title: Presynaptic bodies ("ribbons"): from ultrastructural observations to molecular perspectives.
abstract: The morphological diversity and dynamic aspects of presynaptic bodies are summarised. Molecular characteristics of the presynaptic machinery are discussed and the signals that control the plasticity of the presynaptic bodies are examined. A review is presented of recent findings regarding the physiology of tonically active synapses. The significance of the synaptic bodies and their dynamic changes in retinal and pineal photoreceptors are considered.
authors.affiliation: Anatomisches Institut der Universität Tübingen, Osterbergstr. 3, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany. hjwagner@anatu.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013569:Synapses / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*