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Lamanna J, Gloria G, Villa A, Malgaroli A. Anomalous diffusion of synaptic vesicles and its influences on spontaneous and evoked neurotransmission. J Physiol 2024; 602:2873-2898. [PMID: 38723211 DOI: 10.1113/jp284926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurons in the central nervous system communicate with each other by activating billions of tiny synaptic boutons distributed along their fine axons. These presynaptic varicosities are very crowded environments, comprising hundreds of synaptic vesicles. Only a fraction of these vesicles can be recruited in a single release episode, either spontaneous or evoked by action potentials. Since the seminal work by Fatt and Katz, spontaneous release has been modelled as a memoryless process. Nevertheless, at central synapses, experimental evidence indicates more complex features, including non-exponential distributions of release intervals and power-law behaviour in their rate. To describe these features, we developed a probabilistic model of spontaneous release based on Brownian motion of synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic environment. To account for different diffusion regimes, we based our simulations on fractional Brownian motion. We show that this model can predict both deviation from the Poisson hypothesis and power-law features in experimental quantal release series, thus suggesting that the vesicular motion by diffusion could per se explain the emergence of these properties. We demonstrate the efficacy of our modelling approach using electrophysiological recordings at single synaptic boutons and ultrastructural data. When this approach was used to simulate evoked responses, we found that the replenishment of the readily releasable pool driven by Brownian motion of vesicles can reproduce the characteristic binomial release distributions seen experimentally. We believe that our modelling approach supports the idea that vesicle diffusion and readily releasable pool dynamics are crucial factors for the physiological functioning of neuronal communication. KEY POINTS: We developed a new probabilistic model of spontaneous and evoked vesicle fusion based on simple biophysical assumptions, including the motion of vesicles before they dock to the release site. We provide closed-form equations for the interval distribution of spontaneous releases in the special case of Brownian diffusion of vesicles, showing that a power-law heavy tail is generated. Fractional Brownian motion (fBm) was exploited to simulate anomalous vesicle diffusion, including directed and non-directed motion, by varying the Hurst exponent. We show that our model predicts non-linear features observed in experimental spontaneous quantal release series as well as ultrastructural data of synaptic vesicles spatial distribution. Evoked exocytosis based on a diffusion-replenished readily releasable pool might explain the emergence of power-law behaviour in neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Lamanna
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Gloria
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Malgaroli
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- San Raffaele Turro, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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2
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David S, Pinter K, Nguyen KK, Lee DS, Lei Z, Sokolova Y, Sheets L, Kindt KS. Kif1a and intact microtubules maintain synaptic-vesicle populations at ribbon synapses in zebrafish hair cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.20.595037. [PMID: 38903095 PMCID: PMC11188139 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.20.595037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Sensory hair cells of the inner ear utilize specialized ribbon synapses to transmit sensory stimuli to the central nervous system. This sensory transmission necessitates rapid and sustained neurotransmitter release, which relies on a large pool of synaptic vesicles at the hair-cell presynapse. Work in neurons has shown that kinesin motor proteins traffic synaptic material along microtubules to the presynapse, but how new synaptic material reaches the presynapse in hair cells is not known. We show that the kinesin motor protein Kif1a and an intact microtubule network are necessary to enrich synaptic vesicles at the presynapse in hair cells. We use genetics and pharmacology to disrupt Kif1a function and impair microtubule networks in hair cells of the zebrafish lateral-line system. We find that these manipulations decrease synaptic-vesicle populations at the presynapse in hair cells. Using electron microscopy, along with in vivo calcium imaging and electrophysiology, we show that a diminished supply of synaptic vesicles adversely affects ribbon-synapse function. Kif1a mutants exhibit dramatic reductions in spontaneous vesicle release and evoked postsynaptic calcium responses. Additionally, we find that kif1a mutants exhibit impaired rheotaxis, a behavior reliant on the ability of hair cells in the lateral line to respond to sustained flow stimuli. Overall, our results demonstrate that Kif1a-based microtubule transport is critical to enrich synaptic vesicles at the active zone in hair cells, a process that is vital for proper ribbon-synapse function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep David
- Section on Sensory Cell Development and Function, National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD, USA
- National Institutes of Health-Brown University Graduate Partnership Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katherine Pinter
- Section on Sensory Cell Development and Function, National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Keziah-Khue Nguyen
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David S Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Zhengchang Lei
- Section on Sensory Cell Development and Function, National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yuliya Sokolova
- Advanced Imaging Core, National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lavinia Sheets
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Katie S Kindt
- Section on Sensory Cell Development and Function, National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD, USA
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3
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Hepburn I, Lallouette J, Chen W, Gallimore AR, Nagasawa-Soeda SY, De Schutter E. Vesicle and reaction-diffusion hybrid modeling with STEPS. Commun Biol 2024; 7:573. [PMID: 38750123 PMCID: PMC11096338 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06276-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Vesicles carry out many essential functions within cells through the processes of endocytosis, exocytosis, and passive and active transport. This includes transporting and delivering molecules between different parts of the cell, and storing and releasing neurotransmitters in neurons. To date, computational simulation of these key biological players has been rather limited and has not advanced at the same pace as other aspects of cell modeling, restricting the realism of computational models. We describe a general vesicle modeling tool that has been designed for wide application to a variety of cell models, implemented within our software STochastic Engine for Pathway Simulation (STEPS), a stochastic reaction-diffusion simulator that supports realistic reconstructions of cell tissue in tetrahedral meshes. The implementation is validated in an extensive test suite, parallel performance is demonstrated in a realistic synaptic bouton model, and example models are visualized in a Blender extension module.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain Hepburn
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Jules Lallouette
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Weiliang Chen
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Andrew R Gallimore
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Sarah Y Nagasawa-Soeda
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Erik De Schutter
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan.
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4
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Rodriguez Gotor JJ, Mahfooz K, Perez-Otano I, Wesseling JF. Parallel processing of quickly and slowly mobilized reserve vesicles in hippocampal synapses. eLife 2024; 12:RP88212. [PMID: 38727712 PMCID: PMC11087054 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Vesicles within presynaptic terminals are thought to be segregated into a variety of readily releasable and reserve pools. The nature of the pools and trafficking between them is not well understood, but pools that are slow to mobilize when synapses are active are often assumed to feed pools that are mobilized more quickly, in a series. However, electrophysiological studies of synaptic transmission have suggested instead a parallel organization where vesicles within slowly and quickly mobilized reserve pools would separately feed independent reluctant- and fast-releasing subdivisions of the readily releasable pool. Here, we use FM-dyes to confirm the existence of multiple reserve pools at hippocampal synapses and a parallel organization that prevents intermixing between the pools, even when stimulation is intense enough to drive exocytosis at the maximum rate. The experiments additionally demonstrate extensive heterogeneity among synapses in the relative sizes of the slowly and quickly mobilized reserve pools, which suggests equivalent heterogeneity in the numbers of reluctant and fast-releasing readily releasable vesicles that may be relevant for understanding information processing and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kashif Mahfooz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Isabel Perez-Otano
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante CSIC-UMHSan Juan de AlicanteSpain
| | - John F Wesseling
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante CSIC-UMHSan Juan de AlicanteSpain
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Longfield SF, Gormal RS, Feller M, Parutto P, Reingruber J, Wallis TP, Joensuu M, Augustine GJ, Martínez-Mármol R, Holcman D, Meunier FA. Synapsin 2a tetramerisation selectively controls the presynaptic nanoscale organisation of reserve synaptic vesicles. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2217. [PMID: 38472171 PMCID: PMC10933366 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46256-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmitter release relies on the regulated fusion of synaptic vesicles (SVs) that are tightly packed within the presynaptic bouton of neurons. The mechanism by which SVs are clustered at the presynapse, while preserving their ability to dynamically recycle to support neuronal communication, remains unknown. Synapsin 2a (Syn2a) tetramerization has been suggested as a potential clustering mechanism. Here, we used Dual-pulse sub-diffractional Tracking of Internalised Molecules (DsdTIM) to simultaneously track single SVs from the recycling and the reserve pools, in live hippocampal neurons. The reserve pool displays a lower presynaptic mobility compared to the recycling pool and is also present in the axons. Triple knockout of Synapsin 1-3 genes (SynTKO) increased the mobility of reserve pool SVs. Re-expression of wild-type Syn2a (Syn2aWT), but not the tetramerization-deficient mutant K337Q (Syn2aK337Q), fully rescued these effects. Single-particle tracking revealed that Syn2aK337QmEos3.1 exhibited altered activity-dependent presynaptic translocation and nanoclustering. Therefore, Syn2a tetramerization controls its own presynaptic nanoclustering and thereby contributes to the dynamic immobilisation of the SV reserve pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanley F Longfield
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rachel S Gormal
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Matis Feller
- Group of Data Modelling and Computational Biology, IBENS, Ecole Normale Superieure, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Parutto
- Group of Data Modelling and Computational Biology, IBENS, Ecole Normale Superieure, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Jürgen Reingruber
- Group of Data Modelling and Computational Biology, IBENS, Ecole Normale Superieure, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Tristan P Wallis
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Merja Joensuu
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Ramón Martínez-Mármol
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David Holcman
- Group of Data Modelling and Computational Biology, IBENS, Ecole Normale Superieure, 75005, Paris, France
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMPT) visitor, University of Cambridge, and Churchill College, CB30DS, Cambridge, UK
| | - Frédéric A Meunier
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Hoffmann C, Rentsch J, Tsunoyama TA, Chhabra A, Aguilar Perez G, Chowdhury R, Trnka F, Korobeinikov AA, Shaib AH, Ganzella M, Giannone G, Rizzoli SO, Kusumi A, Ewers H, Milovanovic D. Synapsin condensation controls synaptic vesicle sequestering and dynamics. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6730. [PMID: 37872159 PMCID: PMC10593750 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal transmission relies on the regulated secretion of neurotransmitters, which are packed in synaptic vesicles (SVs). Hundreds of SVs accumulate at synaptic boutons. Despite being held together, SVs are highly mobile, so that they can be recruited to the plasma membrane for their rapid release during neuronal activity. However, how such confinement of SVs corroborates with their motility remains unclear. To bridge this gap, we employ ultrafast single-molecule tracking (SMT) in the reconstituted system of native SVs and in living neurons. SVs and synapsin 1, the most highly abundant synaptic protein, form condensates with liquid-like properties. In these condensates, synapsin 1 movement is slowed in both at short (i.e., 60-nm) and long (i.e., several hundred-nm) ranges, suggesting that the SV-synapsin 1 interaction raises the overall packing of the condensate. Furthermore, two-color SMT and super-resolution imaging in living axons demonstrate that synapsin 1 drives the accumulation of SVs in boutons. Even the short intrinsically-disordered fragment of synapsin 1 was sufficient to restore the native SV motility pattern in synapsin triple knock-out animals. Thus, synapsin 1 condensation is sufficient to guarantee reliable confinement and motility of SVs, allowing for the formation of mesoscale domains of SVs at synapses in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hoffmann
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jakob Rentsch
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Taka A Tsunoyama
- Membrane Cooperativity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST); Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Akshita Chhabra
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerard Aguilar Perez
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rajdeep Chowdhury
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Germany; Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) Center, Göttingen, Germany; Excellence Cluster Multiscale Bioimaging, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Franziska Trnka
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aleksandr A Korobeinikov
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ali H Shaib
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Germany; Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) Center, Göttingen, Germany; Excellence Cluster Multiscale Bioimaging, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marcelo Ganzella
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gregory Giannone
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux, UMR 5297, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Germany; Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) Center, Göttingen, Germany; Excellence Cluster Multiscale Bioimaging, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Akihiro Kusumi
- Membrane Cooperativity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST); Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Helge Ewers
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dragomir Milovanovic
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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Mougios N, Opazo F, Rizzoli SO, Reshetniak S. Trafficking proteins show limited differences in mobility across different postsynaptic spines. iScience 2023; 26:105971. [PMID: 36718370 PMCID: PMC9883188 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.105971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The function of the postsynaptic compartment is based on the presence and activity of postsynaptic receptors, whose dynamics are controlled by numerous scaffolding, signaling and trafficking proteins. Although the receptors and the scaffolding proteins have received substantial attention, the trafficking proteins have not been investigated extensively. Their mobility rates are unknown, and it is unclear how the postsynaptic environment affects their dynamics. To address this, we analyzed several trafficking proteins (α-synuclein, amphiphysin, calmodulin, doc2a, dynamin, and endophilin), estimating their movement rates in the dendritic shaft, as well as in morphologically distinct "mushroom" and "stubby" postsynapse types. The diffusion parameters were surprisingly similar across dendritic compartments, and a few differences between proteins became evident only in the presence of a synapse neck. We conclude that the movement of trafficking proteins is not strongly affected by the postsynaptic compartment, in stark contrast to the presynapse, which regulates strongly the movement of such proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Mougios
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany,Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), University of Göttingen Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felipe Opazo
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany,Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), University of Göttingen Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany,NanoTag Biotechnologies GmbH, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio O. Rizzoli
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany,Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), University of Göttingen Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany,Corresponding author
| | - Sofiia Reshetniak
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany,Corresponding author
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Abstract
Monitoring the proteins and lipids that mediate all cellular processes requires imaging methods with increased spatial and temporal resolution. STED (stimulated emission depletion) nanoscopy enables fast imaging of nanoscale structures in living cells but is limited by photobleaching. Here, we present event-triggered STED, an automated multiscale method capable of rapidly initiating two-dimensional (2D) and 3D STED imaging after detecting cellular events such as protein recruitment, vesicle trafficking and second messengers activity using biosensors. STED is applied in the vicinity of detected events to maximize the temporal resolution. We imaged synaptic vesicle dynamics at up to 24 Hz, 40 ms after local calcium activity; endocytosis and exocytosis events at up to 11 Hz, 40 ms after local protein recruitment or pH changes; and the interaction between endosomal vesicles at up to 3 Hz, 70 ms after approaching one another. Event-triggered STED extends the capabilities of live nanoscale imaging, enabling novel biological observations in real time.
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Park C, Jung S, Park H. Single vesicle tracking for studying synaptic vesicle dynamics in small central synapses. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 76:102596. [PMID: 35803103 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Sustained neurotransmission is driven by a continuous supply of synaptic vesicles to the release sites and modulated by synaptic vesicle dynamics. However, synaptic vesicle dynamics in synapses remain elusive because of technical limitations. Recent advances in fluorescence imaging techniques have enabled the tracking of single synaptic vesicles in small central synapses in living neurons. Single vesicle tracking has uncovered a wealth of new information about synaptic vesicle dynamics both within and outside presynaptic terminals, showing that single vesicle tracking is an effective tool for studying synaptic vesicle dynamics. Particularly, single vesicle tracking with high spatiotemporal resolution has revealed the dependence of synaptic vesicle dynamics on the location, stages of recycling, and neuronal activity. This review summarizes the recent findings from single synaptic vesicle tracking in small central synapses and their implications in synaptic transmission and pathogenic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chungwon Park
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Sangyong Jung
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, 138667, Singapore; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Hyokeun Park
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong; Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.
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Brodin L, Milovanovic D, Rizzoli SO, Shupliakov O. α-Synuclein in the Synaptic Vesicle Liquid Phase: Active Player or Passive Bystander? Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:891508. [PMID: 35664678 PMCID: PMC9159372 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.891508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein α-synuclein, which is well-known for its links to Parkinson’s Disease, is associated with synaptic vesicles (SVs) in nerve terminals. Despite intensive studies, its precise physiological function remains elusive. Accumulating evidence indicates that liquid-liquid phase separation takes part in the assembly and/or maintenance of different synaptic compartments. The current review discusses recent data suggesting α-synuclein as a component of the SV liquid phase. We also consider possible implications of these data for disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Brodin
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Lennart Brodin, ; Oleg Shupliakov,
| | - Dragomir Milovanovic
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvio O. Rizzoli
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oleg Shupliakov
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- *Correspondence: Lennart Brodin, ; Oleg Shupliakov,
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Real-time three-dimensional tracking of single vesicles reveals abnormal motion and pools of synaptic vesicles in neurons of Huntington's disease mice. iScience 2021; 24:103181. [PMID: 34703988 PMCID: PMC8521108 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although defective synaptic transmission was suggested to play a role in neurodegenerative diseases, the dynamics and vesicle pools of synaptic vesicles during neurodegeneration remain elusive. Here, we performed real-time three-dimensional tracking of single synaptic vesicles in cortical neurons from a mouse model of Huntington's disease (HD). Vesicles in HD neurons had a larger net displacement and radius of gyration compared with wild-type neurons. Vesicles with high release probability (Pr) were interspersed with low-Pr vesicles in HD neurons, whereas high-Pr vesicles were closer to fusion sites than low-Pr in wild-type neurons. Non-releasing vesicles in HD neurons had an abnormally high prevalence of irregular oscillatory motion. These abnormal dynamics and vesicle pools were rescued by overexpressing Rab11, and the abnormal irregular oscillatory motion was rescued by jasplakinolide. Our studies reveal the abnormal dynamics and pools of synaptic vesicles in the early stages of HD, suggesting a possible pathogenic mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases.
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12
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Unique dynamics and exocytosis properties of GABAergic synaptic vesicles revealed by three-dimensional single vesicle tracking. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2022133118. [PMID: 33622785 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2022133118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintaining the balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition is essential for proper function of the central nervous system. Inhibitory synaptic transmission plays an important role in maintaining this balance. Although inhibitory transmission has higher kinetic demands compared to excitatory transmission, its properties are poorly understood. In particular, the dynamics and exocytosis of single inhibitory vesicles have not been investigated, due largely to both technical and practical limitations. Using a combination of quantum dots (QDs) conjugated to antibodies against the luminal domain of the vesicular GABA transporter to selectively label GABAergic (i.e., predominantly inhibitory) vesicles together with dual-focus imaging optics, we tracked the real-time three-dimensional position of single GABAergic vesicles up to the moment of exocytosis (i.e., fusion). Using three-dimensional trajectories, we found that GABAergic synaptic vesicles traveled a shorter distance prior to fusion and had a shorter time to fusion compared to synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1)-labeled vesicles, which were mostly from excitatory neurons. Moreover, our analysis revealed that GABAergic synaptic vesicles move more straightly to their release sites than Syt1-labeled vesicles. Finally, we found that GABAergic vesicles have a higher prevalence of kiss-and-run fusion than Syt1-labeled vesicles. These results indicate that inhibitory synaptic vesicles have a unique set of dynamics and exocytosis properties to support rapid synaptic inhibition, thereby maintaining a tightly regulated coordination between excitation and inhibition in the central nervous system.
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13
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Harper CB, Smillie KJ. Current molecular approaches to investigate pre-synaptic dysfunction. J Neurochem 2021; 157:107-129. [PMID: 33544872 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Over the course of the last few decades it has become clear that many neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders have a synaptic defect, which contributes to pathogenicity. A rise in new techniques, and in particular '-omics'-based methods providing large datasets, has led to an increase in potential proteins and pathways implicated in synaptic function and related disorders. Additionally, advancements in imaging techniques have led to the recent discovery of alternative modes of synaptic vesicle recycling. This has resulted in a lack of clarity over the precise role of different pathways in maintaining synaptic function and whether these new pathways are dysfunctional in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. A greater understanding of the molecular detail of pre-synaptic function in health and disease is key to targeting new proteins and pathways for novel treatments and the variety of new techniques currently available provides an ideal opportunity to investigate these functions. This review focuses on techniques to interrogate pre-synaptic function, concentrating mainly on synaptic vesicle recycling. It further examines techniques to determine the underlying molecular mechanism of pre-synaptic dysfunction and discusses methods to identify molecular targets, along with protein-protein interactions and cellular localization. In combination, these techniques will provide an expanding and more complete picture of pre-synaptic function. With the application of recent technological advances, we are able to resolve events with higher spatial and temporal resolution, leading research towards a greater understanding of dysfunction at the presynapse and the role it plays in pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callista B Harper
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Karen J Smillie
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
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14
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Carvalhais LG, Martinho VC, Ferreiro E, Pinheiro PS. Unraveling the Nanoscopic Organization and Function of Central Mammalian Presynapses With Super-Resolution Microscopy. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:578409. [PMID: 33584169 PMCID: PMC7874199 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.578409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex, nanoscopic scale of neuronal function, taking place at dendritic spines, axon terminals, and other minuscule structures, cannot be adequately resolved using standard, diffraction-limited imaging techniques. The last couple of decades saw a rapid evolution of imaging methods that overcome the diffraction limit imposed by Abbe's principle. These techniques, including structured illumination microscopy (SIM), stimulated emission depletion (STED), photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM), and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), among others, have revolutionized our understanding of synapse biology. By exploiting the stochastic nature of fluorophore light/dark states or non-linearities in the interaction of fluorophores with light, by using modified illumination strategies that limit the excitation area, these methods can achieve spatial resolutions down to just a few tens of nm or less. Here, we review how these advanced imaging techniques have contributed to unprecedented insight into the nanoscopic organization and function of mammalian neuronal presynapses, revealing new organizational principles or lending support to existing views, while raising many important new questions. We further discuss recent technical refinements and newly developed tools that will continue to expand our ability to delve deeper into how synaptic function is orchestrated at the nanoscopic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia G Carvalhais
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vera C Martinho
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Ferreiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paulo S Pinheiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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15
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Gramlich MW, Klyachko VA. Nanoscale Organization of Vesicle Release at Central Synapses. Trends Neurosci 2020; 42:425-437. [PMID: 31176424 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Presynaptic boutons support neurotransmitter release with nanoscale precision at sub-millisecond timescales. Studies over the past two decades have revealed a rich tapestry of molecular players governing synaptic vesicle fusion at highly specialized release sites in the active zone (AZ). However, the spatiotemporal organization of release at active synapses remains elusive, in part owing to the extremely small size of the AZ and the limited resolution of conventional approaches. Recent advances in fluorescence nanoscopy have revolutionized direct investigation of presynaptic release organization and dynamics. We discuss here recent nanoscopy-based studies of the molecular architecture, the spatial organization and dynamic regulation of release sites, and the mechanisms of release site replenishment. These findings have uncovered previously unknown levels of structural and functional organization at central synapses, with important implications for synaptic transmission and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Gramlich
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Present address: Department of Physics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Vitaly A Klyachko
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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16
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Reshetniak S, Ußling J, Perego E, Rammner B, Schikorski T, Fornasiero EF, Truckenbrodt S, Köster S, Rizzoli SO. A comparative analysis of the mobility of 45 proteins in the synaptic bouton. EMBO J 2020; 39:e104596. [PMID: 32627850 PMCID: PMC7429486 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020104596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many proteins involved in synaptic transmission are well known, and their features, as their abundance or spatial distribution, have been analyzed in systematic studies. This has not been the case, however, for their mobility. To solve this, we analyzed the motion of 45 GFP-tagged synaptic proteins expressed in cultured hippocampal neurons, using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, particle tracking, and modeling. We compared synaptic vesicle proteins, endo- and exocytosis cofactors, cytoskeleton components, and trafficking proteins. We found that movement was influenced by the protein association with synaptic vesicles, especially for membrane proteins. Surprisingly, protein mobility also correlated significantly with parameters as the protein lifetimes, or the nucleotide composition of their mRNAs. We then analyzed protein movement thoroughly, taking into account the spatial characteristics of the system. This resulted in a first visualization of overall protein motion in the synapse, which should enable future modeling studies of synaptic physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiia Reshetniak
- Institute for Neuro‐ and Sensory Physiology and Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) CenterUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- International Max Planck Research School for Molecular BiologyGöttingenGermany
| | - Jan‐Eike Ußling
- Institute for Neuro‐ and Sensory Physiology and Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) CenterUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Eleonora Perego
- Institute for X‐Ray PhysicsUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Burkhard Rammner
- Institute for Neuro‐ and Sensory Physiology and Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) CenterUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Thomas Schikorski
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversidad Central del CaribeBayamonPRUSA
| | - Eugenio F Fornasiero
- Institute for Neuro‐ and Sensory Physiology and Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) CenterUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Sven Truckenbrodt
- Institute for Neuro‐ and Sensory Physiology and Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) CenterUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- International Max Planck Research School for Molecular BiologyGöttingenGermany
| | - Sarah Köster
- Institute for X‐Ray PhysicsUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells” (MBExC)University of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- Institute for Neuro‐ and Sensory Physiology and Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) CenterUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells” (MBExC)University of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
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17
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Nolan SO, Zachry JE, Johnson AR, Brady LJ, Siciliano CA, Calipari ES. Direct dopamine terminal regulation by local striatal microcircuitry. J Neurochem 2020; 155:475-493. [PMID: 32356315 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of axonal dopamine release by local microcircuitry is at the hub of several biological processes that govern the timing and magnitude of signaling events in reward-related brain regions. An important characteristic of dopamine release from axon terminals in the striatum is that it is rapidly modulated by local regulatory mechanisms. These processes can occur via homosynaptic mechanisms-such as presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors and dopamine transporters - as well heterosynaptic mechanisms such as retrograde signaling from postsynaptic cholinergic and dynorphin systems, among others. Additionally, modulation of dopamine release via diffusible messengers, such as nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide, allows for various metabolic factors to quickly and efficiently regulate dopamine release and subsequent signaling. Here we review how these mechanisms work in concert to influence the timing and magnitude of striatal dopamine signaling, independent of action potential activity at the level of dopaminergic cell bodies in the midbrain, thereby providing a parallel pathway by which dopamine can be modulated. Understanding the complexities of local regulation of dopamine signaling is required for building comprehensive frameworks of how activity throughout the dopamine system is integrated to drive signaling and control behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jennifer E Zachry
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Amy R Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lillian J Brady
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Cody A Siciliano
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN TN, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN TN, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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18
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Bilkey J, Nahirney PC, Delaney KR. Time and exposure to serotonin affect releasability of recycled vesicles at crayfish claw opener muscle synapses. Synapse 2019; 74:e22136. [PMID: 31574172 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The crayfish claw opener neuromuscular junction is a biological model for studying presynaptic neuromodulation by serotonin (5HT) and synaptic vesicle recycling. It has been hypothesized that 5HT enhances release by recruiting a population of either previously nonrecycling or "reluctant" vesicles to increase the readily releasable pool. To determine if 5HT activates a distinct population of synaptic vesicles, recycling membranes were labeled with the membrane dye, FM1-43. Unloading (destaining) protocols could not resolve a population of vesicles that were only releasable in the presence of 5HT. Instead, we conclude synaptic vesicles change behavior in axon terminals independent of 5HT, becoming less likely to exocytose and unload dye over periods of >1 hr after recycling. We hypothesized this to be due to the slow conversion of a portion of recycled vesicles to a difficult to release state. The possibility that vesicles in these pools were spatially separated within the terminal was tested using photoconversion of FM1-43 and transmission electron microscopy. The location of FM1-43-labeled vesicles fixed 2 min following 3 min of 20-Hz stimulation did not reveal preferential localization of recycling vesicles specifically near release sites and the distribution of labeled vesicles was not significantly different between early (2 min) and late (180 min) time points. Terminals fixed 30 s following stimulation contained a significant proportion of vesicular structures equivalent in diameter to 2-5 regular vesicles, with multivesicular bodies and calveoli rarely seen, suggesting that endocytosis during sustained release at crayfish terminals occurs via multiple routes, most commonly through large "vesicle" intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Bilkey
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Patrick C Nahirney
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kerry R Delaney
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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19
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Ranjbari E, Majdi S, Ewing A. Analytical Techniques: Shedding Light upon Nanometer-Sized Secretory Vesicles. TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2019.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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20
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Maschi D, Gramlich MW, Klyachko VA. Myosin V functions as a vesicle tether at the plasma membrane to control neurotransmitter release in central synapses. eLife 2018; 7:e39440. [PMID: 30320552 PMCID: PMC6209431 DOI: 10.7554/elife.39440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic vesicle fusion occurs at specialized release sites at the active zone. How refilling of release sites with new vesicles is regulated in central synapses remains poorly understood. Using nanoscale-resolution detection of individual release events in rat hippocampal synapses we found that inhibition of myosin V, the predominant vesicle-associated motor, strongly reduced refilling of the release sites during repetitive stimulation. Single-vesicle tracking revealed that recycling vesicles continuously shuttle between a plasma membrane pool and an inner pool. Vesicle retention at the membrane pool was regulated by neural activity in a myosin V dependent manner. Ultrastructural measurements of vesicle occupancy at the plasma membrane together with analyses of single-vesicle trajectories during vesicle shuttling between the pools suggest that myosin V acts as a vesicle tether at the plasma membrane, rather than a motor transporting vesicles to the release sites, or directly regulating vesicle exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Maschi
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyWashington UniversityMissouriUnited States
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington UniversityMissouriUnited States
| | - Michael W Gramlich
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyWashington UniversityMissouriUnited States
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington UniversityMissouriUnited States
| | - Vitaly A Klyachko
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyWashington UniversityMissouriUnited States
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington UniversityMissouriUnited States
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21
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Guarnieri FC, Pozzi D, Raimondi A, Fesce R, Valente MM, Delvecchio VS, Van Esch H, Matteoli M, Benfenati F, D'Adamo P, Valtorta F. A novel SYN1 missense mutation in non-syndromic X-linked intellectual disability affects synaptic vesicle life cycle, clustering and mobility. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:4699-4714. [PMID: 28973667 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Intellectual Disability is a common and heterogeneous disorder characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, whose molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Among the numerous genes found to be involved in the pathogenesis of intellectual disability, 10% are located on the X-chromosome. We identified a missense mutation (c.236 C > G; p.S79W) in the SYN1 gene coding for synapsin I in the MRX50 family, affected by non-syndromic X-linked intellectual disability. Synapsin I is a neuronal phosphoprotein involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter release and neuronal development. Several mutations in SYN1 have been identified in patients affected by epilepsy and/or autism. The S79W mutation segregates with the disease in the MRX50 family and all affected members display intellectual disability as sole clinical manifestation. At the protein level, the S79W Synapsin I mutation is located in the region of the B-domain involved in recognition of highly curved membranes. Expression of human S79W Synapsin I in Syn1 knockout hippocampal neurons causes aberrant accumulation of small clear vesicles in the soma, increased clustering of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic terminals and increased frequency of excitatory spontaneous release events. In addition, the presence of S79W Synapsin I strongly reduces the mobility of synaptic vesicles, with possible implications for the regulation of neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. These results implicate SYN1 in the pathogenesis of non-syndromic intellectual disability, showing that alterations of synaptic vesicle trafficking are one possible cause of this disease, and suggest that distinct mutations in SYN1 may lead to distinct brain pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia C Guarnieri
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Pozzi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Raimondi
- Experimental Imaging Center, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Fesce
- Centre of Neuroscience and DISTA, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Maria M Valente
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Hilde Van Esch
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michela Matteoli
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.,Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Patrizia D'Adamo
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Valtorta
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, Italy
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22
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Joensuu M, Martínez-Mármol R, Padmanabhan P, Glass NR, Durisic N, Pelekanos M, Mollazade M, Balistreri G, Amor R, Cooper-White JJ, Goodhill GJ, Meunier FA. Visualizing endocytic recycling and trafficking in live neurons by subdiffractional tracking of internalized molecules. Nat Protoc 2017; 12:2590-2622. [PMID: 29189775 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2017.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of endocytic pathway dynamics is restricted by the diffraction limit of light microscopy. Although super-resolution techniques can overcome this issue, highly crowded cellular environments, such as nerve terminals, can also dramatically limit the tracking of multiple endocytic vesicles such as synaptic vesicles (SVs), which in turn restricts the analytical dissection of their discrete diffusional and transport states. We recently introduced a pulse-chase technique for subdiffractional tracking of internalized molecules (sdTIM) that allows the visualization of fluorescently tagged molecules trapped in individual signaling endosomes and SVs in presynapses or axons with 30- to 50-nm localization precision. We originally developed this approach for tracking single molecules of botulinum neurotoxin type A, which undergoes activity-dependent internalization and retrograde transport in autophagosomes. This method was then adapted to localize the signaling endosomes containing cholera toxin subunit-B that undergo retrograde transport in axons and to track SVs in the crowded environment of hippocampal presynapses. We describe (i) the construction of a custom-made microfluidic device that enables control over neuronal orientation; (ii) the 3D printing of a perfusion system for sdTIM experiments performed on glass-bottom dishes; (iii) the dissection, culturing and transfection of hippocampal neurons in microfluidic devices; and (iv) guidance on how to perform the pulse-chase experiments and data analysis. In addition, we describe the use of single-molecule-tracking analytical tools to reveal the average and the heterogeneous single-molecule mobility behaviors. We also discuss alternative reagents and equipment that can, in principle, be used for sdTIM experiments and describe how to adapt sdTIM to image nanocluster formation and/or tubulation in early endosomes during sorting events. The procedures described in this protocol take ∼1 week.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Joensuu
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ramon Martínez-Mármol
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nick R Glass
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nela Durisic
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew Pelekanos
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mahdie Mollazade
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Balistreri
- Division of General Microbiology, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rumelo Amor
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Justin J Cooper-White
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Division of General Microbiology, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Materials Science and Engineering Division, CSIRO, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,UQ Centre for Stem Cell Ageing and Regenerative Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Geoffrey J Goodhill
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Frédéric A Meunier
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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23
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Gramlich MW, Klyachko VA. Actin/Myosin-V- and Activity-Dependent Inter-synaptic Vesicle Exchange in Central Neurons. Cell Rep 2017; 18:2096-2104. [PMID: 28249156 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicle sharing between synaptic boutons is an important component of the recycling process that synapses employ to maintain vesicle pools. However, the mechanisms supporting and regulating vesicle transport during the inter-synaptic exchange remain poorly understood. Using nanometer-resolution tracking of individual synaptic vesicles and advanced computational algorithms, we find that long-distance axonal transport of synaptic vesicles between hippocampal boutons is partially mediated by the actin network, with myosin V as the primary actin-dependent motor that drives this vesicle transport. Furthermore, we find that vesicle exit from the synapse to the axon and long-distance vesicle transport are both rapidly and dynamically regulated by activity. We corroborated these findings with two complementary modeling approaches of vesicle exit, which closely reproduced experimental observations. These findings uncover the roles of actin and myosin V in supporting the inter-synaptic vesicle exchange and reveal that this process is dynamically modulated in an activity-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Gramlich
- Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology, Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Vitaly A Klyachko
- Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology, Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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24
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Heller JP, Rusakov DA. The Nanoworld of the Tripartite Synapse: Insights from Super-Resolution Microscopy. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:374. [PMID: 29225567 PMCID: PMC5705901 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic connections between individual nerve cells are fundamental to the process of information transfer and storage in the brain. Over the past decades a third key partner of the synaptic machinery has been unveiled: ultrathin processes of electrically passive astroglia which often surround pre- and postsynaptic structures. The recent advent of super-resolution (SR) microscopy has begun to uncover the dynamic nanoworld of synapses and their astroglial environment. Here we overview and discuss the current progress in our understanding of the synaptic nanoenvironment, as gleaned from the imaging methods that go beyond the diffraction limit of conventional light microscopy. We argue that such methods are essential to achieve a new level of comprehension pertinent to the principles of signal integration in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janosch P Heller
- UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dmitri A Rusakov
- UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Neuroscience, University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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25
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Satnav for cells: Destination membrane fusion. Cell Calcium 2017; 68:14-23. [PMID: 29129204 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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26
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Activity-Dependence of Synaptic Vesicle Dynamics. J Neurosci 2017; 37:10597-10610. [PMID: 28954868 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0383-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The proper function of synapses relies on efficient recycling of synaptic vesicles. The small size of synaptic boutons has hampered efforts to define the dynamical states of vesicles during recycling. Moreover, whether vesicle motion during recycling is regulated by neural activity remains largely unknown. We combined nanoscale-resolution tracking of individual synaptic vesicles in cultured hippocampal neurons from rats of both sexes with advanced motion analyses to demonstrate that the majority of recently endocytosed vesicles undergo sequences of transient dynamical states including epochs of directed, diffusional, and stalled motion. We observed that vesicle motion is modulated in an activity-dependent manner, with dynamical changes apparent in ∼20% of observed boutons. Within this subpopulation of boutons, 35% of observed vesicles exhibited acceleration and 65% exhibited deceleration, accompanied by corresponding changes in directed motion. Individual vesicles observed in the remaining ∼80% of boutons did not exhibit apparent dynamical changes in response to stimulation. More quantitative transient motion analyses revealed that the overall reduction of vesicle mobility, and specifically of the directed motion component, is the predominant activity-evoked change across the entire bouton population. Activity-dependent modulation of vesicle mobility may represent an important mechanism controlling vesicle availability and neurotransmitter release.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mechanisms governing synaptic vesicle dynamics during recycling remain poorly understood. Using nanoscale resolution tracking of individual synaptic vesicles in hippocampal synapses and advanced motion analysis tools we demonstrate that synaptic vesicles undergo complex sets of dynamical states that include epochs of directed, diffusive, and stalled motion. Most importantly, our analyses revealed that vesicle motion is modulated in an activity-dependent manner apparent as the reduction in overall vesicle mobility in response to stimulation. These results define the vesicle dynamical states during recycling and reveal their activity-dependent modulation. Our study thus provides fundamental new insights into the principles governing synaptic function.
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Tools and limitations to study the molecular composition of synapses by fluorescence microscopy. Biochem J 2017; 473:3385-3399. [PMID: 27729584 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The synapse is densely packed with proteins involved in various highly regulated processes. Synaptic protein copy numbers and their stoichiometric distribution have a drastic influence on neuronal integrity and function. Therefore, the molecular analysis of synapses is a key element to understand their architecture and function. The overall structure of the synapse has been revealed with an exquisite amount of details by electron microscopy. However, the molecular composition and the localization of proteins are more easily addressed with fluorescence imaging, especially with the improved resolution achieved by super-resolution microscopy techniques. Notably, the fast improvement of imaging instruments has not been reflected in the optimization of biological sample preparation. During recent years, large efforts have been made to generate affinity probes smaller than conventional antibodies adapted for fluorescent super-resolution imaging. In this review, we briefly discuss the current views on synaptic organization and necessary key technologies to progress in the understanding of synaptic physiology. We also highlight the challenges faced by current fluorescent super-resolution methods, and we describe the prerequisites for an ideal study of synaptic organization.
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Guillaud L, Dimitrov D, Takahashi T. Presynaptic morphology and vesicular composition determine vesicle dynamics in mouse central synapses. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28432787 PMCID: PMC5423771 DOI: 10.7554/elife.24845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transport of synaptic vesicles (SVs) in nerve terminals is thought to play essential roles in maintenance of neurotransmission. To identify factors modulating SV movements, we performed real-time imaging analysis of fluorescently labeled SVs in giant calyceal and conventional hippocampal terminals. Compared with small hippocampal terminals, SV movements in giant calyceal terminals were faster, longer and kinetically more heterogeneous. Morphological maturation of giant calyceal terminals was associated with an overall reduction in SV mobility and displacement heterogeneity. At the molecular level, SVs over-expressing vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) showed higher mobility than VGLUT2-expressing SVs. Pharmacological disruption of the presynaptic microtubule network preferentially reduced long directional movements of SVs between release sites. Functionally, synaptic stimulation appeared to recruit SVs to active zones without significantly altering their mobility. Hence, the morphological features of nerve terminals and the molecular signature of vesicles are key elements determining vesicular dynamics and movements in central synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Guillaud
- Cellular and Molecular Synaptic Function Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Japan
| | - Dimitar Dimitrov
- Cellular and Molecular Synaptic Function Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Takahashi
- Cellular and Molecular Synaptic Function Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Japan
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Joensuu M, Padmanabhan P, Durisic N, Bademosi ATD, Cooper-Williams E, Morrow IC, Harper CB, Jung W, Parton RG, Goodhill GJ, Papadopulos A, Meunier FA. Subdiffractional tracking of internalized molecules reveals heterogeneous motion states of synaptic vesicles. J Cell Biol 2016; 215:277-292. [PMID: 27810917 PMCID: PMC5080683 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201604001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Joensuu et al. describe a tool for subdiffractional tracking of internalized molecules. They reveal that synaptic vesicles exhibit stochastic switching between heterogeneous diffusive and transport states in live hippocampal nerve terminals. Our understanding of endocytic pathway dynamics is severely restricted by the diffraction limit of light microscopy. To address this, we implemented a novel technique based on the subdiffractional tracking of internalized molecules (sdTIM). This allowed us to image anti–green fluorescent protein Atto647N-tagged nanobodies trapped in synaptic vesicles (SVs) from live hippocampal nerve terminals expressing vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2)–pHluorin with 36-nm localization precision. Our results showed that, once internalized, VAMP2–pHluorin/Atto647N–tagged nanobodies exhibited a markedly lower mobility than on the plasma membrane, an effect that was reversed upon restimulation in presynapses but not in neighboring axons. Using Bayesian model selection applied to hidden Markov modeling, we found that SVs oscillated between diffusive states or a combination of diffusive and transport states with opposite directionality. Importantly, SVs exhibiting diffusive motion were relatively less likely to switch to the transport motion. These results highlight the potential of the sdTIM technique to provide new insights into the dynamics of endocytic pathways in a wide variety of cellular settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Joensuu
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nela Durisic
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Adekunle T D Bademosi
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | - Isabel C Morrow
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Callista B Harper
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - WooRam Jung
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Robert G Parton
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Geoffrey J Goodhill
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Andreas Papadopulos
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia .,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Frédéric A Meunier
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia .,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Rey SA, Smith CA, Fowler MW, Crawford F, Burden JJ, Staras K. Ultrastructural and functional fate of recycled vesicles in hippocampal synapses. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8043. [PMID: 26292808 PMCID: PMC4560786 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient recycling of synaptic vesicles is thought to be critical for sustained information transfer at central terminals. However, the specific contribution that retrieved vesicles make to future transmission events remains unclear. Here we exploit fluorescence and time-stamped electron microscopy to track the functional and positional fate of vesicles endocytosed after readily releasable pool (RRP) stimulation in rat hippocampal synapses. We show that most vesicles are recovered near the active zone but subsequently take up random positions in the cluster, without preferential bias for future use. These vesicles non-selectively queue, advancing towards the release site with further stimulation in an actin-dependent manner. Nonetheless, the small subset of vesicles retrieved recently in the stimulus train persist nearer the active zone and exhibit more privileged use in the next RRP. Our findings reveal heterogeneity in vesicle fate based on nanoscale position and timing rules, providing new insights into the origins of future pool constitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Rey
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | | | - Milena W Fowler
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Freya Crawford
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Jemima J Burden
- Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Kevin Staras
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
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Di Giovanni J, Sheng ZH. Regulation of synaptic activity by snapin-mediated endolysosomal transport and sorting. EMBO J 2015; 34:2059-77. [PMID: 26108535 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201591125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Recycling synaptic vesicles (SVs) transit through early endosomal sorting stations, which raises a fundamental question: are SVs sorted toward endolysosomal pathways? Here, we used snapin mutants as tools to assess how endolysosomal sorting and trafficking impact presynaptic activity in wild-type and snapin(-/-) neurons. Snapin acts as a dynein adaptor that mediates the retrograde transport of late endosomes (LEs) and interacts with dysbindin, a subunit of the endosomal sorting complex BLOC-1. Expressing dynein-binding defective snapin mutants induced SV accumulation at presynaptic terminals, mimicking the snapin(-/-) phenotype. Conversely, over-expressing snapin reduced SV pool size by enhancing SV trafficking to the endolysosomal pathway. Using a SV-targeted Ca(2+) sensor, we demonstrate that snapin-dysbindin interaction regulates SV positional priming through BLOC-1/AP-3-dependent sorting. Our study reveals a bipartite regulation of presynaptic activity by endolysosomal trafficking and sorting: LE transport regulates SV pool size, and BLOC-1/AP-3-dependent sorting fine-tunes the Ca(2+) sensitivity of SV release. Therefore, our study provides new mechanistic insights into the maintenance and regulation of SV pool size and synchronized SV fusion through snapin-mediated LE trafficking and endosomal sorting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Di Giovanni
- Synaptic Functions Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zu-Hang Sheng
- Synaptic Functions Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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ATP binding to synaspsin IIa regulates usage and clustering of vesicles in terminals of hippocampal neurons. J Neurosci 2015; 35:985-98. [PMID: 25609616 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0944-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic transmission is expensive in terms of its energy demands and was recently shown to decrease the ATP concentration within presynaptic terminals transiently, an observation that we confirm. We hypothesized that, in addition to being an energy source, ATP may modulate the synapsins directly. Synapsins are abundant neuronal proteins that associate with the surface of synaptic vesicles and possess a well defined ATP-binding site of undetermined function. To examine our hypothesis, we produced a mutation (K270Q) in synapsin IIa that prevents ATP binding and reintroduced the mutant into cultured mouse hippocampal neurons devoid of all synapsins. Remarkably, staining for synaptic vesicle markers was enhanced in these neurons compared with neurons expressing wild-type synapsin IIa, suggesting overly efficient clustering of vesicles. In contrast, the mutation completely disrupted the capability of synapsin IIa to slow synaptic depression during sustained 10 Hz stimulation, indicating that it interfered with synapsin-dependent vesicle recruitment. Finally, we found that the K270Q mutation attenuated the phosphorylation of synapsin IIa on a distant PKA/CaMKI consensus site known to be essential for vesicle recruitment. We conclude that ATP binding to synapsin IIa plays a key role in modulating its function and in defining its contribution to hippocampal short-term synaptic plasticity.
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Binotti B, Pavlos NJ, Riedel D, Wenzel D, Vorbrüggen G, Schalk AM, Kühnel K, Boyken J, Erck C, Martens H, Chua JJE, Jahn R. The GTPase Rab26 links synaptic vesicles to the autophagy pathway. eLife 2015; 4:e05597. [PMID: 25643395 PMCID: PMC4337689 DOI: 10.7554/elife.05597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases of the Rab family not only regulate target recognition in membrane traffic but also control other cellular functions such as cytoskeletal transport and autophagy. Here we show that Rab26 is specifically associated with clusters of synaptic vesicles in neurites. Overexpression of active but not of GDP-preferring Rab26 enhances vesicle clustering, which is particularly conspicuous for the EGFP-tagged variant, resulting in a massive accumulation of synaptic vesicles in neuronal somata without altering the distribution of other organelles. Both endogenous and induced clusters co-localize with autophagy-related proteins such as Atg16L1, LC3B and Rab33B but not with other organelles. Furthermore, Atg16L1 appears to be a direct effector of Rab26 and binds Rab26 in its GTP-bound form, albeit only with low affinity. We propose that Rab26 selectively directs synaptic and secretory vesicles into preautophagosomal structures, suggesting the presence of a novel pathway for degradation of synaptic vesicles. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.05597.001 Our brain contains billions of cells called neurons that form an extensive network through which information is readily exchanged. These cells connect to each other via junctions called synapses. Our developing brain starts off with far more synapses than it needs, but the excess synapses are destroyed as the brain matures. Even in adults, synapses are continuously made and destroyed in response to experiences and learning. Inside neurons there are tiny bubble-like compartments called vesicles that supply the synapses with many of the proteins and other components that they need. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests these vesicles are rapidly destroyed once a synapse is earmarked for destruction, but it is not clear how this may occur. Here, Binotti, Pavlos et al. found that a protein called Rab26 sits on the surface of the vesicles near synapses. This protein promotes the formation of clusters of vesicles, and a membrane sometimes surrounds these clusters. Further experiments indicate that several proteins involved in a process called autophagy—where unwanted proteins and debris are destroyed—may also be found around the clusters of vesicles. Autophagy starts with the formation of a membrane around the material that needs to be destroyed. This seals the material off from rest of the cell so that enzymes can safely break it down. Binotti, Pavlos et al. found that one of the autophagy proteins—called Atg16L—can bind directly to Rab26, but only when Rab26 is in an ‘active’ state. These findings suggest that excess vesicles at synapses may be destroyed by autophagy. Further work will be required to establish how this process is controlled and how it is involved in the loss of synapses. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.05597.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Beyenech Binotti
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nathan J Pavlos
- School of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Dietmar Riedel
- Facility for Transmission Electron Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Wenzel
- Facility for Transmission Electron Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerd Vorbrüggen
- Research Group Molecular Cell Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Amanda M Schalk
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Karin Kühnel
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Janina Boyken
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | - John J E Chua
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Jahn
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
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35
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A nanoscale resolution view on synaptic vesicle dynamics. Synapse 2014; 69:256-67. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.21795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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36
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Dutta Roy R, Stefan MI, Rosenmund C. Biophysical properties of presynaptic short-term plasticity in hippocampal neurons: insights from electrophysiology, imaging and mechanistic models. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:141. [PMID: 24904286 PMCID: PMC4033079 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal neurons show different types of short-term plasticity (STP). Some exhibit facilitation of their synaptic responses and others depression. In this review we discuss presynaptic biophysical properties behind heterogeneity in STP in hippocampal neurons such as alterations in vesicle priming and docking, fusion, neurotransmitter filling and vesicle replenishment. We look into what types of information electrophysiology, imaging and mechanistic models have given about the time scales and relative impact of the different properties on STP with an emphasis on the use of mechanistic models as complementary tools to experimental procedures. Taken together this tells us that it is possible for a multitude of different mechanisms to underlie the same STP pattern, even though some are more important in specific cases, and that mechanistic models can be used to integrate the biophysical properties to see which mechanisms are more important in specific cases of STP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjita Dutta Roy
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Insitutet Stockholm, Sweden ; Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Melanie I Stefan
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christian Rosenmund
- Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany
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37
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Abstract
Synaptic vesicle recycling is one of the best-studied cellular pathways. Many of the proteins involved are known, and their interactions are becoming increasingly clear. However, as for many other pathways, it is still difficult to understand synaptic vesicle recycling as a whole. While it is generally possible to point out how synaptic reactions take place, it is not always easy to understand what triggers or controls them. Also, it is often difficult to understand how the availability of the reaction partners is controlled: how the reaction partners manage to find each other in the right place, at the right time. I present here an overview of synaptic vesicle recycling, discussing the mechanisms that trigger different reactions, and those that ensure the availability of reaction partners. A central argument is that synaptic vesicles bind soluble cofactor proteins, with low affinity, and thus control their availability in the synapse, forming a buffer for cofactor proteins. The availability of cofactor proteins, in turn, regulates the different synaptic reactions. Similar mechanisms, in which one of the reaction partners buffers another, may apply to many other processes, from the biogenesis to the degradation of the synaptic vesicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio O Rizzoli
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen European Neuroscience Institute, Göttingen, Germany
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Rodrigues HA, Fonseca MDC, Camargo WL, Lima PMA, Martinelli PM, Naves LA, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Guatimosim C. Reduced expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and neurotransmitter content affects synaptic vesicle distribution and shape in mouse neuromuscular junction. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78342. [PMID: 24260111 PMCID: PMC3832638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, nerve muscle communication is mediated by the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine packed inside synaptic vesicles by a specific vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). Here we used a mouse model (VAChT KDHOM) with 70% reduction in the expression of VAChT to investigate the morphological and functional consequences of a decreased acetylcholine uptake and release in neuromuscular synapses. Upon hypertonic stimulation, VAChT KDHOM mice presented a reduction in the amplitude and frequency of miniature endplate potentials, FM 1–43 staining intensity, total number of synaptic vesicles and altered distribution of vesicles within the synaptic terminal. In contrast, under electrical stimulation or no stimulation, VAChT KDHOM neuromuscular junctions did not differ from WT on total number of vesicles but showed altered distribution. Additionally, motor nerve terminals in VAChT KDHOM exhibited small and flattened synaptic vesicles similar to that observed in WT mice treated with vesamicol that blocks acetylcholine uptake. Based on these results, we propose that decreased VAChT levels affect synaptic vesicle biogenesis and distribution whereas a lower ACh content affects vesicles shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermann A. Rodrigues
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Matheus de C. Fonseca
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Wallace L. Camargo
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Patrícia M. A. Lima
- Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas, Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, São João Del Rei, Brasil
| | - Patrícia M. Martinelli
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Lígia A. Naves
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Vânia F. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Marco A. M. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
- * E-mail:
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Fluorescence nanoscopy. Methods and applications. J Chem Biol 2013; 6:97-120. [PMID: 24432127 DOI: 10.1007/s12154-013-0096-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence nanoscopy refers to the experimental techniques and analytical methods used for fluorescence imaging at a resolution higher than conventional, diffraction-limited, microscopy. This review explains the concepts behind fluorescence nanoscopy and focuses on the latest and promising developments in acquisition techniques, labelling strategies to obtain highly detailed super-resolved images and in the quantitative methods to extract meaningful information from them.
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Staras K, Mikulincer D, Gitler D. Monitoring and quantifying dynamic physiological processes in live neurons using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. J Neurochem 2013; 126:213-22. [PMID: 23496032 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The direct visualization of subcellular dynamic processes is often hampered by limitations in the resolving power achievable with conventional microscopy techniques. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching has emerged as a highly informative approach to address this challenge, permitting the quantitative measurement of the movement of small organelles and proteins in living functioning cells, and offering detailed insights into fundamental cellular phenomena of physiological importance. In recent years, its implementation has benefited from the increasing availability of confocal microscopy systems and of powerful labeling techniques based on genetically encoded fluorescent proteins or other chemical markers. In this review, we present fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and related techniques in the context of contemporary neurobiological research and discuss quantitative and semi-quantitative approaches to their interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Staras
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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Synapsins contribute to the dynamic spatial organization of synaptic vesicles in an activity-dependent manner. J Neurosci 2012; 32:12214-27. [PMID: 22933803 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1554-12.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The precise subcellular organization of synaptic vesicles (SVs) at presynaptic sites allows for rapid and spatially restricted exocytotic release of neurotransmitter. The synapsins (Syns) are a family of presynaptic proteins that control the availability of SVs for exocytosis by reversibly tethering them to each other and to the actin cytoskeleton in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Syn ablation leads to reduction in the density of SV proteins in nerve terminals and increased synaptic fatigue under high-frequency stimulation, accompanied by the development of an epileptic phenotype. We analyzed cultured neurons from wild-type and Syn I,II,III(-/-) triple knock-out (TKO) mice and found that SVs were severely dispersed in the absence of Syns. Vesicle dispersion did not affect the readily releasable pool of SVs, whereas the total number of SVs was considerably reduced at synapses of TKO mice. Interestingly, dispersion apparently involved exocytosis-competent SVs as well; it was not affected by stimulation but was reversed by chronic neuronal activity blockade. Altogether, these findings indicate that Syns are essential to maintain the dynamic structural organization of synapses and the size of the reserve pool of SVs during intense SV recycling, whereas an additional Syn-independent mechanism, whose molecular substrate remains to be clarified, targets SVs to synaptic boutons at rest and might be outpaced by activity.
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Tønnesen J, Nägerl UV. Superresolution imaging for neuroscience. Exp Neurol 2012; 242:33-40. [PMID: 23063602 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Revised: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The advent of superresolution fluorescence microscopy beyond the classic diffraction barrier of optical microscopy is poised to transform cell-biological research. A series of proof-of-principle studies have demonstrated its vast potential for a wide range of applications in neuroscience, including nanoscale imaging of neuronal morphology, cellular organelles, protein distributions and protein trafficking. This review introduces the main incarnations of these new methodologies, including STED, PALM/STORM and SIM, covering basic theoretical and practical aspects concerning their optical principles, technical implementation, scope and limitations. In addition, it highlights several discoveries relating to synapse biology that have been made using these novel approaches to illustrate their appeal for neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Tønnesen
- Université Bordeaux Segalen, Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, UMR 5297, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33077 Bordeaux, France
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Abstract
Synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitter at chemical synapses, thus initiating the flow of information in neural networks. To achieve this, vesicles undergo a dynamic cycle of fusion and retrieval to maintain the structural and functional integrity of the presynaptic terminals in which they reside. Moreover, compelling evidence indicates these vesicles differ in their availability for release and mobilization in response to stimuli, prompting classification into at least three different functional pools. Ongoing studies of the molecular and cellular bases for this heterogeneity attempt to link structure to physiology and clarify how regulation of vesicle pools influences synaptic strength and presynaptic plasticity. We discuss prevailing perspectives on vesicle pools, the role they play in shaping synaptic transmission, and the open questions that challenge current understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- AbdulRasheed A Alabi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences, Stanford Medical School, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Synapsin selectively controls the mobility of resting pool vesicles at hippocampal terminals. J Neurosci 2012; 32:3969-80. [PMID: 22442064 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5058-11.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Presynaptic terminals are specialized sites for information transmission where vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane and are locally recycled. Recent work has extended this classical view, with the observation that a subset of functional vesicles is dynamically shared between adjacent terminals by lateral axonal transport. Conceptually, such transport would be expected to disrupt vesicle retention around the active zone, yet terminals are characterized by a high-density vesicle cluster, suggesting that counteracting stabilizing mechanisms must operate against this tendency. The synapsins are a family of proteins that associate with synaptic vesicles and determine vesicle numbers at the terminal, but their specific function remains controversial. Here, using multiple quantitative fluorescence-based approaches and electron microscopy, we show that synapsin is instrumental for resisting vesicle dispersion and serves as a regulatory element for controlling lateral vesicle sharing between synapses. Deleting synapsin disrupts the organization of presynaptic vesicle clusters, making their boundaries hard to define. Concurrently, the fraction of vesicles amenable to transport is increased, and more vesicles are translocated to the axon. Importantly, in neurons from synapsin knock-out mice the resting and recycling pools are equally mobile. Synapsin, when present, specifically restricts the mobility of resting pool vesicles without affecting the division of vesicles between these pools. Specific expression of synapsin IIa, the sole isoform affecting synaptic depression, rescues the knock-out phenotype. Together, our results show that synapsin is pivotal for maintaining synaptic vesicle cluster integrity and that it contributes to the regulated sharing of vesicles between terminals.
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Peng A, Rotman Z, Deng PY, Klyachko VA. Differential motion dynamics of synaptic vesicles undergoing spontaneous and activity-evoked endocytosis. Neuron 2012; 73:1108-15. [PMID: 22445339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2012.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic vesicle exo- and endocytosis are usually driven by neuronal activity but can also occur spontaneously. The identity and differences between vesicles supporting evoked and spontaneous neurotransmission remain highly debated. Here we combined nanometer-resolution imaging with a transient motion analysis approach to examine the dynamics of individual synaptic vesicles in hippocampal terminals under physiological conditions. We found that vesicles undergoing spontaneous and stimulated endocytosis differ in their dynamic behavior, particularly in the ability to engage in directed motion. Our data indicate that such motional differences depend on the myosin family of motor proteins, particularly myosin II. Analysis of synaptic transmission in the presence of myosin II inhibitor confirmed a specific role for myosin II in evoked, but not spontaneous, neurotransmission and also suggested a functional role of myosin II-mediated vesicle motion in supporting vesicle mobilization during neural activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Peng
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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46
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Saka S, Rizzoli SO. Super-resolution imaging prompts re-thinking of cell biology mechanisms: selected cases using stimulated emission depletion microscopy. Bioessays 2012; 34:386-95. [PMID: 22415724 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201100080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The use of super-resolution imaging techniques in cell biology has yielded a wealth of information regarding cellular elements and processes that were invisible to conventional imaging. Focusing on images obtained by stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, we discuss how the new high-resolution data influence the ways in which we use and interpret images in cell biology. Super-resolution images have lent support to some of our current hypotheses. But, more significantly, they have revealed unexpectedly complex processes that cannot be accounted for by the simpler models based on diffraction-limited imaging. The super-resolution imaging data challenge cell biologists to change their theoretical framework, by including, for instance, interpretations that describe multiple functions, functional errors or lack of function for cellular elements. In this context, we argue that descriptive research using super-resolution microscopy is now as necessary as hypothesis-driven research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinem Saka
- European Neuroscience Institute, DFG Center for Molecular Physiology of the Brain/Excellence Cluster, Göttingen, Germany
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47
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Abstract
Recent studies indicate that synaptic vesicles (SVs) are continuously interchanged among nearby synapses at very significant rates. These dynamics and the lack of obvious barriers confining synaptic vesicles to specific synapses would seem to challenge the ability of synapses to maintain a constant amount of synaptic vesicles over prolonged time scales. Moreover, the extensive mobilization of synaptic vesicles associated with presynaptic activity might be expected to intensify this challenge. Here we examined the ability of individual presynaptic boutons of rat hippocampal neurons to maintain their synaptic vesicle content, and the degree to which this ability is affected by continuous activity. We found that the synaptic vesicle content of individual boutons belonging to the same axons gradually changed over several hours, and that these changes occurred independently of activity. Intermittent stimulation for 1 h accelerated rates of vesicle pool size change. Interestingly, however, following stimulation cessation, vesicle pool size change rates gradually converged with basal change rates. Over similar time scales, active zones (AZs) exhibited substantial remodeling; yet, unlike synaptic vesicles, AZ remodeling was not affected by the stimulation paradigms used here. These findings indicate that enhanced activity levels can increase synaptic vesicle redistribution among nearby synapses, but also highlight the presence of forces that act to restore particular set points in terms of SV contents, and support a role for active zones in preserving such set points. These findings also indicate, however, that neither AZ size nor SV content set points are particularly stable, questioning the long-term tenacity of presynaptic specializations.
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Ellis-Davies GCR, Pugh EN. The 64th Symposium of the Society for General Physiologists: optogenetics and superresolution microscopy take center stage. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 138:1-11. [PMID: 21708951 PMCID: PMC3135327 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201110673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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MacGillavry HD, Kerr JM, Blanpied TA. Lateral organization of the postsynaptic density. Mol Cell Neurosci 2011; 48:321-31. [PMID: 21920440 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2011.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2011] [Revised: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fast excitatory synaptic transmission is mediated by AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). It is widely accepted that the number of AMPARs in the postsynaptic density (PSD) critically determines the efficiency of synaptic transmission, but an unappreciated aspect of synapse organization is the lateral positioning of AMPARs within the PSD, that is, their distribution across the face of a single synapse. Receptor lateral positioning is important in a number of processes, most notably because alignment with presynaptic release sites heavily influences the probability of receptor activation. In this review, we summarize current understanding of the mechanisms that dynamically control the subsynaptic positioning of AMPARs. This field is still at early stages, but the recent wave of developments in super-resolution microscopy, synapse tomography, and computational modeling now enable the study of lateral protein distribution and dynamics within the nanometer-scale boundaries of the PSD. We discuss data available measuring the lateral distribution of glutamate receptors and scaffold proteins within the PSD, and discuss potential mechanisms that might give rise to these patterns. Elucidating the mechanisms that underlie the lateral organization of the PSD will be critical to improve our understanding of synaptic processes whose disruption may be unexpectedly important in neurological disorders. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Membrane Trafficking and Cytoskeletal Dynamics in 'Neuronal Function'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold D MacGillavry
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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50
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Abstract
Chemical synapses contain substantial numbers of neurotransmitter-filled synaptic vesicles, ranging from approximately 100 to many thousands. The vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to release neurotransmitter and are subsequently reformed and recycled. Stimulation of synapses in vitro generally causes the majority of the synaptic vesicles to release neurotransmitter, leading to the assumption that synapses contain numerous vesicles to sustain transmission during high activity. We tested this assumption by an approach we termed cellular ethology, monitoring vesicle function in behaving animals (10 animal models, nematodes to mammals). Using FM dye photooxidation, pHluorin imaging, and HRP uptake we found that only approximately 1-5% of the vesicles recycled over several hours, in both CNS synapses and neuromuscular junctions. These vesicles recycle repeatedly, intermixing slowly (over hours) with the reserve vesicles. The latter can eventually release when recycling is inhibited in vivo but do not seem to participate under normal activity. Vesicle recycling increased only to ≈ 5% in animals subjected to an extreme stress situation (frog predation on locusts). Synapsin, a molecule binding both vesicles and the cytoskeleton, may be a marker for the reserve vesicles: the proportion of vesicles recycling in vivo increased to 30% in synapsin-null Drosophila. We conclude that synapses do not require numerous reserve vesicles to sustain neurotransmitter release and thus may use them for other purposes, examined in the accompanying paper.
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