Abstract
Synaptic vesicle recycling is essential for sustained and reliable neurotransmission. A key component of synaptic vesicle recycling is the synaptic vesicle biogenesis process that is observed in synapses and that maintains the molecular identity of synaptic vesicles. However, the mechanisms by which synaptic vesicles are retrieved and reconstituted after fusion remain unclear. The complex molecular composition of synaptic vesicles renders their rapid biogenesis a daunting task. Therefore, in this context, kiss-and-run type transient fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane without loss of their membrane composition and molecular identity remains a viable hypothesis that can account for the fidelity of the synaptic vesicle cycle. In this article, we discuss the biological implications of this problem as well as its possible molecular solutions.
Highlights
In presynaptic nerve terminals, neurotransmitters are packed into small membranous organelles called synaptic vesicles
When the action potential arrives at the terminal, voltage-gated calcium channels open and the resulting rise in intrasynaptic Ca2+ concentration leads to fusion of the synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane, releasing their content
Many pathways of synaptic vesicle recycling have been proposed; here, we discuss the current knowledge about their molecular mechanisms and implications for fast neurotransmission, based on the premise of molecular identity preservation after fusion
Summary
F1000 Faculty Reviews are written by members of the prestigious F1000 Faculty. They are commissioned and are peer reviewed before publication to ensure that the final, published version is comprehensive and accessible. The reviewers who approved the final version are listed with their names and affiliations. Any comments on the article can be found at the end of the article
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