Department of Physiology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Oct 29;22(21):11775. doi: 10.3390/ijms222111775.
An action potential triggers neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles docking to a specialized release site of the presynaptic plasma membrane, the active zone. The active zone is a highly organized structure with proteins that serves as a platform for synaptic vesicle exocytosis, mediated by SNAREs complex and Ca sensor proteins, within a sub-millisecond opening of nearby Ca channels with the membrane depolarization. In response to incoming neuronal signals, each active zone protein plays a role in the release-ready site replenishment with synaptic vesicles for sustainable synaptic transmission. The active zone release apparatus provides a possible link between neuronal activity and plasticity. This review summarizes the mostly physiological role of active zone protein interactions that control synaptic strength, presynaptic short-term plasticity, and homeostatic synaptic plasticity.
动作电位触发神经递质从突触小泡中释放，这些突触小泡停靠在突触前质膜的一个特殊释放位点，即活性区。活性区是一个高度组织化的结构，其中的蛋白质作为突触小泡胞吐作用的平台，由 SNARE 复合物和 Ca 传感器蛋白介导，在附近 Ca 通道的膜去极化作用下，在亚毫秒级的时间内打开。为了响应传入的神经元信号，每个活性区蛋白在释放准备好的突触小泡补充位点中发挥作用，以维持可持续的突触传递。活性区释放装置为神经元活动和可塑性之间提供了一个可能的联系。本综述总结了控制突触强度、突触前短期可塑性和稳态突触可塑性的活性区蛋白相互作用的主要生理作用。
