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Binding of synaptotagmin to the α-latrotoxin receptor implicates both in synaptic vesicle exocytosis

Binding of synaptotagmin to the α-latrotoxin receptor implicates both in synaptic vesicle exocytosis A VERTEBRATE neurotoxin, α-latrotoxin, from black widow spider venom causes synaptic vesicle exocytosis and neurotransmitter release from presynaptic nerve terminals11–4. Although the mechanism of action of α-latrotoxin is not known, it does require binding of α-latrotoxin to a high-affinity receptor on the presynaptic plasma membrane5. The α-latrotoxin receptor seems to be exclusively at the presynaptic plasmamembrane6. Here we report that the α-latrotoxin receptor specifically binds to a synaptic vesicle protein, synaptotagmin, and modulates its phosphorylation. Synaptotagmin is a synaptic vesicle-specific membrane protein that binds negatively charged phospholipids and contains two copies of a putative Ca2+-binding domain from protein kinase C (the C2-domain), suggesting a regulatory role in synaptic vesicle fusion7,8. Our findings suggest that a physiological role of the α-latrotoxin receptor may be the docking of synaptic vesicles at the active zone. The direct interaction of the α-latrotoxin receptor with a synaptic vesicle protein also suggests a mechanism of action for this toxin in causing neurotransmitter release. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Nature Springer Journals

Binding of synaptotagmin to the α-latrotoxin receptor implicates both in synaptic vesicle exocytosis

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References (19)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 by Nature Publishing Group
Subject
Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, multidisciplinary; Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, multidisciplinary; Science, multidisciplinary
ISSN
0028-0836
eISSN
1476-4687
DOI
10.1038/353065a0
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

A VERTEBRATE neurotoxin, α-latrotoxin, from black widow spider venom causes synaptic vesicle exocytosis and neurotransmitter release from presynaptic nerve terminals11–4. Although the mechanism of action of α-latrotoxin is not known, it does require binding of α-latrotoxin to a high-affinity receptor on the presynaptic plasma membrane5. The α-latrotoxin receptor seems to be exclusively at the presynaptic plasmamembrane6. Here we report that the α-latrotoxin receptor specifically binds to a synaptic vesicle protein, synaptotagmin, and modulates its phosphorylation. Synaptotagmin is a synaptic vesicle-specific membrane protein that binds negatively charged phospholipids and contains two copies of a putative Ca2+-binding domain from protein kinase C (the C2-domain), suggesting a regulatory role in synaptic vesicle fusion7,8. Our findings suggest that a physiological role of the α-latrotoxin receptor may be the docking of synaptic vesicles at the active zone. The direct interaction of the α-latrotoxin receptor with a synaptic vesicle protein also suggests a mechanism of action for this toxin in causing neurotransmitter release.

Journal

Nature – Springer Journals

Published: Sep 5, 1991

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