Regulation of synaptic vesicle docking by different classes of macromolecules in active zone material

The docking of synaptic vesicles at active zones on the presynaptic plasma membrane of axon terminals is essential for their fusion with the membrane and exocytosis of their neurotransmitter to mediate synaptic impulse transmission. Dense networks of macromolecules, called active zone material, (AZM) are attached to the presynaptic membrane next to docked vesicles. Electron tomography has shown that some AZM macromolecules are connected to docked vesicles, leading to the suggestion that AZM is somehow involved in the docking process. We used electron tomography on the simply arranged active zones at frog neuromuscular junctions to characterize the connections of AZM to docked synaptic vesicles and to search for the establishment of such connections during vesicle docking. We show that each docked vesicle is connected to 10-15 AZM macromolecules, which fall into four classes based on several criteria including their position relative to the presynaptic membrane. In activated axon terminals fixed during replacement of docked vesicles by previously undocked vesicles, undocked vesicles near vacated docking sites on the presynaptic membrane have connections to the same classes of AZM macromolecules that are connected to docked vesicles in resting terminals. The number of classes and the total number of macromolecules to which the undocked vesicles are connected are inversely proportional to the vesicles' distance from the presynaptic membrane. We conclude that vesicle movement toward and maintenance at docking sites on the presynaptic membrane are directed by an orderly succession of stable interactions between the vesicles and distinct classes of AZM macromolecules positioned at different distances from the membrane. Establishing the number, arrangement and sequence of association of AZM macromolecules involved in vesicle docking provides an anatomical basis for testing and extending concepts of docking mechanisms provided by biochemistry.     

The structure and function of ‘active zone material’ at synapses

The docking of synaptic vesicles on the presynaptic membrane and their priming for fusion with it to mediate synaptic transmission of nerve impulses typically occur at structurally specialized regions on the membrane called active zones. Stable components of active zones include aggregates of macromolecules, ‘active zone material’ (AZM), attached to the presynaptic membrane, and aggregates of Ca²⁺-channels in the membrane, through which Ca²⁺ enters the cytosol to trigger impulse-evoked vesicle fusion with the presynaptic membrane by interacting with Ca²⁺-sensors on the vesicles. This laboratory has used electron tomography to study, at macromolecular spatial resolution, the structure and function of AZM at the simply arranged active zones of axon terminals at frog neuromuscular junctions. The results support the conclusion that AZM directs the docking and priming of synaptic vesicles and essential positioning of Ca²⁺-channels relative to the vesicles'' Ca²⁺-sensors. Here we review the findings and comment on their applicability to understanding mechanisms of docking, priming and Ca²⁺-triggering at other synapses, where the arrangement of active zone components differs.     

Calcium-regulated exocytosis is required for cell membrane resealing

Using confocal microscopy, we visualized exocytosis during membrane resealing in sea urchin eggs and embryos. Upon wounding by a laser beam, both eggs and embryos showed a rapid burst of localized Ca(2+)- regulated exocytosis. The rate of exocytosis was correlated quantitatively with successfully resealing. In embryos, whose activated surfaces must first dock vesicles before fusion, exocytosis and membrane resealing were inhibited by neurotoxins that selectively cleave the SNARE complex proteins, synaptobrevin, SNAP-25, and syntaxin. In eggs, whose cortical vesicles are already docked, vesicles could be reversibly undocked with externally applied stachyose. If cortical vesicles were undocked both exocytosis and plasma membrane resealing were completely inhibited. When cortical vesicles were transiently undocked, exposure to tetanus toxin and botulinum neurotoxin type C1 rendered them no longer competent for resealing, although botulinum neurotoxin type A was still ineffective. Cortical vesicles transiently undocked in the presence of tetanus toxin were subsequently fusion incompetent although to a large extent they retained their ability to redock when stachyose was diluted. We conclude that addition of internal membranes by exocytosis is required and that a SNARE-like complex plays differential roles in vesicle docking and fusion for the repair of disrupted plasma membrane.     

CHANGES IN THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION OF THE FROG CAUSED BY BLACK WIDOW SPIDER VENOM

Application of black widow spider venom to the neuromuscular junction of the frog causes an increase in the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (min.e.p.p.) and a reduction in the number of synaptic vesicles in the nerve terminal. Shortly after the increase in min.e.p.p. frequency, the presynaptic membrane of the nerve terminal has either infolded or "lifted." Examination of these infoldings or lifts reveals synaptic vesicles in various stages of fusion with the presynaptic membrane. After the supply of synaptic vesicles has been exhausted, the presynaptic membrane returns to its original position directly opposite the end-plate membrane. The terminal contains all of its usual components with the exception of the synaptic vesicles. The only other alteration of the structures making up the neuromuscular junction occurs in the axon leading to the terminal. Instead of completely filling out its Schwann sheath, the axon has pulled away and its axoplasm appears to be denser than the control. The relation of these events to the vesicle hypothesis is discussed.     

