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Reciprocal regulation of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels by SNAP-25, syntaxin and synaptotagmin

Nature Neuroscience volume 2, pages 939–941 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

Rapid synaptic transmission requires close proximity of docked neurotransmitter-containing synaptic vesicles and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels at presynaptic active zones. Here we show that the plasma membrane SNARE protein SNAP-25 specifically inhibited the activity of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels, and formation of a mature SNARE complex containing syntaxin and synaptotagmin reactivated them. In a nerve terminal, this mechanism would ensure that Ca2+ entry through P/Q-type Ca2+ channels occurs primarily near active zones with docked synaptic vesicles and efficiently evokes neurotransmitter release.

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Figure 1: Modulation of P/Q-type Ca2+-channel activity by SNARE proteins.
Figure 2: Effects of SNAP-25 with or without syntaxin, synaptotagmin or VAMP on the voltage-dependent inactivation of Ca2+ channels.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by NIH research grant NS22625 to W.A.C. and a postdoctoral research fellowship from the Medical Research Council of Canada to H.Z.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Mailstop 357280, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195-7280, Washington, USA

    Huijun Zhong, Charles T. Yokoyama, Todd Scheuer & William A. Catterall

  2. Graduate Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, Mailstop 357280, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195-7280, Washington, USA

    Charles T. Yokoyama

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  1. Huijun Zhong
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  2. Charles T. Yokoyama
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  4. William A. Catterall
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Correspondence to William A. Catterall.

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Zhong, H., Yokoyama, C., Scheuer, T. et al. Reciprocal regulation of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels by SNAP-25, syntaxin and synaptotagmin. Nat Neurosci 2, 939–941 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/14721

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