Mass Spectrometry Reveals Activity Dependent Release of Protein Fragments at the Synapse

摘要

Activity-dependent changes occurring at neuronal synapses, a form of plasticity, are an important process involved in learning and memory. To understand the nature of signals transmitted across the synapse, we identify and characterize peptides released from the synapse. Compared to the information on classical neurotransmitters, little is known about the signaling peptide complement of synaptic releasates. Here we collect synaptic release from a synaptoneurosomes preparation; synaptoneurosomes are purified synapses with pre- and post-synaptic compartments pinched-off and resealed. We use LC-MS to characterize the peptides in the releasates. In addition to known neuropeptides, we detect peptides derived from structural proteins that are released in an activity-dependent manner.