Cysteine strings, calcium channels and synaptic transmission

摘要

AbstractMultidisciplinary studies have led to the discovery and characterization of cysteine string proteins (csps) in bothDrosophilaandTorpedo.Phenotypic analysis ofcspmutants inDrosophilademonstrates a crucial role for csp in synaptic transmission. Expression studies ofTorpedocsp (Tcsp) inXenopusoocytes suggests that the protein has some role in the function of presynaptic Ca2+channels. However, biochemical purification of Tcsp indicates that is associated with synaptic vesicles rather than with the plasma membrane of presynaptic terminals where Ca2+channels reside. These results suggest a model in which csps serve as a link by which docked synaptic vesicles could modulate the activity of presynaptic Ca2+channels.