Critical Role of the Presynaptic Protein CAST in Maintaining the Photoreceptor Ribbon Synapse Triad.

ABSTRACT: The cytomatrix at the active zone-associated structural protein (CAST) and its homologue, named ELKS, being rich in glutamate (E), leucine (L), lysine (K), and serine (S), belong to a family of proteins that organize presynaptic active zones at nerve terminals. These proteins interact with other active zone proteins, including RIMs, Munc13s, Bassoon, and the β subunit of Ca²⁺ channels, and have various roles in neurotransmitter release. A previous study showed that depletion of CAST/ELKS in the retina causes morphological changes and functional impairment of this structure. In this study, we investigated the roles of CAST and ELKS in ectopic synapse localization. We found that the involvement of these proteins in ribbon synapse distribution is complex. Unexpectedly, CAST and ELK

SUBMITTER: Hagiwara A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10138387 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature