title: Tomosyn expression pattern in the mouse hippocampus suggests both presynaptic and postsynaptic functions.
abstract: The protein tomosyn decreases synaptic transmission and release probability of vesicles, and is essential for modulating synaptic transmission in neurons. In this study, we provide a detailed description of the expression and localization patterns of tomosyn1 and tomosyn2 in the subareas of the mouse hippocampus. Using confocal and two-photon high-resolution microscopy we demonstrate that tomosyn colocalizes with several pre- and postsynaptic markers and is found mainly in glutamatergic synapses. Specifically, we show that tomosyn1 is differentially distributed in the mouse hippocampus and concentrated mainly in the hilus and mossy fibers. Surprisingly, we found that tomosyn2 is expressed in the subiculum, CA1 and CA2 pyramidal cell bodies, dendrites and spines, and colocalizes with PSD95, suggesting a postsynaptic role. These results suggest that in addition to the well-characterized presynaptic function of tomosyn in neurotransmitter release, tomosyn2 might have a postsynaptic function, and place tomosyn as a more general regulator of synaptic transmission and plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Boaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barak
authors.forename: Antionette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Noa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bielopolski
authors.forename: Irit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gottfried
authors.forename: Eitan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Okun
authors.forename: Meghan A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Matti
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rettig
authors.forename: Edward L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Stuenkel
authors.forename: Uri
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ashery