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The core membrane fusion complex governs the probability of synaptic vesicle fusion but not transmitter release kinetics.

The core membrane fusion complex governs the probability of synaptic vesicle fusion but not transmitter release kinetics.

Authors :
Finley MF
Patel SM
Madison DV
Scheller RH
Source :
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience [J Neurosci] 2002 Feb 15; Vol. 22 (4), pp. 1266-72.
Publication Year :
2002

Abstract

Synaptic vesicle fusion is driven by the formation of a four-helical bundle composed of soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptors (SNAREs). Exactly how the structural interactions that lead to the formation of this complex relate to neurotransmitter release is not well understood. To address this question, we used a strategy to "rescue" synaptic transmission after proteolytic cleavage of the synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) by botulinum neurotoxin E (BoNtE). Transfection of CA3 hippocampal pyramidal cells with BoNtE-resistant SNAP-25 restored synaptic transmission. Additional mutations that alter the interaction between SNAP-25 C-terminal coil and the other SNARE coils dramatically reduce transmitter release probability but leave the kinetics of synaptic responses unaltered. These data indicate that at synapses, SNARE interactions are necessary for fusion but are not the rate-limiting step of neurotransmission.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1529-2401
Volume :
22
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
11850454