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Imaging synaptic zinc: promises and perils.

Alan R Kay1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, 336 BB, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. alan-kay@uiowa.edu

Trends in Neurosciences
|March 7, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Synaptic zinc (Zn2+) is not released during neurotransmission as previously thought. Instead, extracellular Zn2+ is presented, bound to macromolecules, challenging its role as a neuromodulator.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Excitatory nerve terminals store high concentrations of zinc (Zn2+) in synaptic vesicles.
  • Synaptic Zn2+ has been hypothesized to be released during neurotransmission and function as a neuromodulator.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate fluorimetric imaging experiments investigating Zn2+ release.
  • To determine if Zn2+ is indeed released from synaptic vesicles during neurotransmission.

Main Methods:

  • Critical analysis of fluorimetric imaging techniques using membrane-impermeable Zn2+ indicators.
  • Review of recent experimental findings on Zn2+ localization and presentation.

Main Results:

  • Fluorimetric imaging experiments for detecting Zn2+ release are highly susceptible to artifacts.
  • Evidence suggests Zn2+ is presented to the extracellular space coordinated to presynaptic macromolecules, not released.

Conclusions:

  • The prevailing view of synaptic Zn2+ release as a neuromodulatory mechanism requires re-evaluation.
  • Zn2+ presentation to the extracellular space is likely mediated by macromolecular binding, not vesicular release.

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