Abstract
Recent work has established that different geometric arrangements of calcium channels are found at different presynaptic terminals, leading to a wide spectrum of calcium signals for triggering neurotransmitter release. These calcium signals are apparently transduced by synaptotagmins - calcium-binding proteins found in synaptic vesicles. New biochemical results indicate that all synaptotagmins undergo calcium-dependent interactions with membrane lipids and a number of other presynaptic proteins, but which of these interactions is responsible for calcium-triggered transmitter release remains unclear.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Calcium / physiology
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Calcium Channels / physiology
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Calcium Signaling / physiology*
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Calcium-Binding Proteins*
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Exocytosis / physiology*
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Humans
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Ion Transport
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Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
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Nerve Endings / physiology
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology
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Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism*
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Receptors, Presynaptic / physiology
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Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
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Synaptic Vesicles / physiology
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Synaptotagmins
Substances
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Calcium Channels
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Calcium-Binding Proteins
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Neurotransmitter Agents
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Receptors, Presynaptic
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Synaptotagmins
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Calcium