Naked dense bodies provoke depression.
At presynaptic active zones (AZs), the frequently observed tethering of synaptic vesicles to an electron-dense cytomatrix represents a process of largely unknown functional significance. Here, we identified a hypomorphic allele, brpnude, lacking merely the last 1% of the C-terminal amino acids (17 of 1740) of the active zone protein Bruchpilot. In brpnude, electron-dense bodies were properly shaped, though entirely bare of synaptic vesicles. While basal glutamate release was unchanged, paired-pulse and sustained stimulation provoked depression. Furthermore, rapid recovery following sustained release was slowed. Our results causally link, with intramolecular precision, the tethering of vesicles at the AZ cytomatrix to synaptic depression.
Hallermann
Stefan
S
Carl-Ludwig-Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Kittel
Robert J
RJ
Wichmann
Carolin
C
Weyhersmüller
Annika
A
Fouquet
Wernher
W
Mertel
Sara
S
Owald
David
D
Eimer
Stefan
S
Depner
Harald
H
Schwärzel
Martin
M
Sigrist
Stephan J
SJ
Heckmann
Manfred
M
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007700:Kinetics; D007814:Larva; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology*; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*
C510146:BRP protein, Drosophila; D015220:Calcium Channels; D029721:Drosophila Proteins