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At presynaptic active zones (AZs), the frequently observed tethering of synaptic vesicles to an electron-dense cytomatrix represents a process of largely unknown functional significance. Here, we identified a hypomorphic allele, brpnude, lacking merely the last 1% of the C-terminal amino acids (17 of 1740) of the active zone protein Bruchpilot. In brpnude, electron-dense bodies were properly shaped, though entirely bare of synaptic vesicles. While basal glutamate release was unchanged, paired-pulse and sustained stimulation provoked depression. Furthermore, rapid recovery following sustained release was slowed. Our results causally link, with intramolecular precision, the tethering of vesicles at the AZ cytomatrix to synaptic depression.

Original publication

DOI

10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2495-10.2010

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Neurosci

Publication Date

27/10/2010

Volume

30

Pages

14340 - 14345

Keywords

Animals, Base Sequence, Calcium Channels, Cytoplasm, Drosophila, Drosophila Proteins, Electric Stimulation, Electrophysiology, Kinetics, Larva, Microscopy, Electron, Molecular Sequence Data, Mutation, Patch-Clamp Techniques, Presynaptic Terminals, Synaptic Vesicles