Targeting of the Synaptic Vesicle Protein Synaptobrevin in the Axon of Cultured Hippocampal Neurons: Evidence for Two Distinct Sorting Steps

Synaptic vesicles are concentrated in the distal axon, far from the site of protein synthesis. Integral membrane proteins destined for this organelle must therefore make complex targeting decisions. Short amino acid sequences have been shown to act as targeting signals directing proteins to a variety of intracellular locations. To identify synaptic vesicle targeting sequences and to follow the path that proteins travel en route to the synaptic vesicle, we have used a defective herpes virus amplicon expression system to study the targeting of a synaptobrevin-transferrin receptor (SB-TfR) chimera in cultured hippocampal neurons. Addition of the cytoplasmic domain of synaptobrevin onto human transferrin receptor was sufficient to retarget the transferrin receptor from the dendrites to presynaptic sites in the axon. At the synapse, the SB-TfR chimera did not localize to synaptic vesicles, but was instead found in an organelle with biochemical and functional characteristics of an endosome. The chimera recycled in parallel with synaptic vesicle proteins demonstrating that the nerve terminal efficiently sorts transmembrane proteins into different pathways. The synaptobrevin sequence that controls targeting to the presynaptic endosome was not localized to a single, 10– amino acid region of the molecule, indicating that this targeting signal may be encoded by a more distributed structural conformation. However, the chimera could be shifted to synaptic vesicles by deletion of amino acids 61–70 in synaptobrevin, suggesting that separate signals encode the localization of synaptobrevin to the synapse and to the synaptic vesicle.     

Synaptic Vesicle Exocytosis

Presynaptic nerve terminals release neurotransmitters by synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Membrane fusion mediating synaptic exocytosis and other intracellular membrane traffic is affected by a universal machinery that includes SNARE (for “soluble NSF-attachment protein receptor”) and SM (for “Sec1/Munc18-like”) proteins. During fusion, vesicular and target SNARE proteins assemble into an α-helical trans-SNARE complex that forces the two membranes tightly together, and SM proteins likely wrap around assembling trans-SNARE complexes to catalyze membrane fusion. After fusion, SNARE complexes are dissociated by the ATPase NSF (for “N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor”). Fusion-competent conformations of SNARE proteins are maintained by chaperone complexes composed of CSPα, Hsc70, and SGT, and by nonenzymatically acting synuclein chaperones; dysfunction of these chaperones results in neurodegeneration. The synaptic membrane-fusion machinery is controlled by synaptotagmin, and additionally regulated by a presynaptic protein matrix (the “active zone”) that includes Munc13 and RIM proteins as central components.Synaptic vesicles are uniform organelles of ∼40 nm diameter that constitute the central organelle for neurotransmitter release. Each presynaptic nerve terminal contains hundreds of synaptic vesicles that are filled with neurotransmitters. When an action potential depolarizes the presynaptic plasma membrane, Ca²⁺-channels open, and Ca²⁺ flows into the nerve terminal to trigger the exocytosis of synaptic vesicles, thereby releasing their neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft (Fig. 1). Ca²⁺ triggers exocytosis by binding to synaptotagmin; after exocytosis, vesicles are re-endocytosed, recycled, and refilled with neurotransmitters. Recycling can occur by multiple parallel pathways, either by fast recycling via local reuse of vesicles (“kiss-and-run” and “kiss-and-stay”), or by slower recycling via an endosomal intermediate (Fig. 1).Open in a separate windowFigure 1.The synaptic vesicle cycle. A presynaptic nerve terminal is depicted schematically as it contacts a postsynaptic neuron. The synaptic vesicle cycle consists of exocytosis (red arrows) followed by endocytosis and recycling (yellow arrows). Synaptic vesicles (green circles) are filled with neurotransmitters (NT; red dots) by active transport (neurotransmitter uptake) fueled by an electrochemical gradient established by a proton pump that acidifies the vesicle interior (vesicle acidification; green background). In preparation to synaptic exocytosis, synaptic vesicles are docked at the active zone, and primed by an ATP-dependent process that renders the vesicles competent to respond to a Ca²⁺-signal. When an action potential depolarizes the presynaptic membrane, Ca²⁺-channels open, causing a local increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ at the active zone that triggers completion of the fusion reaction. Released neurotransmitters then bind to receptors associated with the postsynaptic density (PSD). After fusion pore opening, synaptic vesicles probably recycle via three alternative pathways: local refilling with neurotransmitters without undocking (“kiss-and-stay”), local recycling with undocking (“kiss-and-run”), and full recycling of vesicles with passage through an endosomal intermediate. (Adapted from Südhof 2004.)Due to their small size, synaptic vesicles contain a limited complement of proteins that have been described in detail (Südhof 2004; Takamori et al. 2006). Although the functions of several vesicle components remain to be identified, most vesicle components participate in one of three processes: neurotransmitter uptake and storage, vesicle exocytosis, and vesicle endocytosis and recycling. In addition, it is likely that at least some vesicle proteins are involved in the biogenesis of synaptic vesicles and the maintenance of their exquisite uniformity and stability, but little is known about how vesicles are made, and what determines their size.     

Resident CAPS on dense-core vesicles docks and primes vesicles for fusion

The Ca²⁺-dependent exocytosis of dense-core vesicles in neuroendocrine cells requires a priming step during which SNARE protein complexes assemble. CAPS (aka CADPS) is one of several factors required for vesicle priming; however, the localization and dynamics of CAPS at sites of exocytosis in live neuroendocrine cells has not been determined. We imaged CAPS before, during, and after single-vesicle fusion events in PC12 cells by TIRF micro­scopy. In addition to being a resident on cytoplasmic dense-core vesicles, CAPS was present in clusters of approximately nine molecules near the plasma membrane that corresponded to docked/tethered vesicles. CAPS accompanied vesicles to the plasma membrane and was present at all vesicle exocytic events. The knockdown of CAPS by shRNA eliminated the VAMP-2–dependent docking and evoked exocytosis of fusion-competent vesicles. A CAPS(ΔC135) protein that does not localize to vesicles failed to rescue vesicle docking and evoked exocytosis in CAPS-depleted cells, showing that CAPS residence on vesicles is essential. Our results indicate that dense-core vesicles carry CAPS to sites of exocytosis, where CAPS promotes vesicle docking and fusion competence, probably by initiating SNARE complex assembly.     

Vesicle cycle in the presynaptic nerve terminal

Presynaptic nerve terminals contain a great number ofsynaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitter. The transmission of information in synapses is mediated by release of transmitter from vesicles: exocytosis, after their fusion with presynaptic membrane. At the functioning synapses, the continuous recycling of synaptic vesicles occurs (vesicle cycle), which provides multiple reuse of vesicular membrane material during synaptic activity. Vesicle cycle consists of large number of steps, including vesicle fusion--exocytosis, formation of new vesicles--endocytosis, vesicle sorting, filling of vesicles with transmitter, intraterminal vesicle transport driving the vesicles to different vesicle pools and preparing to next exocytic event. At this paper, I presented the latest literature and our data regarding the steps and mechanisms of vesicle cycle at synapses. Special attention was paid to neuromuscular synapse as the most thoroughly investigated and as my favorite preparation.     

Physical Link and Functional Coupling of Presynaptic Calcium Channels and the Synaptic Vesicle Docking/Fusion Machinery

N- and P/Q-type calcium channels are localized in high density in presynaptic nerve terminals and are crucial elements in neuronal excitation–secretion coupling. In addition to mediating Ca²⁺ entry to initiate transmitter release, they are thought to interact directly with proteins of the synaptic vesicle docking/fusion machinery. As outlined in the preceding article, these calcium channels can be purified from brain as a complex with SNARE proteins which are involved in exocytosis. In addition, N-type and P/Q-type calcium channels are co-localized with syntaxin in high-density clusters in nerve terminals. Here we review the role of the synaptic protein interaction (synprint) sites in the intracellular loop II–III (L_II–III) of both _1B and _1A subunits of N-type and P/Q-type calcium channels, which bind to syntaxin, SNAP-25, and synaptotagmin. Calcium has a biphasic effect on the interactions of N-type calcium channels with SNARE complexes, stimulating optimal binding in the range of 10–20 M. PKC or CaM KII phosphorylation of the N-type synprint peptide inhibits interactions with native brain SNARE complexes containing syntaxin and SNAP-25. Introduction of the synprint peptides into presynaptic superior cervical ganglion neurons reversibly inhibits EPSPs from synchronous transmitter release by 42%. At physiological Ca²⁺ concentrations, synprint peptides cause an approximate 25% reduction in transmitter release of injected frog neuromuscular junction in cultures, consistent with detachment of 70% of the docked vesicles from calcium channels based on a theoretical model. Together, these studies suggest that presynaptic calcium channels not only provide the calcium signal required by the exocytotic machinery, but also contain structural elements that are integral to vesicle docking, priming, and fusion processes.     

An InCytes from MBC Selection: Yeast Sec1p Functions before and after Vesicle Docking

Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins bind cognate soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes and stimulate vesicle membrane fusion. Before fusion, vesicles are docked to specific target membranes. Regulation of vesicle docking is attributed to some but not all SM proteins, suggesting specialization of this earlier function. Yeast Sec1p seems to function only after vesicles are docked and SNARE complexes are assembled. Here, we show that yeast Sec1p is required before and after SNARE complex assembly, in support of general requirements for SM proteins in both vesicle docking and fusion. Two classes of sec1 mutants were isolated. Class A mutants are tightly blocked in cell growth and secretion at a step before SNARE complex assembly. Class B mutants have a SNARE complex binding defect, with a range in severity of cell growth and secretion defects. Mapping the mutations onto an SM protein structure implicates a peripheral bundle of helices for the early, docking function and a deep groove, opposite the syntaxin-binding cleft on nSec1/Munc-18, for the interaction between Sec1p and the exocytic SNARE complex.     

Interactions between Presynaptic Calcium Channels and Proteins Implicated in Synaptic Vesicle Trafficking and Exocytosis

Monoclonal antibodies were generated by immunizing mice with chick brain synaptic membranes and screening for immunoprecipitation of solubilized conotoxin GVIA receptors (N-type calcium channels). Antibodies against two synaptic proteins (p35--syntaxin 1 and p58--synaptotagmin) were produced and used to purify and characterize a ternary complex containing N-type channels associated with these two proteins. These results provided the first evidence for a specific interaction between presynaptic calcium channels and SNARE proteins involved in synaptic vesicle docking and calcium-dependent exocytosis. Immunoprecipitation experiments supported the conclusion that syntaxin 1/SNAP-25/VAMP/synaptotagmin I or II complexes associate with N-type, P/Q-type, but not L-type calcium channels from rat brain nerve terminals. Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy at the frog neuromuscular junction was consistent with the co-localization of syntaxin 1, SNAP-25, and calcium channels, all of which are predominantly expressed at active zones of the presynaptic plasma membrane facing post-synaptic folds rich in acetylcholine receptors. The interaction of proteins implicated in calcium-dependent exocytosis with presynaptic calcium channels may locate the sensor(s) that trigger vesicle fusion within a microdomain of calcium entry.     

Freeze-fracture studies of frog neuromuscular junctions during intense release of neurotransmitter. III. A morphometric analysis of the number and diameter of intramembrane particles

The intramembrane particles on the presynaptic membrane and on the membrane of synaptic vesicles were studied at freeze-fractured neuromuscular junctions of the frog. The particles on the P face of the presynaptic membrane belong to two major classes: small particles with diameters less than 9 nm and large particles with diameters between 9 and 13 nm. In addition, there were a few extralarge particles with diameters greater than 13 nm. Indirect stimulation of the muscle, or the application of black widow spider venom, decreased the concentration of small particles on the presynaptic membrane but did not change the concentration of large particles. Three similar classes of particles were found on the P face of the membrane of the synaptic vesicles. The concentrations of large and extralarge particles on the vesicle membrane were comparable to the concentrations of these particles on the presynaptic membrane, whereas the concentration of small particles on the vesicle membrane was less than than the concentration of small particles on the presynaptic membrane. These results are compatible with the idea that synaptic vesicles fuse with the presynaptic membrane when quanta of transmitter are released. However, neither the large nor the extralarge particles on the P face of the presynaptic membrane can be used to trace the movement of vesicle membrane that has been incorporated into the axolemma.     

SNAREpin Assembly by Munc18-1 Requires Previous Vesicle Docking by Synaptotagmin 1

Regulated exocytosis requires the general membrane fusion machinery-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) and Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins. Using reconstituted giant unilamellar vesicles containing preassembled t-SNARE proteins (syntaxin 1·SNAP-25), we determined how Munc18-1 controls the docking, priming, and fusion of small unilamellar vesicles containing the v-SNARE VAMP2 and the Ca(2+) sensor synaptotagmin 1. In vitro assays allowed us to position Munc18-1 in the center of a sequential reaction cascade; vesicle docking by synaptotagmin 1 is a prerequisite for Munc18-1 to accelerate trans-SNARE complex (SNAREpin) assembly and membrane fusion. Complexin II stalls SNAREpin zippering at a late stage and, hence, contributes to synchronize membrane fusion in a Ca(2+)- and synaptotagmin 1-dependent manner. Thus, at the neuronal synapse, the priming factor Munc18-1 may accelerate the conversion of docked synaptic vesicles into a readily releasable pool by activating SNAREs for efficient membrane fusion.     

Coarse-Grained Model of SNARE-Mediated Docking

Synaptic transmission requires that vesicles filled with neurotransmitter molecules be docked to the plasma membrane by the SNARE protein complex. The SNARE complex applies attractive forces to overcome the long-range repulsion between the vesicle and membrane. To understand how the balance between the attractive and repulsive forces defines the equilibrium docked state we have developed a model that combines the mechanics of vesicle/membrane deformation with an apparently new coarse-grained model of the SNARE complex. The coarse-grained model of the SNARE complex is calibrated by comparison with all-atom molecular dynamics simulations as well as by force measurements in laser tweezer experiments. The model for vesicle/membrane interactions includes the forces produced by membrane deformation and hydration or electrostatic repulsion. Combining these two parts, the coarse-grained model of the SNARE complex with membrane mechanics, we study how the equilibrium docked state varies with the number of SNARE complexes. We find that a single SNARE complex is able to bring a typical synaptic vesicle to within a distance of ∼3 nm from the membrane. Further addition of SNARE complexes shortens this distance, but an overdocked state of >4–6 SNAREs actually increases the equilibrium distance.     

Coupled ER to Golgi Transport Reconstituted with Purified Cytosolic Proteins

A cell-free vesicle fusion assay that reproduces a subreaction in transport of pro-α-factor from the ER to the Golgi complex has been used to fractionate yeast cytosol. Purified Sec18p, Uso1p, and LMA1 in the presence of ATP and GTP satisfies the requirement for cytosol in fusion of ER-derived vesicles with Golgi membranes. Although these purified factors are sufficient for vesicle docking and fusion, overall ER to Golgi transport in yeast semi-intact cells depends on COPII proteins (components of a membrane coat that drive vesicle budding from the ER). Thus, membrane fusion is coupled to vesicle formation in ER to Golgi transport even in the presence of saturating levels of purified fusion factors. Manipulation of the semi-intact cell assay is used to distinguish freely diffusible ER- derived vesicles containing pro-α-factor from docked vesicles and from fused vesicles. Uso1p mediates vesicle docking and produces a dilution resistant intermediate. Sec18p and LMA1 are not required for the docking phase, but are required for efficient fusion of ER- derived vesicles with the Golgi complex. Surprisingly, elevated levels of Sec23p complex (a subunit of the COPII coat) prevent vesicle fusion in a reversible manner, but do not interfere with vesicle docking. Ordering experiments using the dilution resistant intermediate and reversible Sec23p complex inhibition indicate Sec18p action is required before LMA1 function.     

Vesicle docking in regulated exocytosis

In electron micrographs, many secretory and synaptic vesicles are found 'docked' at the target membrane, but it is unclear why and how. It is generally assumed that docking is a necessary first step in the secretory pathway before vesicles can acquire fusion competence (through 'priming'), but recent studies challenge this. New biophysical methods have become available to detect how vesicles are tethered at the target membrane, and genetic manipulations have implicated many genes in tethering, docking and priming. However, these studies have not yet led to consistent working models for these steps. In this study, we review recent attempts to characterize these early steps and the cellular factors to orchestrate them. We discuss whether assays for docking, tethering and priming report on the same phenomena and whether all vesicles necessarily follow the same linear docking–priming–fusion pathway. We conclude that most evidence to date is consistent with such a linear pathway assuming several refinements that imply that some vesicles can be nonfunctionally docked ('dead-end' docking) or, conversely, that the linear pathway can be greatly accelerated (crash fusion).     

Formation and Turnover of NSF- and SNAP-containing “Fusion” Complexes Occur on Undocked, Clathrin-coated Vesicle–derived Membranes

Specificity of vesicular transport is determined by pair-wise interaction between receptors (SNAP receptors or SNAREs) associated with a transport vesicle and its target membrane. Two additional factors, N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) and soluble NSF attachment protein (SNAP) are ubiquitous components of vesicular transport pathways. However, the precise role they play is not known. On the basis that NSF and SNAP can be recruited to preformed SNARE complexes, it has been proposed that NSF- and SNAP-containing complexes are formed after SNARE-dependent docking of transport vesicles. This would enable ATPase-dependent complex disassembly to be coupled directly to membrane fusion. Alternatively, binding and release of NSF/SNAP may occur before vesicle docking, and perhaps be involved in the activation of SNAREs. To gain more information about the point at which so-called 20S complexes form during the transport vesicle cycle, we have examined NSF/SNAP/SNARE complex turnover on clathrin-coated vesicle–derived membranes in situ. This has been achieved under conditions in which the extent of membrane docking can be precisely monitored. We demonstrate by UV-dependent cross-linking experiments, coupled to laser light-scattering analysis of membranes, that complexes containing NSF, SNAP, and SNAREs will form and dissociate on the surface of undocked transport vesicles.     

The actin cytoskeleton and neurotransmitter release: an overview

Here we review evidence that actin and its binding partners are involved in the release of neurotransmitters at synapses. The spatial and temporal characteristics of neurotransmitter release are determined by the distribution of synaptic vesicles at the active zones, presynaptic sites of secretion. Synaptic vesicles accumulate near active zones in a readily releasable pool that is docked at the plasma membrane and ready to fuse in response to calcium entry and a secondary, reserve pool that is in the interior of the presynaptic terminal. A network of actin filaments associated with synaptic vesicles might play an important role in maintaining synaptic vesicles within the reserve pool. Actin and myosin also have been implicated in the translocation of vesicles from the reserve pool to the presynaptic plasma membrane. Refilling of the readily releasable vesicle pool during intense stimulation of neurotransmitter release also implicates synapsins as reversible links between synaptic vesicles and actin filaments. The diversity of actin binding partners in nerve terminals suggests that actin might have presynaptic functions beyond synaptic vesicle tethering or movement. Because most of these actin-binding proteins are regulated by calcium, actin might be a pivotal participant in calcium signaling inside presynaptic nerve terminals. However, there is no evidence that actin participates in fusion of synaptic vesicles.     

Presynaptic regulation of neurotransmission in Drosophila by the g protein-coupled receptor methuselah

Regulation of synaptic strength is essential for neuronal information processing, but the molecular mechanisms that control changes in neuroexocytosis are only partially known. Here we show that the putative G protein-coupled receptor Methuselah (Mth) is required in the presynaptic motor neuron to acutely upregulate neurotransmitter exocytosis at larval Drosophila NMJs. Mutations in the mth gene reduce evoked neurotransmitter release by approximately 50%, and decrease synaptic area and the density of docked and clustered vesicles. Pre- but not postsynaptic expression of normal Mth restored normal release in mth mutants. Conditional expression of Mth restored normal release and normal vesicle docking and clustering but not the reduced size of synaptic sites, suggesting that Mth acutely adjusts vesicle trafficking to synaptic sites.     

Phosphorylation of Brain Synaptic and Coated Vesicle Proteins by Endogenous Ca2+/Calmodulin- and cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinases

Phosphorylation of brain synaptic and coated vesicle proteins was stimulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin. As determined by 5-15% sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), molecular weights (Mr) of the major phosphorylated proteins were 55,000 and 53,000 in synaptic vesicles and 175,000 and 55,000 in coated vesicles. In synaptic vesicles, phosphorylation was inhibited by affinity-purified antibodies raised against a 30,000 Mr protein doublet endogenous to synaptic and coated vesicles. When this doublet, along with clathrin, was extracted from coated vesicles, phosphorylation did not take place, implying that the protein doublet may be closely associated with Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Affinity-purified antibodies, raised against clathrin used as a control antibody, failed to inhibit Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation in either synaptic or coated vesicles. Immunoelectron cytochemistry revealed that this protein doublet was present in axon terminal synaptic and coated vesicles. Synaptic vesicles also displayed cAMP-dependent kinase activity; coated vesicles did not. The molecular weights of phosphorylated synaptic vesicle proteins in the presence of Mg2+ and cAMP were: 175,000, 100,000, 80,000, 57,000, 55,000, 53,000, 40,000, and 30,000. Based on the different phosphorylation patterns observed in synaptic and coated vesicles, we propose that brain vesicle protein kinase activities may be involved in the regulation of exocytosis and in retrieval of synaptic membrane in presynaptic axon terminals.