Neurotransmitter ReleaseHugo J. Bellen Understanding the mechanisms that underlie brain activity and function remains one of the major frontiers of biology. All the processes of how we co-ordinate our movements, sense our surroundings, react to stimuli and learn and retain information rely on complicated networks of neurons thatcommunicate with each other and their targets. This fast and accurate intercellular signalling most occurs at synapses, specialized processes of neurons that release chemical signals, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters: Frontiers in Molecular Biology will provide the reader withextensive background information on neurotransmitter release. It takes a multidisciplinary approach, but does not assume previous knowledge having basic introductions to most topics. Topics however are covered in enough detail to be of interest to experts in the field. Throughout, emphasis is placedon the rationale by which proteins are assigned specific functions rather than just providing facts about function. The first chapter provides an introduction to the basic features and properties of the synapse and is followed by a chapter detailing several important techniques used to elucidatevarious aspects of release. Chapters 3 describes many of the biochemical approaches used to identify proteins involved in neurotransmitter release and then chapters 4 and 5 focus on more specific aspects of synaptic transmission: the proteins that transport neurotransmitters and the role ofphosphlipids in the process. The next five chapters concentrate on approaches to unravel the function of many proteins in vivo by using toxins, giant squid axons, C. elegans, Drosophila, and mice. The final chapter summarizes current knowledge on endocytosis and recycling. Knowledge of themolecular mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter release has expanded tremendously over the last 10 years. Many of the proteins involved have been isolated, but their roles have yet to be determined. These discoveries will be a major challenge and it is therefore the major aim of this book not onlyto provide information but also to generate excitement. |
Contents
Ca2+ imaging | 4 |
Development of the nerve terminal | 24 |
Contributors | 28 |
Copyright | |
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Acad active zones analysis antibodies axon binding biochemical brain Ca² Ca2+ Caenorhabditis elegans calcium channels Cell Biol Chem chromaffin cells clathrin cloning components core complex cytoplasmic defects docking domain dopamine Drosophila dyes dynamin encoding endocytosis endosomes exocytosis exocytotic expression fluorescence function fusion pore GABA gene genetic glutamate transporter Golgi homologue inhibition interactions intracellular kinase lipid mammalian mechanisms mediate membrane capacitance membrane fusion membrane proteins mice microscopy molecular molecules monoamine transporter mutants Natl nerve terminal neuromuscular junction neurons Neurosci neurotoxins neurotransmitter release neurotransmitter transporters pathway peptide phenotype phosphoinositides phosphorylation plasma membrane postsynaptic potential presynaptic terminal Proc quantal Rab3a receptor regulation role Scheller secretory granule secretory vesicles sequence serotonin signal SNARE complex specific structure studies substrate Südhof suggesting synapsin synaptic transmission synaptic vesicle synaptic vesicle proteins synaptobrevin synaptotagmin syntaxin target toxin transmitter release uptake VAMP vesicle fusion vesicle recycling vesicular yeast