In this cutting-edge book, leading experts provide concise, up-to-date information on all major molecular mechanisms involved in neurotransmitter release. Complete background information is provided, along with figures and diagrams.

Neurons in the nervous system organize into complex networks and their functions are precisely controlled. The most important means for neurons to communicate with each other is transmission through chemical synapses, where the release of neurotransmitters by the presynaptic nerve terminal of one neuron influences the function of a second neuron. Since the discovery of chemical neurotransmission by Otto Loewi in the 1920s, great progress has been made in our understanding of mol- ular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. The last decade has seen an explosion of knowledge in this field. The aim of Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release is to provide up-to-date, in-depth coverage of essentially all major mole- lar mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. The contributors have made great efforts to write concisely but with sufficient background information, and to use figures/diagrams to present clearly key concepts or experiments. It is hoped that this book may serve as a learning tool for neuroscience students, a solid reference for neuroscientists, and a source of knowledge for people who have a general interest in neuroscience. I was fortunate to be able to gather contributions from a group of outstanding scientists. I thank them for their efforts. In particular, I want to thank Dr. Erik Jorgensen who offered valuable suggestions about the book in addition to contrib- ing an excellent chapter. I thank US National Science Foundation and National Institute of Health for their supports.

Up-to-date, systematic, and in-depth reviews on molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release

Sufficient background information to suit a broad readership

List of comprehensive index words for easy look-up

Diagrams and figures in enclosed CD for use in teaching

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Klappentext

Within the complex neuronal network of the nervous system, neuron-to-neuron communication occurs mainly through chemical synapses, where the presynaptic nerve terminal releases neurotransmitters that control the function of postsynaptic neurons by acting on postsynaptic receptors. Recent decades have brought groundbreaking new developments and a wealth of knowledge to this field. In Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release, leading experts provide concise, up-to-date information on all major molecular mechanisms involved, with complete background information and figures and diagrams to further elucidate key concepts or experiments.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release is sure to provide a learning tool for neuroscience students, a solid reference for neuroscientists, and a source of knowledge for all those who have a general interest in the ever-evolving field of neuroscience.

Inhalt

1. The Architecture of the Presynaptic Release Site R. Grace Zhai 2. Multiple modes of fusion and retrieval at the calyx of Held synapse Liming He, Benjamin McNeil, and Ling-Gang Wu 3. Roles of SNARE proteins in synaptic vesicle fusion Mark T. Palfreyman and Erik M. Jorgensen 4. Roles and sources of calcium in synaptic exocytosis Zhao-Wen Wang, Bojun Chen, Qian Ge 5. Regulation of presynaptic calcium channels Allen W. Chan and Elise F. Stanley 6. Synaptotagmin: transducing Ca2+-binding to vesicle fusion Carin Loewen and Noreen Reist 7. Functional interactions between the SNARE regulators UNC-13, tomosyn and UNC-18 Robby M. Weimer and Janet E. Richmond 8. Roles of the ELKS/CAST family and SAD kinase in Neurotransmitter Release Toshihisa Ohtsuka and Yoshimi Takai 9. The role of potassium channels in the regulation of neurotransmitter release. Laurence O. Trussell and Michael T. Roberts 10. Modulation of neurotransmitter release and presynaptic plasticity by protein phosphorylation Zu-Hang Sheng 11. Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis Liesbet Smitz and Patrik Verstreken 12. Lipids and secretory vesicle exocytosis Shona L. Osborne and Frederic A. Meunier 13. Neurotransmitter reuptake and synaptic vesicle refilling Richard J. Reimer*, Kimberly A. Zaia, and Hiroaki Tani 14. Regulation of neurotransmitter release by presynaptic receptors Matthew Frerking, and Joyce Wondolowski 15. Trans-synaptic regulation of presynaptic release machinery in central synapses by cell adhesion molecules Kensuke Futai and Yasunori Hayashi 16. Differential regulation of small clear vesicles and large dense-core vesicles Tao Xu and Pingyong Xu