Inhibition of neurotransmitter release by C2-domain peptides implicates synaptotagmin in exocytosis

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Inhibition of neurotransmitter release by C2-domain peptides implicates synaptotagmin in exocytosis
Creators Name:	Bommert, K. and Charlton, M.P. and DeBello, W.M. and Chin, G.J. and Betz, H. and Augustine, G.J.
Abstract:	Neurotransmitter release is triggered by Ca2+ ions binding to an unknown Ca2+ receptor within presynaptic terminals. Synaptotagmin, a Ca2(+)-binding protein of synaptic and other secretory vesicles, has been proposed to mediate vesicle-plasma membrane interactions during neurotransmitter release. Here we test this hypothesis using the giant synapse of the squid Loligo pealei, which because of its unusually large size and well established physiology is uniquely suited for dissecting presynaptic events. We find that injection of peptides from the C2 domains of synaptotagmin into squid giant presynaptic terminals rapidly and reversibly inhibits neurotransmitter release. Our data are consistent with these peptides competitively blocking release after synaptic vesicle docking and indicate that Ca2+ probably initiates neurotransmitter release by regulating the interaction of synaptotagmin with an acceptor protein.
Keywords:	Amino Acid Sequence, Calcium, Calcium-Binding Proteins, Exocytosis, Membrane Glycoproteins, Membrane Potentials, Microinjections, Molecular Sequence Data, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Neurotransmitter Agents, Peptide Fragments, Amino Acid Sequence Homology, Synaptic Membranes, Synaptotagmins, Animals, Decapodiformes, Rats
Source:	Nature
ISSN:	0028-0836
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
Volume:	363
Number:	6425
Page Range:	163-165
Date:	13 May 1993
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1038/363163a0
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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