Bruchpilot promotes active zone assembly, Ca2+ channel clustering, and vesicle release.
The molecular organization of presynaptic active zones during calcium influx-triggered neurotransmitter release is the focus of intense investigation. The Drosophila coiled-coil domain protein Bruchpilot (BRP) was observed in donut-shaped structures centered at active zones of neuromuscular synapses by using subdiffraction resolution STED (stimulated emission depletion) fluorescence microscopy. At brp mutant active zones, electron-dense projections (T-bars) were entirely lost, Ca2+ channels were reduced in density, evoked vesicle release was depressed, and short-term plasticity was altered. BRP-like proteins seem to establish proximity between Ca2+ channels and vesicles to allow efficient transmitter release and patterned synaptic plasticity.
Kittel
Robert J
RJ
European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 5, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
Wichmann
Carolin
C
Rasse
Tobias M
TM
Fouquet
Wernher
W
Schmidt
Manuela
M
Schmid
Andreas
A
Wagh
Dhananjay A
DA
Pawlu
Christian
C
Kellner
Robert R
RR
Willig
Katrin I
KI
Hell
Stefan W
SW
Buchner
Erich
E
Heckmann
Manfred
M
Sigrist
Stephan J
SJ
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*
C510146:BRP protein, Drosophila; D015220:Calcium Channels; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins