Stable and Flexible Synaptic Transmission Controlled by the Active Zone Protein Interactions
An action potential triggers neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles docking to a specialized release site of the presynaptic plasma membrane, the active zone. The active zone is a highly organized structure with proteins that serves as a platform for synaptic vesicle exocytosis, mediated by...
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| Format: | article |
| Language: | EN |
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MDPI AG
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doaj.org/article/03ccb82b816947e3993d4f121749fc44 |
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| Summary: | An action potential triggers neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles docking to a specialized release site of the presynaptic plasma membrane, the active zone. The active zone is a highly organized structure with proteins that serves as a platform for synaptic vesicle exocytosis, mediated by SNAREs complex and Ca<sup>2+</sup> sensor proteins, within a sub-millisecond opening of nearby Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels with the membrane depolarization. In response to incoming neuronal signals, each active zone protein plays a role in the release-ready site replenishment with synaptic vesicles for sustainable synaptic transmission. The active zone release apparatus provides a possible link between neuronal activity and plasticity. This review summarizes the mostly physiological role of active zone protein interactions that control synaptic strength, presynaptic short-term plasticity, and homeostatic synaptic plasticity. |
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