Synaptotagmin: a Calcium Sensor on the Synaptic Vesicle Surface
Abstract
Neurons release neurotransmitters by calcium-dependent exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. However, the molecular steps transducing the calcium signal into membrane fusion are still an enigma. It is reported here that synaptotagmin, a highly conserved synaptic vesicle protein, binds calcium at physiological concentrations in a complex with negatively charged phospholipids. This binding is specific for calcium and involves the cytoplasmic domain of synaptotagmin. Calcium binding is dependent on the intact oligomeric structure of synaptotagmin (it is abolished by proteolytic cleavage at a single site). These results suggest that synaptotagmin acts as a cooperative calcium receptor in exocytosis.
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Syt1 binds in a Ca2+-dependent manner to anionic membranes, with anionic phospholipids and synaptotagmin C2 domains together coordinating calcium.
“Syt1 binds in a Ca2+-dependent manner to anionic membranes; during binding, anionic phospholipids and synaptotagmin C2 domains together coordinate calcium14–17.”
From Architecture of the synaptotagmin–SNARE machinery for neuronal exocytosis (2015) · cites this paper as [15]
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- Authors
- Brose, N., Petrenko, A. G., Südhof, T. C., & Jahn, R.
- Affiliations
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (DE)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 1992-05-15
- Volume
- 256
- Issue
- 5059
- Pages
- 1021-1025
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W1976283234
- Cited by
- 979
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 27
- FWCI
- 29.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- GRO (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular transport and secretion
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Keywords
- synaptotagmin, calcium binding, synaptic vesicles, exocytosis, neurotransmitter release, membrane fusion, phospholipid binding, oligomeric structure, proteolytic cleavage, calcium sensor, synaptic vesicle proteins
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain Chemistry, Calcium, Calcium-Binding Proteins, Cell Membrane, Cytoplasmic Granules, Dansyl Compounds, Energy Transfer, Exocytosis, Fluorescent Dyes, Liposomes, Membrane Glycoproteins, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Phosphatidylethanolamines, Synaptic Vesicles, Macromolecular Substances, Synaptotagmins, Rats
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