Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
09:33
An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins
Published on: June 26, 2018
8.0K
The readily releasable pool of synaptic vesicles
Pascal S Kaeser1, Wade G Regehr1
1Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, United States.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|January 20, 2017
Summary
Understanding the readily releasable pool (RRP) is key to synaptic strength. Recent advances reveal RRP vesicles can be docked or recruited from undocked pools for rapid release.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Synaptic Transmission
Background:
- Presynaptic boutons contain vesicles crucial for neurotransmission.
- Only a subset of vesicles forms the readily releasable pool (RRP).
- RRP size and vesicle release probability dictate synaptic strength.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss challenges and recent progress in RRP size determination.
- To explore molecular mechanisms regulating RRP formation and maintenance.
- To clarify the relationship between vesicle docking and RRP composition.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advances in RRP research.
- Discussion of molecular mechanisms involved in vesicle release.
- Analysis of the interplay between vesicle docking and RRP dynamics.
Main Results:
- Many vesicles within the RRP are found in a docked state.
- Not all docked vesicles necessarily belong to the RRP.
- Undocked vesicles can rapidly join the RRP through recruitment to active sites.
Conclusions:
- The RRP is a dynamic pool influenced by both docked and recruited vesicles.
- Understanding RRP composition is essential for comprehending synaptic function.
- Recent findings refine models of vesicle pools and neurotransmitter release.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Fusion of Secretory Vesicles with the Plasma Membrane
19.2K
Proteins and neurotransmitters in secretory vesicles can be released from a cell upon vesicle docking, priming, and fusion with the plasma membrane. Vesicles are docked and primed in preparation for the quick exocytosis of their contents in response to a stimulus. The fusion process is mainly carried out by a SNAP Receptor or SNARE complex, consisting of synaptobrevin, syntaxin-1, and SNAP-25.
In 1993, Jim Rothman proposed that the antiparallel pairing of vesicular and transmembrane SNAREs, or...
In 1993, Jim Rothman proposed that the antiparallel pairing of vesicular and transmembrane SNAREs, or...
19.2K
01:33Overview of Secretory Vesicles
9.7K
Secretory vesicles, also known as dense core vesicles (DCVs), are membrane-bound vesicles that transport secretory proteins, such as hormones or neurotransmitters. Regulated secretory vesicles transport proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the exterior of the cell. Proteins present in regulated secretory vesicles are required to be rapidly exocytosed in large amounts upon a specific stimulus.
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
9.7K
01:26Chemical Synapses
12.2K
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
12.2K
01:26Chemical Synapses
6.0K
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
6.0K
01:45Vesicular Tubular Clusters
3.3K
After budding out from the ER membrane, some COPII vesicles lose their coat and fuse with one another to form larger vesicles and interconnected tubules called vesicular tubular clusters or VTCs. These clusters constitute a compartment at the ER-Golgi interface known as ERGIC (Endoplasmic Reticulum Golgi Intermediate Compartment). The ERGIC is a mobile membrane-bound cargo transport system that sorts proteins secreted from ER and delivers them to the Golgi.
With the help of motor proteins such...
With the help of motor proteins such...
3.3K
00:50Exocytosis
9.7K
Exocytosis is a process that releases molecules outside the cell. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
Exocytosis is the opposite of endocytosis, which brings molecules inside the cell. Sometimes, the released materials are signaling molecules. For example, neurons typically use exocytosis to release neurotransmitters. Cells also use exocytosis to insert proteins such as ion channels into their cell membranes, secrete proteins for use in the extracellular matrix, or...
Exocytosis is the opposite of endocytosis, which brings molecules inside the cell. Sometimes, the released materials are signaling molecules. For example, neurons typically use exocytosis to release neurotransmitters. Cells also use exocytosis to insert proteins such as ion channels into their cell membranes, secrete proteins for use in the extracellular matrix, or...
9.7K