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Structure, isolation, composition and reconstitution of the neuronal fusion pore
Author(s) -
Cho Won Jin,
Jeremic Aleksandar,
Rognlien Kathy T.,
Zhvania Mzia G.,
Lazrishvili Ilia,
Tamar Bikashvili,
Jena Bhanu P.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
cell biology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1095-8355
pISSN - 1065-6995
DOI - 10.1016/j.cellbi.2004.07.004
Subject(s) - isolation (microbiology) , fusion , composition (language) , chemistry , biology , biophysics , microbiology and biotechnology , art , philosophy , linguistics , literature
Neuronal communication is dependent on the fusion of 40–50 nm in diameter synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters, at the presynaptic membrane. Here we report for the first time at 5–8 Å resolution, the presence of 8–10 nm in diameter cup‐shaped neuronal fusion pores or porosomes at the presynaptic membrane, where synaptic vesicles dock and fuse to release neurotransmitters. The structure, isolation, composition, and functional reconstitution of porosomes present at the nerve terminal are described. These findings reveal the molecular mechanism of neurotransmitter release at the presynaptic membrane of nerve terminals.