Cysteine string proteins: a potential link between synaptic vesicles and presynaptic Ca2+ channels

A Mastrogiacomo; S M Parsons; G A Zampighi; D J Jenden; J A Umbach; C B Gundersen

doi:10.1126/science.7906056

Cysteine string proteins: a potential link between synaptic vesicles and presynaptic Ca2+ channels

Science. 1994 Feb 18;263(5149):981-2. doi: 10.1126/science.7906056.

Authors

A Mastrogiacomo¹, S M Parsons, G A Zampighi, D J Jenden, J A Umbach, C B Gundersen

Affiliation

¹ Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA School of Medicine 90024.

PMID: 7906056
DOI: 10.1126/science.7906056

Abstract

Presynaptic calcium channels are key regulators of neurotransmitter release. Oocyte expression studies suggest that cysteine string proteins are essential subunits or modulators of these channels. Subcellular fractionation revealed that cysteine string proteins copurify with synaptic vesicles. An average vesicle had eight protein monomers with both the amino and carboxyl termini detected on the cytoplasmic face. Thus, docked synaptic vesicles may regulate presynaptic calcium channels and neurotransmitter release.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Calcium Channels / metabolism*
Cell Fractionation
Electric Organ
Membrane Proteins / analysis
Membrane Proteins / isolation & purification
Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
Microscopy, Electron
Movement
Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis
Nerve Tissue Proteins / isolation & purification
Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism
Presynaptic Terminals / metabolism*
Presynaptic Terminals / ultrastructure
Synaptic Transmission
Synaptic Vesicles / chemistry
Synaptic Vesicles / metabolism*
Synaptic Vesicles / ultrastructure
Torpedo

Substances

Calcium Channels
Membrane Proteins
Nerve Tissue Proteins
Neurotransmitter Agents