High-Probability Neurotransmitter Release Sites Represent an Energy-Efficient Design.

ABSTRACT: Nerve terminals contain multiple sites specialized for the release of neurotransmitters. Release usually occurs with low probability, a design thought to confer many advantages. High-probability release sites are not uncommon, but their advantages are not well understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that high-probability release sites represent an energy-efficient design. We examined release site probabilities and energy efficiency at the terminals of two glutamatergic motor neurons synapsing on the same muscle fiber in Drosophila larvae. Through electrophysiological and ultrastructural measurements, we calculated release site probabilities to differ considerably between terminals (0.33 versus 0.11). We estimated the energy required to release and recycle glutamate from the same measureme

SUBMITTER: Lu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5253075 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature