Topic: presynaptic active zone

Nervous system function relies on the polarized architecture of neurons, established by directional transport of pre- and postsynaptic cargoes. While delivery of postsynaptic components depends on the secretory pathway, the identity of the membrane compartment(s) that supply presynaptic active zone (AZ) and synaptic vesicle (SV) proteins is largely unknown. I will discuss our recent advances in our understanding of how key components of the presynaptic machinery for neurotransmitter release are transported and assembled focussing on our studies in genome-engineered human induced pluripotent st

Synaptic transmission provides the basis for neuronal communication. When an action-potential propagates through the axonal arbour, it activates voltage-gated Ca2+ channels located in the vicinity of release-ready synaptic vesicles docked at the presynaptic active zone. Ca2+ ions enter the presynaptic terminal and activate the vesicular Ca2+ sensor, thereby triggering neurotransmitter release. This whole process occurs on a timescale of a few milliseconds. In addition to fast, synchronous release, which keeps pace with action potentials, many synapses also exhibit delayed asynchronous release