CAST and ELKS are major components of the presynaptic active zones of neurons in the central nervous system, but it remains elusive whether CAST and ELKS are also components of synapses in the peripheral nervous system. Here, we have attempted to examine their expression and localization at the synapses of neuromuscular junctions. Immunoreactivity for ELKS is partly colocalized with that for the major neuromuscular junctions marker alpha-bungarotoxin, which binds to acetylcholine receptors. Moreover, another active zone protein, Piccolo, is also present at neuromuscular junctions, together with ELKS, whereas CAST is not found. These results suggest that at least ELKS and Piccolo, but not CAST, are components of neuromuscular junction synapses in the peripheral nervous system.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/WNR.0b013e3280287abe | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
FMR1 genetically interacts with DISC1 to regulate glutamatergic synaptogenesis.
Schizophrenia (Heidelb)
November 2024
Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
Synaptic development and functions have been hypothesized as crucial mechanisms of diverse neuropsychiatric disorders. Studies in past years suggest that mutations in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) are associated with diverse mental disorders including intellectual disability, autistic spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia. In this study, we have examined genetical interactions between a select set of risk factor genes using fruit flies to find that dfmr1, the Drosophila homolog of the human FMR1 gene, exhibits functional interactions with DISC1 in synaptic development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCa channel and active zone protein abundance intersects with input-specific synapse organization to shape functional synaptic diversity.
Elife
September 2024
Neuroscience Graduate Training Program, Brown University, Providence, United States.
Article Synopsis
- Synaptic heterogeneity is essential for complex communication in neural circuits, and understanding it requires examining factors like voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) characteristics.
- The study reveals that VGCC abundance significantly predicts the variability in neurotransmitter release probabilities among synapses but not between different types of synapses.
- Additionally, the research shows that key VGCC regulators, Straightjacket and Bruchpilot, have lower levels at high-probability synapses, yet their abundance correlates with stronger neurotransmitter release, indicating a complex interplay between VGCCs and synaptic function.
The neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor signals independently of Bruchpilot-labelled active zones in daily remodelled terminals of Drosophila clock neurons.
Eur J Neurosci
May 2024
Biocenter, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Neurobiology and Genetics, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
The small ventrolateral neurons (sLNvs) are key components of the central clock in the Drosophila brain. They signal via the neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) to align the molecular clockwork of different central clock neurons and to modulate downstream circuits. The dorsal terminals of the sLNvs undergo daily morphological changes that affect presynaptic sites organised by the active zone protein Bruchpilot (BRP), a homolog of mammalian ELKS proteins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSuccessful Crizotinib-targeted Therapy of Pediatric Unresectable ERC1::ALK Fusion Sarcoma.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol
March 2024
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey.
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK )-fusion sarcomas are rare part of the emerging theoretically targetable tyrosine kinase RAS::MAPK pathway fusion myopericytic-ovoid sarcomas. We report our clinicopathologic and treatment experience with an ALK fusion sarcoma. A novel ELKS/RAB6-interacting/CAST family member 1 - unaligned ALK fusion infiltrative nonmetastatic low-grade sarcoma of the right hand of a 15-month-old male was treated with crizotinib, an ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor as oral monotherapy, inducing complete radiographic and clinical resolution by 10 months and sustained response now over 12 months after elective discontinuation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe role of RIM in neurotransmitter release: promotion of synaptic vesicle docking, priming, and fusion.
Front Neurosci
April 2023
Emergency Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
There are many special sites at the end of a synapse called active zones (AZs). Synaptic vesicles (SVs) fuse with presynaptic membranes at these sites, and this fusion is an important step in neurotransmitter release. The cytomatrix in the active zone (CAZ) is made up of proteins such as the regulating synaptic membrane exocytosis protein (RIM), RIM-binding proteins (RIM-BPs), ELKS/CAST, Bassoon/Piccolo, Liprin-α, and Munc13-1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!