Molecular mechanisms of active zone function.
In response to incoming action potentials the presynapse exocytoses neurotransmitter filled vesicles. Proper information encoding requires that the release occurs exactly at the junction to the postsynapse, that it is temporally tightly coupled to the electrical signal and that it proceeds efficiently. This review discusses the structure and function of the active zone, which is defined as the region of the presynapse that is specialized for vesicle release. Particular emphasis is put on the molecular players that control spatial restriction, efficiency and timing of exocytosis in the mammalian nervous system.
Rosenmund
Christian
C
Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie, Abteilung Membranbiophysik, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany. crosenm@gwdg.de
Rettig
Jens
J
Brose
Nils
N
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism*
D008565:Membrane Proteins