RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Naked Dense Bodies Provoke Depression
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 14340
OP 14345
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2495-10.2010
VO 30
IS 43
A1 Hallermann, Stefan
A1 Kittel, Robert J.
A1 Wichmann, Carolin
A1 Weyhersmüller, Annika
A1 Fouquet, Wernher
A1 Mertel, Sara
A1 Owald, David
A1 Eimer, Stefan
A1 Depner, Harald
A1 Schwärzel, Martin
A1 Sigrist, Stephan J.
A1 Heckmann, Manfred
YR 2010
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/30/43/14340.abstract
AB At presynaptic active zones (AZs), the frequently observed tethering of synaptic vesicles to an electron-dense cytomatrix represents a process of largely unknown functional significance. Here, we identified a hypomorphic allele, brpnude, lacking merely the last 1% of the C-terminal amino acids (17 of 1740) of the active zone protein Bruchpilot. In brpnude, electron-dense bodies were properly shaped, though entirely bare of synaptic vesicles. While basal glutamate release was unchanged, paired-pulse and sustained stimulation provoked depression. Furthermore, rapid recovery following sustained release was slowed. Our results causally link, with intramolecular precision, the tethering of vesicles at the AZ cytomatrix to synaptic depression.