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Synaptic transmission

X marks the exocytotic spot (and foretells vesicle fusion mode)

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 13, pages 222–223 (2012)Cite this article

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The dynamics of vesicles and the existence of K&R exocytosis have been controversial, in part because it has been difficult to determine the movement and behaviour of synaptic vesicles in real time and to a high degree of resolution. Park et al. used a technique that enabled real-time monitoring of vesicle movement in three dimensions with nanometre accuracy. They loaded vesicles with a fluorescent marker (quantum dot) and observed that field stimulation caused around 70% of exocytosed labelled vesicles to move around within the synaptic bouton; this movement may be part of normal vesicle recycling. The authors further noted that vesicles became almost stationary at the active zone prior to exocytosis, perhaps reflecting the docking process.

both the time a vesicle spent at the active zone prior to fusion and the location of fusion influence whether the vesicle will undergo FCF or K&R

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Park, H., Li, Y. & Tsien, R. W. Influence of synaptic vesicle position on release probability and exocytotic fusion mode. Science 16 Feb 2012 (doi:10.1126/science.1216937)

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  1. Sian Lewis
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Lewis, S. X marks the exocytotic spot (and foretells vesicle fusion mode). Nat Rev Neurosci 13, 222–223 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3216

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