title: Calcium dependence of the rate of exocytosis in a synaptic terminal.
abstract: Rapid calcium-dependent exocytosis underlies neurotransmitter release from nerve terminals. Despite the fundamental importance of this process, neither the relationship between presynaptic intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) and rate of exocytosis, nor the maximal rate of secretion is known quantitatively. To provide this information, we have used flash photolysis of caged Ca2+ to elevate [Ca2+]i rapidly and uniformly in synaptic terminals, while measuring membrane capacitance as an index of exocytosis and monitoring [Ca2+]i with a Ca(2+)-indicator dye. When [Ca2+]i was abruptly increased to > 10 microM, capacitance rose at a rate that increased steeply with [Ca2+]i. The steepness suggested that at least four calcium ions must bind to activate synaptic vesicle fusion. Half-saturation was at 194 microM, and the maximal rate constant was 2,000-3,000 s-1. A given synaptic vesicle can exocytose with high probability within a few hundred microseconds, if [Ca2+]i rises above 100 microM. These properties provide for the extremely rapid signalling required for neuronal communication.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Membranbiophysik, Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heidelberger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heinemann
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Neher
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005029:Ethylenediamines; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D006054:Goldfish; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology*; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000502:physiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D005029:Ethylenediamines; C057014:DM-nitrophen; D002118:Calcium