Complexin has opposite effects on two modes of synaptic vesicle fusion.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Synaptic transmission can occur in a binary or graded fashion, depending on whether transmitter release is triggered by action potentials or by gradual changes in membrane potential. Molecular differences of these two types of fusion events and their differential regulation in a physiological context have yet to be addressed. Complexin is a conserved SNARE-binding protein that has been proposed to regulate both spontaneous and stimulus-evoked synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion.

Results

Here we examine complexin function at a graded synapse in C. elegans. Null complexin (cpx-1) mutants are viable, although nervous system function is significantly impaired. Loss of CPX-1 results in a 3-fold increase in the rate of tonic synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction,

SUBMITTER: Martin JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3026084 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature