or Ca(2+) dependence of binding of synaptotagmin 1 C2 domains to mixed phospholipid vesicles composed of either phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylinositol/phosphatidylcholine.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of synaptic vesicle exocytosis by volatile anaesthetics does not appear to involve an effect on the critical Ca(2+)/phospholipid binding properties of synaptotagmin 1, a Ca(2+) sensor involved in regulating evoked Ca(2+)-dependent neurotransmitter release.

Expression profiling with progression of dystrophic change in dysferlin-deficient mice (SJL)

The SJL mouse is a model for human dysferlinopathy (limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B and Miyoshi myopathy). We used cDNA microarrays to compare the expression profiles of 10,012 genes in control and SJL quadriceps femoris muscles in order to find genes involved in the degeneration and regeneration process and in dysferlin's functional network. Many genes involved in the process of muscle regeneration are observed to be up-regulated in SJL mice, including cardiac ankyrin repeated protein (CARP), Neuraminidase 2, interleukin-6, insulin-like growth factor-2 and osteopontin. We found the upregulation of S100 calcium binding proteins, neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated gene 4-like (NEDD4L) with C2 domain, and intracellular protein traffic associated proteins (Rab6 and Rab2). These proteins have the potential to interact with dysferlin. We must reveal some other molecules which may work with dysferlin in order to clarify the pathological network of dysferlinopathy. This process may lead to future improvements in the therapy for human dysferlinopathy.

Impaired synapse function during postnatal development in the absence of CALEB, an EGF-like protein processed by neuronal activity

In an attempt to characterize the molecular components by which electric activity influences the development of synapses, we searched for cell surface proteins modulated by calcium influx and glutamate receptor activity. Here, we report that neuronal depolarization facilitates the conversion of CALEB, which results in a truncated transmembrane form with an exposed EGF domain. To characterize the role of CALEB in synapse development, synaptic features were investigated in slices of the colliculus superior from CALEB-deficient mice. In the absence of CALEB, the number of synapses and their morphological characteristics remained unchanged. However, in CALEB-deficient mice, synapses displayed higher paired-pulse ratios, less depression during prolonged repetitive activation, a lower rate of spontaneous postsynaptic currents, and a lower release probability at early but not mature postnatal stages. Our findings indicate that CALEB provides a molecular basis for maintaining normal release probability at early developmental stages.

AP180 maintains the distribution of synaptic and vesicle proteins in the nerve terminal and indirectly regulates the efficacy of Ca2+-triggered exocytosis

AP180 plays an important role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis of synaptic vesicles (SVs) and has also been implicated in retrieving SV proteins. In Drosophila, deletion of its homologue, Like-AP180 (LAP), has been shown to increase the size of SVs but decrease the number of SVs and transmitter release. However, it remains elusive whether a reduction in the total vesicle pool directly affects transmitter release. Further, it is unknown whether the lap mutation also affects vesicle protein retrieval and synaptic protein localization and, if so, how it might affect exocytosis. Using a combination of electrophysiology, optical imaging, electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry, we have further characterized the lap mutant and hereby show that LAP plays additional roles in maintaining both normal synaptic transmission and protein distribution at synapses. While increasing the rate of spontaneous vesicle fusion, the lap mutation dramatically reduces impulse-evoked transmitter release at steps downstream of calcium entry and vesicle docking. Notably, lap mutations disrupt calcium coupling to exocytosis and reduce calcium cooperativity. These results suggest a primary defect in calcium sensors on the vesicles or on the release machinery. Consistent with this hypothesis, three vesicle proteins critical for calcium-mediated exocytosis, synaptotagmin I, cysteine-string protein, and neuronal synaptobrevin, are all mislocalized to the extrasynaptic axonal regions along with Dap160, an active zone marker (nc82), and glutamate receptors in the mutant. These results suggest that AP180 is required for either recycling vesicle proteins and/or maintaining the distribution of both vesicle and synaptic proteins in the nerve terminal.

Modulation of neurotransmitter release by the second messenger-activated protein kinases: implications for presynaptic plasticity

Activity-dependent modulation of synaptic function and structure is emerging as one of the key mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity. Whereas over the past decade considerable progress has been made in identifying postsynaptic mechanisms for synaptic plasticity, the presynaptic mechanisms involved have remained largely elusive. Recent evidence implicates that second messenger regulation of the protein interactions in synaptic vesicle release machinery is one mechanism by which cellular events modulate synaptic transmission. Thus, identifying protein kinases and their targets in nerve terminals, particularly those functionally regulated by synaptic activity or intracellular [Ca2+], is critical to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying modulation of neurotransmitter release and presynaptic plasticity. The phosphorylation and dephosphorylation states of synaptic proteins that mediate vesicle exocytosis could regulate the biochemical pathways leading from synaptic vesicle docking to fusion. However, functional evaluation of the activity-dependent phosphorylation events for modulating presynaptic functions still represents a considerable challenge. Here, we present a brief overview of the data on the newly identified candidate targets of the second messenger-activated protein kinases in the presynaptic release machinery and discuss the potential impact of these phosphorylation events in synaptic strength and presynaptic plasticity.

Correlation of non-uniform protein expression with variation in transmitter release probability

The strength of synaptic transmission is highly variable between different synapses. The present study examined some factors that may contribute to this variation in the strength of neurotransmission in sympathetic varicosities of the mouse vas deferens. Transmitter release was measured using a focal macropatch electrode placed over pairs of visualised varicosities. By regulating the calcium concentration of the solutions inside the recording electrode and in the bath independently of each other, transmitter release was restricted to one or two surface varicosities at each recording site. Using this technique, transmitter release probability was shown to be highly variable, even between adjacent varicosities on single axon branches. Very little variation was observed in the calcium influx following single impulse nerve stimulation between adjacent Oregon Green BAPTA-1 loaded varicosities. However, the staining intensities of three vesicular proteins, SV2, synaptophysin, and synaptotagmin 1, showed considerable variation between adjacent varicosities on single axon branches. This variation in staining intensity may be partly explained by variation in the density of synaptic vesicles. However, double staining experiments using two vesicular antigens showed some varicosities staining for one vesicular antigen, but not for the second, suggesting that the expression of these release machinery proteins is regulated locally within the varicosities. The results of the present study strengthen suggestions that synaptic strength is at least in part, regulated by variation in the expression of vesicular proteins.

SNAREs and traffic

SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) are now generally accepted to be the major players in the final stage of the docking and the subsequent fusion of diverse vesicle-mediated transport events. The SNARE-mediated process is conserved evolutionally from yeast to human, as well as mechanistically and structurally across different transport events in eukaryotic cells. In the post-genomic era, a fairly complete list of "all" SNAREs in several organisms (including human) can now be made. This review aims to summarize the key properties and the mechanism of action of SNAREs in mammalian cells.

Single-molecule studies of synaptotagmin and complexin binding to the SNARE complex

The assembly of multiprotein complexes at the membrane interface governs many signaling processes in cells. However, very few methods exist for obtaining biophysical information about protein complex formation at the membrane. We used single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer to study complexin and synaptotagmin interactions with the SNARE complex in deposited lipid bilayers. Using total internal reflectance microscopy, individual binding events at the membrane could be resolved despite an excess of unbound protein in solution. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-efficiency derived distances for the complexin-SNARE interaction were consistent with the crystal structure of the complexin-SNARE complex. The unstructured N-terminal region of complexin showed broad distributions of FRET efficiencies to the SNARE complex, suggesting that information on conformational variability can be obtained from FRET efficiency distributions. The low-affinity interaction of synaptotagmin with the SNARE complex changed dramatically upon addition of Ca2+ with high FRET efficiency interactions appearing between the C2B domain and linker domains of synaptotagmin and the membrane proximal portion of the SNARE complex. These results demonstrate that single molecule FRET can be used as a "spectroscopic ruler" to simultaneously gain structural and kinetic information about transient multiprotein complexes at the membrane interface.

A complete genetic analysis of neuronal Rab3 function

Rab3A, Rab3B, Rab3C, and Rab3D are closely related GTP-binding proteins of synaptic vesicles that may function in neurotransmitter release. We have produced knock-out (KO) mice for Rab3B and Rab3C and crossed them with previously generated Rab3A and 3D knock-out mice to generate double, triple, and quadruple Rab3 knock-out mice. We have found that all single and double Rab3 knock-out mice are viable and fertile. Most triple Rab3 knock-out mice perish whenever Rab3A is one of the three deleted proteins, whereas all triple knock-out mice that express Rab3A are viable and fertile. Finally, all quadruple knock-out mice die shortly after birth. Quadruple Rab3 KO mice initially develop normally and are born alive but succumb to respiratory failure. Rab3-deficient mice display no apparent changes in synapse structure or brain composition except for a loss of rabphilin, a Rab3-binding protein. Analysis of cultured hippocampal neurons from quadruple knock-out mice uncovered no significant change in spontaneous or sucrose-evoked release but an approximately 30% decrease in evoked responses. This decrease was caused by a decline in the synaptic and the vesicular release probabilities, suggesting that Rab3 proteins are essential for the normal regulation of Ca2+-triggered synaptic vesicle exocytosis but not for synaptic vesicle exocytosis as such. Our data show that Rab3 is required for survival in mice and that the four Rab3 proteins are functionally redundant in this role. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that Rab3 is not in itself essential for synaptic membrane traffic but functions to modulate the basic release machinery.

Calcium influx through presynaptic 5-HT3 receptors facilitates GABA release in the hippocampus: in vitro slice and synaptosome studies

Serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptors (5HT3R) are Ca2+-permeant, non-selective cation channels that have been localized to presynaptic terminals and demonstrated to modulate neurotransmitter release. In the present study the effect of 5-HT on GABA release in the hippocampus was characterized using both electrophysiological and biochemical techniques. 5-HT elicited a burst-like, 6- to 10-fold increase in the frequency of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) measured with whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings of CA1 neurons in hippocampal slices. When tetrodotoxin was used to block action potential propagation, the 5-HT-induced burst of IPSCs was still observed. Stimulation of hippocampal synaptosomes with 5-HT resulted in a significant increase in the amount of [3H]GABA released by hyperosmotic saline. In both preparations, the 5-HT effect was shown to be mediated by 5HT3Rs, as it was mimicked by the selective 5HT3R agonist m-chlorophenyl biguanide and blocked by the selective 5HT3R antagonist 3-tropanylindole-3-carboxylate hydrochloride. The 5HT3R-mediated increase in GABA release was blocked by 100 microM cadmium or by omitting Ca2+ in external solutions, indicating the Ca2+-dependence of the effect. The high voltage-activated Ca2+ channel blockers omega-conotoxin GVIA and omega-conotoxin MVIIC and 10 microM cadmium had no significant effect on the 5-HT3R-mediated enhancement of GABA release, indicating that Ca2+ influx through the 5-HT3R facilitates GABA release. Taken together, these data provide direct evidence that Ca2+ entry via presynaptic 5HT3Rs facilitates the release of GABA from hippocampal interneurons.

Control of synaptic strength and timing by the release-site Ca2+ signal

Transmitter release is triggered by highly localized, transient increases in the presynaptic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]). Rapidly decaying [Ca(2+)] elevations were generated using Ca(2+) uncaging techniques, and [Ca(2+)] was measured with a low-affinity Ca(2+) indicator in a giant presynaptic terminal, the calyx of Held, in rat brain slices. The rise time and amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) depended on the half-width of the fluorescence transient, which was predicted by a five-binding site model of a Ca(2+) sensor having relatively high affinity (K(d) approximately 13 microM). Very fast [Ca(2+)] transients (half-width <0.5 ms) evoked EPSCs similar to those elicited by a single action potential (AP) in the same synapse. Triggering release with dual [Ca(2+)] transients of variable amplitudes demonstrated the supralinear transfer function of the sensor. The sensitivity of release to the time course of the [Ca(2+)] transient may contribute to mechanisms by which the presynaptic AP waveform controls synaptic strength.

Are Neuronal SNARE Proteins Ca2+ Sensors?

