Vesicle cycle in the presynaptic nerve terminal
Zefirov, A.L.
Rossiiskii Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal Imeni I.M. Sechenova 93(5): 544-562
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0869-8139 PMID: 17650622 Document Number: 611379
Presynaptic nerve terminals contain a great number ofsynaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitter. The transmission of information in synapses is mediated by release of transmitter from vesicles: exocytosis, after their fusion with presynaptic membrane. At the functioning synapses, the continuous recycling of synaptic vesicles occurs (vesicle cycle), which provides multiple reuse of vesicular membrane material during synaptic activity. Vesicle cycle consists of large number of steps, including vesicle fusion--exocytosis, formation of new vesicles--endocytosis, vesicle sorting, filling of vesicles with transmitter, intraterminal vesicle transport driving the vesicles to different vesicle pools and preparing to next exocytic event. At this paper, I presented the latest literature and our data regarding the steps and mechanisms of vesicle cycle at synapses. Special attention was paid to neuromuscular synapse as the most thoroughly investigated and as my favorite preparation.