A Post-Docking Role of Synaptotagmin 1-C2B Domain Bottom Residues R398/399 in Mouse Chromaffin Cells

Mutations of Single Residues in the Complexin N-terminus Exhibit Distinct Phenotypes in Synaptic Vesicle Fusion

The release of neurotransmitters (NTs) at central synapses is dependent on a cascade of protein interactions, specific to the presynaptic compartment. Among those dedicated molecules, the cytosolic complexins play an incompletely defined role as synaptic transmission regulators. Complexins are multidomain proteins that bind soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor complexes, conferring both inhibitory and stimulatory functions. Using systematic mutagenesis and comparing reconstituted in vitro membrane fusion assays with electrophysiology in cultured neurons from mice of either sex, we deciphered the function of the N-terminus of complexin (Cpx) II. The N-terminus (amino acid 1-27) starts with a region enriched in hydrophobic amino acids (1-12), which binds lipids. Mutants maintaining this hydrophobic character retained the stimulatory function of Cpx, whereas exchanges introducing charged residues perturbed both spontaneous and evoked exocytosis. Mutants in the more distal region of the N-terminal domain (amino acid 11-18) showed a spectrum of effects. On the one hand, mutation of residue A12 increased spontaneous release without affecting evoked release. On the other hand, replacing D15 with amino acids of different shapes or hydrophobic properties (but not charge) not only increased spontaneous release but also impaired evoked release. Most surprising, this substitution reduced the size of the readily releasable pool, a novel function for Cpx at mammalian synapses. Thus, the exact amino acid composition of the Cpx N-terminus fine-tunes the degree of spontaneous and evoked NT release.

SNAP25 disease mutations change the energy landscape for synaptic exocytosis due to aberrant SNARE interactions

SNAP25 is one of three neuronal SNAREs driving synaptic vesicle exocytosis. We studied three mutations in SNAP25 that cause epileptic encephalopathy: V48F, and D166Y in the synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1)-binding interface, and I67N, which destabilizes the SNARE complex. All three mutations reduced Syt1-dependent vesicle docking to SNARE-carrying liposomes and Ca2+-stimulated membrane fusion in vitro and when expressed in mouse hippocampal neurons. The V48F and D166Y mutants (with potency D166Y > V48F) led to reduced readily releasable pool (RRP) size, due to increased spontaneous (miniature Excitatory Postsynaptic Current, mEPSC) release and decreased priming rates. These mutations lowered the energy barrier for fusion and increased the release probability, which are gain-of-function features not found in Syt1 knockout (KO) neurons; normalized mEPSC release rates were higher (potency D166Y > V48F) than in the Syt1 KO. These mutations (potency D166Y > V48F) increased spontaneous association to partner SNAREs, resulting in unregulated membrane fusion. In contrast, the I67N mutant decreased mEPSC frequency and evoked EPSC amplitudes due to an increase in the height of the energy barrier for fusion, whereas the RRP size was unaffected. This could be partly compensated by positive charges lowering the energy barrier. Overall, pathogenic mutations in SNAP25 cause complex changes in the energy landscape for priming and fusion.

Single residues in the complexin N-terminus exhibit distinct phenotypes in synaptic vesicle fusion

The release of neurotransmitters at central synapses is dependent on a cascade of protein interactions, specific to the presynaptic compartment. Amongst those dedicated molecules the cytosolic complexins play an incompletely defined role as synaptic transmission regulators. Complexins are multidomain SNARE complex binding proteins which confer both inhibitory and stimulatory functions. Using systematic mutagenesis and combining reconstituted in vitro membrane fusion assays with electrophysiology in neurons, we deciphered the function of the N-terminus of complexin II (Cpx). The N-terminus (amino acid 1 - 27) starts with a region enriched in hydrophobic amino acids (1-12), which can lead to lipid binding. In contrast to mutants which maintain the hydrophobic character and the stimulatory function of Cpx, non-conservative exchanges largely perturbed spontaneous and evoked exocytosis. Mutants in the downstream region (amino acid 11-18) show differential effects. Cpx-A12W increased spontaneous release without affecting evoked release whereas replacing D15 with amino acids of different shapes or hydrophobic properties (but not charge) not only increased spontaneous release, but also impaired evoked release and surprisingly reduced the size of the readily releasable pool, a novel Cpx function, unanticipated from previous studies. Thus, the exact amino acid composition of the Cpx N-terminus fine tunes the degree of spontaneous and evoked neurotransmitter release.

Significance Statement

We describe in this work the importance of the N-terminal domain of the small regulatory cytosolic protein complexin in spontaneous and evoked glutamatergic neurotransmitter release at hippocampal mouse neurons. We show using a combination of biochemical, imaging and electrophysiological techniques that the binding of the proximal region of complexin (amino acids 1-10) to lipids is crucial for spontaneous synaptic vesicular release. Furthermore, we identify a single amino acid at position D15 which is structurally important since it not only is involved in spontaneous release but, when mutated, also decreases drastically the readily releasable pool, a function that was never attributed to complexin.

Allosteric stabilization of calcium and phosphoinositide dual binding engages several synaptotagmins in fast exocytosis

Synaptic communication relies on the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane, which leads to neurotransmitter release. This exocytosis is triggered by brief and local elevations of intracellular Ca²⁺ with remarkably high sensitivity. How this is molecularly achieved is unknown. While synaptotagmins confer the Ca²⁺ sensitivity of neurotransmitter exocytosis, biochemical measurements reported Ca²⁺ affinities too low to account for synaptic function. However, synaptotagmin’s Ca²⁺ affinity increases upon binding the plasma membrane phospholipid PI(4,5)P₂ and, vice versa, Ca²⁺ binding increases synaptotagmin’s PI(4,5)P₂ affinity, indicating a stabilization of the Ca²⁺/PI(4,5)P₂ dual-bound state. Here, we devise a molecular exocytosis model based on this positive allosteric stabilization and the assumptions that (1.) synaptotagmin Ca²⁺/PI(4,5)P₂ dual binding lowers the energy barrier for vesicle fusion and that (2.) the effect of multiple synaptotagmins on the energy barrier is additive. The model, which relies on biochemically measured Ca²⁺/PI(4,5)P₂ affinities and protein copy numbers, reproduced the steep Ca²⁺ dependency of neurotransmitter release. Our results indicate that each synaptotagmin engaging in Ca²⁺/PI(4,5)P₂ dual-binding lowers the energy barrier for vesicle fusion by ~5 k_BT and that allosteric stabilization of this state enables the synchronized engagement of several (typically three) synaptotagmins for fast exocytosis. Furthermore, we show that mutations altering synaptotagmin’s allosteric properties may show dominant-negative effects, even though synaptotagmins act independently on the energy barrier, and that dynamic changes of local PI(4,5)P₂ (e.g. upon vesicle movement) dramatically impact synaptic responses. We conclude that allosterically stabilized Ca²⁺/PI(4,5)P₂ dual binding enables synaptotagmins to exert their coordinated function in neurotransmission.

For our brains and nervous systems to work properly, the nerve cells within them must be able to ‘talk’ to each other. They do this by releasing chemical signals called neurotransmitters which other cells can detect and respond to.

Neurotransmitters are packaged in tiny membrane-bound spheres called vesicles. When a cell of the nervous system needs to send a signal to its neighbours, the vesicles fuse with the outer membrane of the cell, discharging their chemical contents for other cells to detect. The initial trigger for neurotransmitter release is a short, fast increase in the amount of calcium ions inside the signalling cell. One of the main proteins that helps regulate this process is synaptotagmin which binds to calcium and gives vesicles the signal to start unloading their chemicals.

Despite acting as a calcium sensor, synaptotagmin actually has a very low affinity for calcium ions by itself, meaning that it would not be efficient for the protein to respond alone. Synpatotagmin is more likely to bind to calcium if it is attached to a molecule called PIP₂, which is found in the membranes of cells The effect also occurs in reverse, as the binding of calcium to synaptotagmin increases the protein’s affinity for PIP₂. However, how these three molecules – synaptotagmin, PIP₂, and calcium – work together to achieve the physiological release of neurotransmitters is poorly understood.

To help answer this question, Kobbersmed, Berns et al. set up a computer simulation of ‘virtual vesicles’ using available experimental data on synaptotagmin’s affinity with calcium and PIP₂. In this simulation, synaptotagmin could only trigger the release of neurotransmitters when bound to both calcium and PIP₂. The model also showed that each ‘complex’ of synaptotagmin/calcium/PIP₂ made the vesicles more likely to fuse with the outer membrane of the cell – to the extent that only a handful of synaptotagmin molecules were needed to start neurotransmitter release from a single vesicle.

These results shed new light on a biological process central to the way nerve cells communicate with each other. In the future, Kobbersmed, Berns et al. hope that this insight will help us to understand the cause of diseases where communication in the nervous system is impaired.

Complexin Suppresses Spontaneous Exocytosis by Capturing the Membrane-Proximal Regions of VAMP2 and SNAP25

The neuronal protein complexin contains multiple domains that exert clamping and facilitatory functions to tune spontaneous and action potential-triggered synaptic release. We address the clamping mechanism and show that the accessory helix of complexin arrests assembly of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex that forms the core machinery of intracellular membrane fusion. In a reconstituted fusion assay, site-and stage-specific photo-cross-linking reveals that, prior to fusion, the complexin accessory helix laterally binds the membrane-proximal C-terminal ends of SNAP25 and VAMP2. Corresponding complexin interface mutants selectively increase spontaneous release of neuro-transmitters in living neurons, implying that the accessory helix suppresses final zippering/assembly of the SNARE four-helix bundle by restraining VAMP2 and SNAP25.

Synaptotagmin-7 places dense-core vesicles at the cell membrane to promote Munc13-2- and Ca2+-dependent priming

Synaptotagmins confer calcium-dependence to the exocytosis of secretory vesicles, but how coexpressed synaptotagmins interact remains unclear. We find that synaptotagmin-1 and synaptotagmin-7 when present alone act as standalone fast and slow Ca²⁺-sensors for vesicle fusion in mouse chromaffin cells. When present together, synaptotagmin-1 and synaptotagmin-7 are found in largely non-overlapping clusters on dense-core vesicles. Synaptotagmin-7 stimulates Ca²⁺-dependent vesicle priming and inhibits depriming, and it promotes ubMunc13-2- and phorbolester-dependent priming, especially at low resting calcium concentrations. The priming effect of synaptotagmin-7 increases the number of vesicles fusing via synaptotagmin-1, while negatively affecting their fusion speed, indicating both synergistic and competitive interactions between synaptotagmins. Synaptotagmin-7 places vesicles in close membrane apposition (<6 nm); without it, vesicles accumulate out of reach of the fusion complex (20-40 nm). We suggest that a synaptotagmin-7-dependent movement toward the membrane is involved in Munc13-2/phorbolester/Ca²⁺-dependent priming as a prelude to fast and slow exocytosis triggering.

Post-tetanic potentiation lowers the energy barrier for synaptic vesicle fusion independently of Synaptotagmin-1

Previously, we showed that modulation of the energy barrier for synaptic vesicle fusion boosts release rates supralinearly (Schotten, 2015). Here we show that mouse hippocampal synapses employ this principle to trigger Ca²⁺-dependent vesicle release and post-tetanic potentiation (PTP). We assess energy barrier changes by fitting release kinetics in response to hypertonic sucrose. Mimicking activation of the C2A domain of the Ca²⁺-sensor Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1), by adding a positive charge (Syt1^D232N) or increasing its hydrophobicity (Syt1^4W), lowers the energy barrier. Removing Syt1 or impairing its release inhibitory function (Syt1^9Pro) increases spontaneous release without affecting the fusion barrier. Both phorbol esters and tetanic stimulation potentiate synaptic strength, and lower the energy barrier equally well in the presence and absence of Syt1. We propose a model where tetanic stimulation activates Syt1-independent mechanisms that lower the energy barrier and act additively with Syt1-dependent mechanisms to produce PTP by exerting multiplicative effects on release rates.

An Electrostatic Energy Barrier for SNARE-Dependent Spontaneous and Evoked Synaptic Transmission

Information transfer across CNS synapses depends on the very low basal vesicle fusion rate and the ability to rapidly upregulate that rate upon Ca²⁺ influx. We show that local electrostatic repulsion participates in creating an energy barrier, which limits spontaneous synaptic transmission. The barrier amplitude is increased by negative charges and decreased by positive charges on the SNARE-complex surface. Strikingly, the effect of charges on the barrier is additive and this extends to evoked transmission, but with a shallower charge dependence. Action potential-driven synaptic release is equivalent to the abrupt addition of ∼35 positive charges to the fusion machine. Within an electrostatic model for triggering, the Ca²⁺ sensor synaptotagmin-1 contributes ∼18 charges by binding Ca²⁺, while also modulating the fusion barrier at rest. Thus, the energy barrier for synaptic vesicle fusion has a large electrostatic component, allowing synaptotagmin-1 to act as an electrostatic switch and modulator to trigger vesicle fusion.