The neuronal SNARE complex formed by synaptobrevin, syntaxin and SNAP-25 plays a central role in Ca2+-triggered neurotransmitter release. The SNARE complex contains several potential Ca2+-binding sites on the surface, suggesting that the SNAREs may be involved directly in Ca2+-binding during release. Indeed, overexpression of SNAP-25 bearing mutations in two putative Ca2+ ligands (E170A/Q177A) causes a decrease in the Ca2+-cooperativity of exocytosis in chromaffin cells. To test whether the SNARE complex might function in Ca2+-sensing, we analyzed its Ca2+-binding properties using transverse relaxation optimized spectroscopy (TROSY)-based NMR methods. Several Ca2+-binding sites are found on the surface of the SNARE complex, but most of them are not specific for Ca2+ and all have very low affinity. Moreover, we find that the E170A/Q177A SNAP-25 mutation does not alter interactions between the SNAREs and the Ca2+ sensor synaptotagmin 1, but severely impairs SNARE complex assembly. These results suggest that the SNAREs do not act directly as Ca2+ receptors but SNARE complex assembly is coupled tightly to Ca2+-sensing during neurotransmitter release.

Active zones for presynaptic plasticity in the brain

Some of the most abundant synapses in the brain such as the synapses formed by the hippocampal mossy fibers, cerebellar parallel fibers and several types of cortical afferents express presynaptic forms of long-term potentiation (LTP), a putative cellular model for spatial, motor and fear learning. Those synapses often display presynaptic mechanisms of LTP induction, which are either NMDA receptor independent of dependent of presynaptic NMDA receptors. Recent investigations on the molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release modulation in short- and long-term synaptic plasticity in central synapses give a preponderant role to active zone proteins as Munc-13 and RIM1-alpha, and point toward the maturation process of synaptic vesicles prior to Ca(2+)-dependent fusion as a key regulatory step of presynaptic plasticity.

Intramolecular Occlusion of the Diacylglycerol-Binding Site in the C1 Domain of Munc13-1,

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes and other receptors of diacylglycerol (DAG) bind to this widespread second messenger through their C(1) domains. These alternative DAG receptors include munc13-1, a large neuronal protein that is crucial for DAG-dependent augmentation of neurotransmitter release. Whereas the structures of several PKC C(1) domains have been determined and have been shown to require little conformational changes for ligand binding, it is unclear whether the C(1) domains from other DAG receptors contain specific structural features with key functional significance. To gain insight into this question, we have determined the three-dimensional structure in solution of the munc13-1 C(1) domain using NMR spectroscopy. The overall structure includes two beta-sheets, a short C-terminal alpha-helix, and two Zn(2+)-binding sites, resembling the structures of PKC C(1) domains. However, the munc13-1 C(1) domain exhibits striking structural differences with the PKC C(1) domains in the ligand-binding site. These differences result in occlusion of the binding site of the munc13-1 C(1) domain by a conserved tryptophan side chain that in PKCs adopts a completely different orientation. As a consequence, the munc13-1 C(1) domain requires a considerable conformational change for ligand binding. This structural distinction is expected to decrease the DAG affinity of munc13-1 compared to that of PKCs, and is likely to be critical for munc13-1 function. On the basis of these results, we propose that augmentation of neurotransmitter release may be activated at higher DAG levels than PKCs as a potential mechanism for uncoupling augmentation of release from the multitude of other signaling processes mediated by DAG.

Guiding neuronal growth cones using Ca2+ signals

Pathfinding by growing axons in the developing or regenerating nervous system is guided by gradients of molecular guidance cues. The neuronal growth cone, located at the ends of axons, uses surface receptors to sense these cues and to transduce guidance information to cellular machinery that mediates growth and turning responses. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals have key roles in regulating this motility. Global growth cone Ca2+ signals can regulate cytoskeletal elements and membrane dynamics to control elongation, whereas Ca2+ signals localized to one side of the growth cone can cause asymmetric activation of effector enzymes to steer the growth cone. Modulating Ca2+ levels in the growth cone might overcome inhibitory signals that normally prevent regeneration in the central nervous system.