Bruchpilot promotes active zone assembly, Ca2+ channel clustering, and vesicle release.

Full Abstract

The molecular organization of presynaptic active zones during calcium influx-triggered neurotransmitter release is the focus of intense investigation. The Drosophila coiled-coil domain protein Bruchpilot (BRP) was observed in donut-shaped structures centered at active zones of neuromuscular synapses by using subdiffraction resolution STED (stimulated emission depletion) fluorescence microscopy. At brp mutant active zones, electron-dense projections (T-bars) were entirely lost, Ca2+ channels were reduced in density, evoked vesicle release was depressed, and short-term plasticity was altered. BRP-like proteins seem to establish proximity between Ca2+ channels and vesicles to allow efficient transmitter release and patterned synaptic plasticity.

Author information

Author/s: Kittel, Robert J (RJ); Wichmann, Carolin (C); Rasse, Tobias M (TM); Fouquet, Wernher (W); Schmidt, Manuela (M); Schmid, Andreas (A); Wagh, Dhananjay A (DA); Pawlu, Christian (C); Kellner, Robert R (RR); Willig, Katrin I (KI); Hell, Stefan W (SW); Buchner, Erich (E); Heckmann, Manfred (M); Sigrist, Stephan J (SJ);

Affiliation: European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 5, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.) (Science), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-May; vol 312 (issue 5776) : pp 1051-4

Dates: Created 2006/05/19; Completed 2006/06/01; Revised 2007/03/19;

PMID: 16614170, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Science. 2006 May 19;312(5776):1008-9. (PMID: 16709774)

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