Presynaptic proteins involved in exocytosis inDrosophila melanogaster: A genetic analysis |
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Authors: | J Troy Littleton Hugo J Bellen |
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Institution: | (1) Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Division of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 77030 Houston, TX, USA |
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Abstract: | Neuronal communication involves the fusion of neurotransmitter filled synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic terminal. This
exocytotic event depends upon proteins present in three separate compartments: the synaptic vesicle, the synaptic cytosol,
and the presynaptic membrane. Recent data indicate that the basic components of exocytotic pathways, including those used
for neurotransmitter release, are conserved from yeast to human. Genetic dissection of the secretory pathway in yeast, identification
of the target proteins cleaved by the clostridial neurotoxins and biochemical characterization of the interactions of synaptic
proteins from vertebrates have converged to provide the SNARE (soluble NSF attachment protein receptor) hypothesis for vesicle
trafficking. This model proposes that proteins present in the vesicle (v-SNAREs) interact with membrane receptors (t-SNAREs)
to provide a molecular scaffold for cytosolic proteins involved in fusion. The hypothesis that these mechanisms function at
the synapse relies largely uponin vitro evidence. Recently, genetic approaches in mice, C.elegans and the fruitfly,Drosophila melanagaster, have been used to dissect thein vivo function of numerous proteins involved in synaptic transmission. This review covers recent progress and insights provided
by a genetic dissection of neurotransmitter release inDrosophila. In addition, we will provide evidence that the mechanisms for synaptic communication are highly conserved from invertebrates
to vertebrates, makingDrosophila an ideal model system to further unravel the intricacies of synaptic transmission. |
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Keywords: | exocytosis synaptic vesicles neurotransmitter release Drosophila |
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