Morphological docking of secretory vesicles.
Calcium-dependent secretion of neurotransmitters and hormones is essential for brain function and neuroendocrine-signaling. Prior to exocytosis, neurotransmitter-containing vesicles dock to the target membrane. In electron micrographs of neurons and neuroendocrine cells, like chromaffin cells many synaptic vesicles (SVs) and large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) are docked. For many years the molecular identity of the morphologically docked state was unknown. Recently, we resolved the minimal docking machinery in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells using embryonic mouse model systems together with electron-microscopic analyses and also found that docking is controlled by the sub-membrane filamentous (F-)actin. Currently it is unclear if the same docking machinery operates in synapses. Here, I will review our docking assay that led to the identification of the LDCV docking machinery in chromaffin cells and also discuss whether identical docking proteins are required for SV docking in synapses.
de Wit
Heidi
H
Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. heidi.de.wit@cncr.vu.nl
D000818:Animals; D019439:Chromaffin Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D022142:Secretory Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*
D006728:Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents