title: Nanodomain coupling between Ca²⁺ channels and sensors of exocytosis at fast mammalian synapses.
abstract: The physical distance between presynaptic Ca(2+) channels and the Ca(2+) sensors that trigger exocytosis of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles is a key determinant of the signalling properties of synapses in the nervous system. Recent functional analysis indicates that in some fast central synapses, transmitter release is triggered by a small number of Ca(2+) channels that are coupled to Ca(2+) sensors at the nanometre scale. Molecular analysis suggests that this tight coupling is generated by protein-protein interactions involving Ca(2+) channels, Ca(2+) sensors and various other synaptic proteins. Nanodomain coupling has several functional advantages, as it increases the efficacy, speed and energy efficiency of synaptic transmission.
authors.affiliation: IST Austria (Institute of Science and Technology Austria), Am Campus 1, A-3400                 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eggermann
authors.forename: Iancu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bucurenciu
authors.forename: Sarit Pati
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Goswami
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jonas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008322:Mammals; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D002614:Chelating Agents; D002118:Calcium