The exocytosis regulator complexin controls spontaneous synaptic vesicle release in a CAPS-dependent manner at C. elegans excitatory synapses.

ABSTRACT: The balance between synaptic excitation and inhibition (E/I) is essential for coordinating motor behavior, yet the differential roles of exocytosis regulators in this balance are less understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of 2 conserved exocytosis regulators, complexin/CPX-1 and CAPS/UNC-31, in excitatory versus inhibitory synapses at Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junctions. cpx-1 null mutants exhibited a marked increase in spontaneous release specifically at excitatory synapses, alongside an unequal reduction in excitatory and inhibitory evoked release. A clamping-specific knockin mutant, cpx-1(Δ12), which preserved evoked release, also showed a biased enhancement in excitatory spontaneous release. Conversely, the unc-31 null mutation, while maintaining normal sponta

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11838871 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature