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Synaptic transmission is the biological process by which a neuron communicates with a target cell across a synapse. Chemical synaptic transmission involves the release of a neurotransmitter from the pre-synaptic neuron, and neurotransmitter binding to specific post-synaptic receptors. Electrical synapse transmission involves the transfer of electrical signals through gap junctions.
SNARE-dependent membrane fusion underlies neurotransmission in the nervous system. Here, the authors demonstrate how, in mammalian neurons, the synaptic protein tomosyn controls secretion by increasing the energy barrier for fusion.
RoboEM enables automated proofreading of electron microscopy datasets using a strategy akin to that of self-steering cars. This decreases the need for manual proofreading of segmented datasets and facilitates connectomic analyses.
How synaptic vesicles (SVs) are clustered at the presynapse is suggestive of anchoring processes counteracting their diffusion. Here, the authors co-track recycling and reserve SVs in live neurons to find that Synapsin 2a tetramerization dynamically immobilizes reserve SVs at the presynapse.
Deng et al. expand the toolbox of neurotransmitter sensors with high-sensitivity green and red genetically encoded serotonin sensors. These are suitable for in vivo applications, as demonstrated in a variety of applications in mice.
The relationship between striatal vascular and neural activity is not fully understood. Here the authors found neuronal activity inadequately explains striatal hemodynamic polarity, challenging classic fMRI interpretations.
Following synaptic vesicle exocytosis, synaptotagmin 1 recruits a lipid signalling pathway within the presynaptic plasma membrane that drives local dynamin recruitment and membrane retrieval by endocytosis, thus maintaining membrane homeostasis.
A co-released inhibitory neurotransmitter and stimulatory neuropeptide are shown to act on different timescales to enhance circuit output and optimize behaviour.
We developed, characterized and validated nLight sensors, a new family of genetically encoded green and red fluorescent norepinephrine indicators based on an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor. nLight probes can detect norepinephrine in living animals with superior sensitivity, ligand specificity and temporal resolution as compared with previous tools.