Pleomorphic linkers as ubiquitous structural organizers of vesicles in axons

PLoS One. 2018 Jun 4;13(6):e0197886. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197886. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Many cellular processes depend on a precise structural organization of molecular components. Here, we established that neurons grown in culture provide a suitable system for in situ structural investigations of cellular structures by cryo-electron tomography, a method that allows high resolution, three-dimensional imaging of fully hydrated, vitrified cellular samples. A higher level of detail of cellular components present in our images allowed us to quantitatively characterize presynaptic and cytoskeletal organization, as well as structures involved in axonal transport and endocytosis. In this way we provide a structural framework into which information from other methods need to fit. Importantly, we show that short pleomorphic linkers (tethers and connectors) extensively interconnect different types of spherical vesicles and other lipid membranes in neurons imaged in a close-to-native state. These linkers likely serve to organize and precisely position vesicles involved in endocytosis, axonal transport and synaptic release. Hence, structural interactions via short linkers may serve as ubiquitous vesicle organizers in neuronal cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism*
  • Axons / ultrastructure
  • Biological Transport
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Nerve Net / cytology*
  • Nerve Net / ultrastructure
  • Rats
  • Synaptic Vesicles / metabolism*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Marie Curie fellowship, recipient DV. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.