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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy
Published on: January 5, 2010
Synapsins as mediators of BDNF-enhanced neurotransmitter release
J N Jovanovic1, A J Czernik, A A Fienberg
1Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Abstract:
We examined enhancement of synaptic transmission by neurotrophins at the presynaptic level. In a synaptosomal preparation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increased mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-dependent synapsin I phosphorylation and acutely facilitated evoked glutamate release. PD98059, used to inhibit MAP kinase activity, markedly decreased synapsin I phosphorylation and concomitantly reduced neurotransmitter release. The stimulation of glutamate release by BDNF was strongly attenuated in mice lacking synapsin I and/or synapsin II. These results indicate a causal link of synapsin phosphorylation via BDNF, TrkB receptors and MAP kinase with downstream facilitation of neurotransmitter release.
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