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Synaptic activity regulates the abundance and binding of complexin
Rachel T Wragg1, Géraldine Gouzer1, Jihong Bai2
1Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
Biophysical Journal
|March 27, 2015
Summary
Complexin (CPX) protein dynamics at synapses are crucial for neurotransmitter release. This study reveals CPX synaptic mobility depends on neuronal activity and interactions, influencing plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Synaptic function relies on precise neurotransmission.
- Complexin (CPX) is vital for regulating neurotransmitter release via SNARE and vesicle interactions.
- Mechanisms governing CPX recruitment and stabilization at synapses remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo mobility and synaptic dynamics of Complexin (CPX).
- To elucidate the factors influencing CPX synaptic residence time and redistribution.
- To explore the relationship between CPX mobility, synaptic activity, and use-dependent plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Quantified mobility of photoactivatable green fluorescent protein (pGFP)-tagged Complexin (CPX-pGFP) in vivo using Caenorhabditis elegans.
- Utilized live imaging in mouse hippocampal presynaptic terminals.
- Investigated the effect of synaptic activity and vesicle fusion blockade on CPX distribution.
Main Results:
- CPX-pGFP exhibited distinct fast and slow decay components at synapses, with minutes required for full pool exchange, unlike free pGFP.
- CPX synaptic residence time was prolonged by synaptic vesicle and SNARE interactions.
- CPX mobility was found to be dependent on synaptic activity, with stimulation causing reversible dispersion from mouse presynaptic terminals.
- Blockade of vesicle fusion inhibited CPX dispersion during stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Synaptic Complexin (CPX) undergoes rapid redistribution influenced by neuronal activity.
- CPX's activity-dependent exchange at the synapse may play a role in use-dependent plasticity.
- Understanding CPX dynamics provides insights into neurotransmitter release regulation.
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