title: Bruchpilot promotes active zone assembly, Ca2+ channel clustering, and vesicle release.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 5, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kittel
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wichmann
authors.forename: Tobias M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Rasse
authors.forename: Wernher
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fouquet
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Dhananjay A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wagh
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pawlu
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Kellner
authors.forename: Katrin I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Willig
authors.forename: Stefan W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hell
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buchner
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heckmann
authors.forename: Stephan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sigrist
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: C510146:BRP protein, Drosophila; D015220:Calcium Channels; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins