CGC Bibliography Paper 5058

Regulation of transmitter release by Unc-13 and its homologues.

Brose N, Rosenmund C, Rettig J

Medline:

Citation:

Current Opinion in Neurobiology 10: 303-311 2000

Type:

REVIEW

Genes:

unc-13

Abstract:

Neurotransmitters are released by Ca2+-triggered exocytotic fusion of synaptic vesicles. Before fusion, vesicles dock at a specialised presynaptic plasma membrane region, the active zone, where they are primed to a fusion competent state. The nature of this priming reaction has long been enigmatic. Recent evidence demonstrates that priming is an essential and rate-limiting step in secretion from neurons and neuroendocrine cells. Members of the UNc-13 protein family, which are highly conserved during evolution and act as novel targets of the diacylglycerol second-messenger pathway, have been identified to play an essential role in this process.