Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. The Architecture of the Presynaptic Release Site

   • R. Grace Zhai

   Pages 1-16

3. Multiple Modes of Fusion and Retrieval at the Calyx of Held Synapse

   • Liming He, Benjamin D. McNeil, Ling-Gang Wu

   Pages 17-34

4. Roles of SNARE Proteins in Synaptic Vesicle Fusion

   • Mark T. Palfreyman, Erik M. Jorgensen

   Pages 35-59

5. Roles and Sources of Calcium in Synaptic Exocytosis

   • Zhao-Wen Wang, Bojun Chen, Qian Ge

   Pages 61-84

6. Regulation of Presynaptic Calcium Channels

   • Allen W. Chan, Elise F. Stanley

   Pages 85-106

7. Synaptotagmin: Transducing Ca2+-Binding to Vesicle Fusion

   • Carin Loewen, Noreen Reist

   Pages 107-134

8. Functional Interactions Among the SNARE Regulators UNC-13, Tomosyn, and UNC-18

   • Robby M. Weimer, Janet E. Richmond

   Pages 135-156

9. Roles of the ELKS/CAST Family and SAD Kinase in Neurotransmitter Release

   • Toshihisa Ohtsuka, Yoshimi Takai

   Pages 157-170

10. The Role of Potassium Channels in the Regulation of Neurotransmitter Release

    • Laurence O. Trussell, Michael T. Roberts

    Pages 171-185

11. Modulation of Neurotransmitter Release and Presynaptic Plasticity by Protein Phosphorylation

    • Zu-Hang Sheng

    Pages 187-206

12. Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis

    • Liesbet Smitz, Patrik Verstreken

    Pages 207-238

13. Lipids and Secretory Vesicle Exocytosis

    • Shona L. Osborne, Frederic A. Meunier

    Pages 239-261

14. Neurotransmitter Reuptake and Synaptic Vesicle Refilling

    • Richard J. Reimer, Kimberly A. Zaia, Hiroaki Tani

    Pages 263-295

15. Regulation of Neurotransmitter Release by Presynaptic Receptors

    • Matthew Frerking, Joyce Wondolowski

    Pages 297-314

16. Transsynaptic Regulation of Presynaptic Release Machinery in Central Synapses by Cell Adhesion Molecules

    • Kensuke Futai, Yasunori Hayashi

    Pages 315-326

17. Differential Regulation of Small Clear Vesicles and Large Dense-Core Vesicles

    • Tao Xu, Pingyong Xu

    Pages 327-339

18. Back Matter

    Pages 341-347

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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.

• Chemical synapses
• Endocytosis
• Exocytosis
• Nervous System
• Neuroscience
• Neurotransmission
• Presynaptic receptors
• molecular mechanisms
• neurons

From the reviews: “Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release edited by Zhao Wen Wang provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the complex interactions occurring in pre synaptic neurons involved with chemical communication. … High quality illustrations a large number of which are in full color, support the information in the text … . This book is recommended for the researcher and student of neuroscience … . Neurology residents undergoing specialty training in neuromuscular disease will find this book to be an invaluable resource.” (Joseph Vito Russo, Medical Science Books, April, 2010)

• Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA

  Zhao-Wen Wang

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