Regulation of membrane fusion in synaptic excitation-secretion coupling: speed and accuracy matter.
Unlike most other secretory processes, neurotransmitter release at chemical synapses is extremely fast, tightly regulated, spatially restricted, and dynamically adjustable at the same time. In this review, we focus on recent discoveries of molecular and cell biological processes that determine how fusion competence of vesicles is achieved and controlled in order to suit the specific requirements of synaptic transmitter release with respect to speed and spatial selectivity.
Wojcik
Sonja M
SM
Max-Planck-Institut für Experimentelle Medizin, Abteilung Molekulare Neurobiologie, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, D-37075 Göttingen, Deutschland. wojcik@em.mpg.de
Brose
Nils
N
D000818:Animals; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D050600:SNARE Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000502:physiology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D050600:SNARE Proteins