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An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins
Published on: June 26, 2018
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PKA orchestrates long-range lysosomal vesicle transport during synaptic maintenance
Kerriann K Badal1,2, Yibo Zhao1, Bindu L Raveendra1
1Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
Iscience
|December 16, 2025
Summary
Synapse maintenance involves decreased retrograde lysosomal vesicle transport, while formation boosts anterograde mitochondrial transport. Protein Kinase A (PKA) regulates this organelle transport during synaptic plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Bidirectional long-distance organelle transport is vital for neuronal communication.
- Regulation of organelle transport during synapse development and plasticity is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulation of organelle transport during synapse formation, maintenance, and plasticity in the Aplysia sensory neuron-motor neuron system.
- To identify key molecular players involved in regulating this transport.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Aplysia gill-siphon withdrawal reflex model.
- Monitored organelle transport (lysosomal vesicles and mitochondria) using microscopy.
- Conducted pharmacological screening to identify regulatory molecules.
Main Results:
- Synapse maintenance correlated with reduced retrograde lysosomal vesicle (LV) transport.
- Anterograde mitochondrial transport increased within 12 hours of synapse formation.
- Serotonin-induced synapse formation suppressed retrograde LV transport and enhanced anterograde mitochondrial transport.
- Protein Kinase A (PKA) was identified as a key regulator of retrograde LV transport.
Conclusions:
- Organelle transport is differentially regulated during distinct phases of synaptic development and plasticity.
- Retrograde LV transport and anterograde mitochondrial transport exhibit distinct temporal dynamics.
- PKA plays a crucial role in modulating organelle transport for synapse maintenance.
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