Endophilin-A coordinates priming and fusion of neurosecretory vesicles via intersectin

Endophilins-A are conserved endocytic adaptors with membrane curvature-sensing and -inducing properties. We show here that, independently of their role in endocytosis, endophilin-A1 and endophilin-A2 regulate exocytosis of neurosecretory vesicles. The number and distribution of neurosecretory vesicles were not changed in chromaffin cells lacking endophilin-A, yet fast capacitance and amperometry measurements revealed reduced exocytosis, smaller vesicle pools and altered fusion kinetics. The levels and distributions of the main exocytic and endocytic factors were unchanged, and slow compensatory endocytosis was not robustly affected. Endophilin-A’s role in exocytosis is mediated through its SH3-domain, specifically via a direct interaction with intersectin-1, a coordinator of exocytic and endocytic traffic. Endophilin-A not able to bind intersectin-1, and intersectin-1 not able to bind endophilin-A, resulted in similar exocytic defects in chromaffin cells. Altogether, we report that two endocytic proteins, endophilin-A and intersectin-1, are enriched on neurosecretory vesicles and regulate exocytosis by coordinating neurosecretory vesicle priming and fusion.

Endophilins-A are conserved membrane-associated proteins required for endocytosis. Here, the authors report that endophilins-A also promote exocytosis of neurosecretory vesicles by coordinating priming and fusion through intersectin-1, independently of their roles in different types of endocytosis.

Synaptotagmin-1 enables frequency coding by suppressing asynchronous release in a temperature dependent manner

To support frequency-coded information transfer, mammalian synapses tightly synchronize neurotransmitter release to action potentials (APs). However, release desynchronizes during AP trains, especially at room temperature. Here we show that suppression of asynchronous release by Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1), but not release triggering, is highly temperature sensitive, and enhances synchronous release during high-frequency stimulation. In Syt1-deficient synapses, asynchronous release increased with temperature, opposite to wildtype synapses. Mutations in Syt1 C2B-domain polybasic stretch (Syt1 K326Q,K327Q,K331Q) did not affect synchronization during sustained activity, while the previously observed reduced synchronous response to a single AP was confirmed. However, an inflexible linker between the C2-domains (Syt1 9Pro) reduced suppression, without affecting synchronous release upon a single AP. Syt1 9Pro expressing synapses showed impaired synchronization during AP trains, which was rescued by buffering global Ca²⁺ to prevent asynchronous release. Hence, frequency coding relies on Syt1's temperature sensitive suppression of asynchronous release, an aspect distinct from its known vesicle recruitment and triggering functions.

Mechanism of neurotransmitter release coming into focus

Research for three decades and major recent advances have provided crucial insights into how neurotransmitters are released by Ca²⁺ -triggered synaptic vesicle exocytosis, leading to reconstitution of basic steps that underlie Ca²⁺ -dependent membrane fusion and yielding a model that assigns defined functions for central components of the release machinery. The soluble N-ethyl maleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) syntaxin-1, SNAP-25, and synaptobrevin-2 form a tight SNARE complex that brings the vesicle and plasma membranes together and is key for membrane fusion. N-ethyl maleimide sensitive factor (NSF) and soluble NSF attachment proteins (SNAPs) disassemble the SNARE complex to recycle the SNAREs for another round of fusion. Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 orchestrate SNARE complex formation in an NSF-SNAP-resistant manner by a mechanism whereby Munc18-1 binds to synaptobrevin and to a self-inhibited "closed" conformation of syntaxin-1, thus forming a template to assemble the SNARE complex, and Munc13-1 facilitates assembly by bridging the vesicle and plasma membranes and catalyzing opening of syntaxin-1. Synaptotagmin-1 functions as the major Ca²⁺ sensor that triggers release by binding to membrane phospholipids and to the SNAREs, in a tight interplay with complexins that accelerates membrane fusion. Many of these proteins act as both inhibitors and activators of exocytosis, which is critical for the exquisite regulation of neurotransmitter release. It is still unclear how the actions of these various proteins and multiple other components that control release are integrated and, in particular, how they induce membrane fusion, but it can be expected that these fundamental questions can be answered in the near future, building on the extensive knowledge already available.

Synaptotagmin-1 drives synchronous Ca2+-triggered fusion by C2B-domain-mediated synaptic-vesicle-membrane attachment

The synaptic vesicle (SV) protein Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) is the Ca²⁺ sensor for fast synchronous release. Biochemical and structural data suggest that Syt1 interacts with phospholipids and SNARE complex, but how these interactions translate into SV fusion remains poorly understood. Utilizing flash-and-freeze electron microscopy, which triggers action potentials (AP) with light and coordinately arrests synaptic structures with rapid freezing, we found synchronous release-impairing mutations in the Syt1 C₂B domain (K325, 327; R398, 399) to also disrupt SV-active zone plasma membrane attachment. Single AP induction rescued membrane attachment in these mutants within <10ms through activation of the Syt1 Ca²⁺ binding site. The rapid SV membrane translocation temporarily correlates with resynchronization of release and paired pulse facilitation. Based on these findings, we redefine the role of Syt1 as part of Ca²⁺-dependent vesicle translocation machinery, and propose that Syt1 enables fast neurotransmitter release by means of its dynamic membrane attachment activities.

Circular oligomerization is an intrinsic property of synaptotagmin

Previously, we showed that synaptotagmin1 (Syt1) forms Ca²⁺-sensitive ring-like oligomers on membranes containing acidic lipids and proposed a potential role in regulating neurotransmitter release (Zanetti et al., 2016). Here, we report that Syt1 assembles into similar ring-like oligomers in solution when triggered by naturally occurring polyphosphates (PIP2 and ATP) and magnesium ions (Mg²⁺). These soluble Syt1 rings were observed by electron microscopy and independently demonstrated and quantified using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Oligomerization is triggered when polyphosphates bind to the polylysine patch in C2B domain and is stabilized by Mg²⁺, which neutralizes the Ca²⁺-binding aspartic acids that likely contribute to the C2B interface in the oligomer. Overall, our data show that ring-like polymerization is an intrinsic property of Syt1 with reasonable affinity that can be triggered by the vesicle docking C2B-PIP2 interaction and raise the possibility that Syt1 rings could pre-form on the synaptic vesicle to facilitate docking.

Interactions Between SNAP-25 and Synaptotagmin-1 Are Involved in Vesicle Priming, Clamping Spontaneous and Stimulating Evoked Neurotransmission

Whether interactions between synaptotagmin-1 (syt-1) and the soluble NSF attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) are required during neurotransmission is debated. We examined five SNAP-25 mutations designed to interfere with syt-1 interactions. One mutation, D51/E52/E55A, targeted negative charges within region II of the primary interface (Zhou et al., 2015); two mutations targeted region I (D166A and D166/E170A) and one mutation targeted both (D51/E52/E55/D166A). The final mutation (D186/D193A) targeted C-terminal residues not expected to interact with syt-1. An in vitro assay showed that the region I, region II, and region I+II (D51/E52/E55/D166A) mutants markedly reduced the attachment between syt-1 and t-SNARE-carrying vesicles in the absence of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P₂]. In the presence of PI(4,5)P₂, vesicle attachment was unaffected by mutation. When expressed in Snap-25-null mouse autaptic neurons, region I mutations reduced the size of the readily releasable pool of vesicles, whereas the region II mutation reduced vesicular release probability. Combining both in the D51/E52/E55/D166A mutation abrogated evoked release. These data point to a division of labor between region I (vesicle priming) and region II (evoked release). Spontaneous release was disinhibited by region I mutations and found to correlate with defective complexin (Cpx) clamping in an in vitro fusion assay, pointing to an interdependent role of synaptotagmin and Cpx in release clamping. Mutation in region II (D51/E52/E55A) also unclamped release, but this effect could be overcome by synaptotagmin overexpression, arguing against an obligatory role in clamping. We conclude that three synaptic release functions of syt-1, vesicle priming, spontaneous release clamping, and evoked release triggering, depend on direct SNARE complex interaction.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The function of synaptotagmin-1 (syt-1):soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) interactions during neurotransmission remains unclear. We mutated SNAP-25 within the recently identified region I and region II of the primary synaptotagmin:SNARE interface. Using in vitro assays and rescue experiments in autaptic neurons, we show that interactions within region II of the primary interface are necessary for synchronized calcium-triggered release, whereas region I is involved in vesicle priming. Spontaneous release was disinhibited by region I mutation and found to correlate with defective complexin (Cpx) clamping in vitro, pointing to an interdependent role of synaptotagmin and Cpx in release clamping. Therefore, vesicle priming, clamping spontaneous release, and eliciting evoked release are three different functions of syt-1 that involve different interaction modes with the SNARE complex.

Extension of Helix 12 in Munc18-1 Induces Vesicle Priming

Munc18-1 is essential for vesicle fusion and participates in the docking of large dense-core vesicles to the plasma membrane. Recent structural data suggest that conformational changes in the 12th helix of the Munc18-1 domain 3a within the Munc18-1:syntaxin complex result in an additional interaction with synaptobrevin-2/VAMP2 (vesicle-associated membrane protein 2), leading to SNARE complex formation. To test this hypothesis in living cells, we examined secretion from Munc18-1-null mouse adrenal chromaffin cells expressing Munc18-1 mutants designed to either perturb the extension of helix 12 (Δ324-339), block its interaction with synaptobrevin-2 (L348R), or extend the helix to promote coil-coil interactions with other proteins (P335A). The mutants rescued vesicle docking and syntaxin-1 targeting to the plasma membrane, with the exception of P335A that only supported partial syntaxin-1 targeting. Disruptive mutations (L348R or Δ324-339) lowered the secretory amplitude by decreasing vesicle priming, whereas P335A markedly increased priming and secretory amplitude. The mutants displayed unchanged kinetics and Ca(2+) dependence of fusion, indicating that the mutations specifically affect the vesicle priming step. Mutation of a nearby tyrosine (Y337A), which interacts with closed syntaxin-1, mildly increased secretory amplitude. This correlated with results from an in vitro fusion assay probing the functions of Munc18-1, indicating an easier transition to the extended state in the mutant. Our findings support the notion that a conformational transition within the Munc18-1 domain 3a helix 12 leads to opening of a closed Munc18-1:syntaxin complex, followed by productive SNARE complex assembly and vesicle priming.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The essential postdocking role of Munc18-1 in vesicular exocytosis has remained elusive, but recent data led to the hypothesis that the extension of helix 12 in Munc18 within domain 3a leads to synaptobrevin-2/VAMP2 interaction and SNARE complex formation. Using both lack-of-function and gain-of-function mutants, we here report that the conformation of helix 12 predicts vesicle priming and secretory amplitude in living chromaffin cells. The effects of mutants on secretion could not be explained by differences in syntaxin-1 chaperoning/localization or vesicle docking, and the fusion kinetics and calcium dependence were unchanged, indicating that the effect of helix 12 extension is specific for the vesicle-priming step. We conclude that a conformational change within helix 12 is responsible for the essential postdocking role of Munc18-1 in neurosecretion.

Pull-down combined with proteomic strategy reveals functional diversity of synaptotagmin I

Synaptotagmin I (Syt I) is most abundant in the brain and is involved in multiple cellular processes. Its two C2 domains, C2A and C2B, are the main functional regions. Our present study employed a pull-down combined with proteomic strategy to identify the C2 domain-interacting proteins to comprehensively understand the biological roles of the C2 domains and thus the functional diversity of Syt I. A total of 135 non-redundant proteins interacting with the C2 domains of Syt I were identified. Out of them, 32 and 64 proteins only bound to C2A or C2B domains, respectively, and 39 proteins bound to both of them. Compared with C2A, C2B could bind to many more proteins particularly those involved in synaptic transmission and metabolic regulation. Functional analysis indicated that Syt I may exert impacts by interacting with other proteins on multiple cellular processes, including vesicular membrane trafficking, synaptic transmission, metabolic regulation, catalysis, transmembrane transport and structure formation, etc. These results demonstrate that the functional diversity of Syt I is higher than previously expected, that its two domains may mediate the same and different cellular processes cooperatively or independently, and that C2B domain may play even more important roles than C2A in the functioning of Syt I. This work not only further deepened our understanding of the functional diversity of Syt I and the functional differences between its two C2 domains, but also provided important clues for the further related researches.

Ring-like oligomers of Synaptotagmins and related C2 domain proteins

We recently reported that the C2AB portion of Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) could self-assemble into Ca(2+)-sensitive ring-like oligomers on membranes, which could potentially regulate neurotransmitter release. Here we report that analogous ring-like oligomers assemble from the C2AB domains of other Syt isoforms (Syt2, Syt7, Syt9) as well as related C2 domain containing protein, Doc2B and extended Synaptotagmins (E-Syts). Evidently, circular oligomerization is a general and conserved structural aspect of many C2 domain proteins, including Synaptotagmins. Further, using electron microscopy combined with targeted mutations, we show that under physiologically relevant conditions, both the Syt1 ring assembly and its rapid disruption by Ca(2+) involve the well-established functional surfaces on the C2B domain that are important for synaptic transmission. Our data suggests that ring formation may be triggered at an early step in synaptic vesicle docking and positions Syt1 to synchronize neurotransmitter release to Ca(2+) influx.