How does calcium trigger neurotransmitter release?

Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2001 Jun;11(3):320-6. doi: 10.1016/s0959-4388(00)00214-2.

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

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / physiology
  • Calcium Channels / physiology
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins*
  • Exocytosis / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Ion Transport
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Nerve Endings / physiology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Presynaptic / physiology
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
  • Synaptic Vesicles / physiology
  • Synaptotagmins

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Receptors, Presynaptic
  • Synaptotagmins
  • Calcium