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Examination of Synaptic Vesicle Recycling Using FM Dyes During Evoked, Spontaneous, and Miniature Synaptic Activities
Published on: March 31, 2014
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Spontaneous vesicle recycling in the synaptic bouton
Sven Truckenbrodt1, Silvio O Rizzoli2
1Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University of Göttingen Medical Center, European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain Göttingen, Germany ; International Max Planck Research School for Molecular Biology Göttingen, Germany.
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
|December 25, 2014
Summary
Spontaneous neurotransmitter release in neurons may stem from distinct vesicle pools. Young neurons exhibit high release from constitutively releasing vesicles (CRVs), while mature neurons show Ca(2+)-dependent release from synaptic vesicles.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Synaptic Transmission
Background:
- Synaptic vesicle exocytosis is triggered by Ca(2+) influx after action potentials.
- Spontaneous neurotransmitter release occurs without stimulation, previously attributed to Ca(2+) fluctuations.
- Recent studies challenge this, proposing separate vesicle pools for spontaneous release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconcile conflicting hypotheses on the origins of spontaneous neurotransmitter release.
- To investigate the role of developmental effects in spontaneous release mechanisms.
- To differentiate between constitutively releasing vesicles (CRVs) and synaptic vesicles.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing literature and experimental data.
- Speculative modeling of vesicle dynamics during neuronal development.
- Comparison of spontaneous release in young versus mature neurons.
Main Results:
- High spontaneous release in young neurons is linked to constitutive membrane traffic, independent of Ca(2+).
- These early spontaneous events involve CRVs, not standard synaptic vesicles.
- In mature neurons, spontaneous release is reduced and involves Ca(2+)-sensitive synaptic vesicles and some CRVs.
Conclusions:
- Developmental stage significantly influences spontaneous neurotransmitter release mechanisms.
- Constitutive membrane traffic drives early spontaneous release via CRVs.
- Mature neurons utilize Ca(2+)-dependent synaptic vesicles and residual CRVs for spontaneous release.
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