title: Presynaptic active zones in invertebrates and vertebrates.
abstract: The regulated release of neurotransmitter occurs via the fusion of synaptic vesicles (SVs) at specialized regions of the presynaptic membrane called active zones (AZs). These regions are defined by a cytoskeletal matrix assembled at AZs (CAZ), which functions to direct SVs toward docking and fusion sites and supports their maturation into the readily releasable pool. In addition, CAZ proteins localize voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels at SV release sites, bringing the fusion machinery in close proximity to the calcium source. Proteins of the CAZ therefore ensure that vesicle fusion is temporally and spatially organized, allowing for the precise and reliable release of neurotransmitter. Importantly, AZs are highly dynamic structures, supporting presynaptic remodeling, changes in neurotransmitter release efficacy, and thus presynaptic forms of plasticity. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the study of active zones, highlighting how the CAZ molecularly defines sites of neurotransmitter release, endocytic zones, and the integrity of synapses.
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Frauke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ackermann
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Clarissa L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Waites
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Germany craig-curtis.garner@dzne.de.
authors.forename: Craig C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Garner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D002118:Calcium
keywords: active zone; cytoskeletal matrix; fusion; release; synaptic vesicle