Synaptotagmin-1 and -7 are functionally overlapping Ca2+ sensors for exocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Mar 11;105(10):3998-4003. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0712373105. Epub 2008 Feb 28.

Abstract

Synaptotagmin-1, the canonical isoform of the synaptotagmin family, is a Ca(2+) sensor for fast synchronous neurotransmitter release in forebrain neurons and chromaffin cells. Even though deletion of synaptotagmin-1 abolishes fast exocytosis in chromaffin cells, it reduces overall secretion by only 20% because of the persistence of slow exocytosis. Therefore, another Ca(2+) sensor dominates release in these cells. Synaptotagmin-7 has a higher Ca(2+) affinity and slower binding kinetics than synaptotagmin-1, matching the proposed properties for the second, slower Ca(2+) sensor. Here, we examined Ca(2+)-triggered exocytosis in chromaffin cells from KO mice lacking synaptotagmin-7, and from knockin mice containing normal levels of a mutant synaptotagmin-7 whose C(2)B domain does not bind Ca(2+). In both types of mutant chromaffin cells, Ca(2+)-triggered exocytosis was decreased dramatically. Moreover, in chromaffin cells lacking both synaptotagmin-1 and -7, only a very slow release component, accounting for approximately 30% of WT exocytosis, persisted. These data establish synaptotagmin-7 as a major Ca(2+) sensor for exocytosis in chromaffin cells, which, together with synaptotagmin-1, mediates almost all of the Ca(2+) triggering of exocytosis in these cells, a surprising result, considering the lack of a role of synaptotagmin-7 in synaptic vesicle exocytosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / cytology*
  • Adrenal Glands / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Chromaffin Cells / cytology
  • Chromaffin Cells / metabolism*
  • Exocytosis*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Kinetics
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Synaptotagmin I / metabolism*
  • Synaptotagmins / chemistry
  • Synaptotagmins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Synaptotagmin I
  • Synaptotagmins
  • Calcium